Noad Lahat seemed ready to cruise to an easy win over Diego Rivas at UFC Fight Night 82 on Saturday. The Israeli was absolutely in control in the first round, taking his opponent down at will and comfortably moving from dominant position to dominant position. He spent more than four out of five minutes controlling Rivas, and there was little reason to expect anything different.
When the second round started, Lahat had reason to be confident. He had tested Rivas' ground game thoroughly and found it wanting. All he needed was another takedown, and victory would be all but assured.
He bent over for another takedown and...well, check out the video, via UFC on Fox Sports:
FLYING KNEE KO! What a knockout by Diego Rivas! #UFCVegas https://t.co/7bMCtKEpbU
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 7, 2016
Rivas was clearly expecting the double-leg attempt and perfectly timed a flying knee during Lahat's entry. The knee landed with an audible thud and left Lahat completely unconscious on impact. He would lie on the mat for an eerily long time, with media in attendance describing the sight on Twitter.
"This isn't good. Lahat is still out. EMT attending. They are bringing out a stretcher," wrote Bleacher Report's own Jeremy Botter.
"Lahat is on his back and is kicking reflexively," tweeted Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports. "The people helping him, including inspectors from commission, are trying to hold him down."
According to Iole, Lahat would get back to his feet and make his way to the locker room with the help of his corner. He would later be transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons, according to UFC Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler:
Update: Noad Lahat has been transported to local hospital for precautionary purposes. Left under his own power. Keep you posted.
— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) February 7, 2016
We'll update this post with more news on Lahat's condition as it breaks.
