In a mere 17 seconds, Australia's dream of achieving a clean sweep at UFC 290 was mercilessly shattered.
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In a mere 17 seconds, Australia’s dream of achieving a clean sweep at UFC 290, accompanied by the potential for a Monday public holiday, was mercilessly shattered. Shannon Ross, the Gold Coast flyweight, suffered one of the swiftest knockouts in UFC history, extinguishing any hopes of an Australian triumph.
Among the quartet of Australian fighters participating in the highly anticipated UFC 290 event held in Las Vegas, where UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was slated to headline, Shannon Ross endured a crushing defeat early in the evening. In a momentous blow delivered by Jesus Aguilar during the second bout of the night, Ross was swiftly vanquished in the opening round.
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With a devastating overhand right, the Mexican fighter unleashed a merciless blow that not only knocked out Ross but also left him sprawled on the Octagon canvas for an extended period, completely incapacitated.
In a stroke of resilience, the courageous fighter, renowned for his remarkable journey into the UFC despite battling a burst appendix, managed to recuperate. By the time he exited the cage, he found himself gazing upward at the replay of the fateful punch that brought about his defeat, displayed prominently on the grand screen, a testament to his unwavering spirit.
In the days leading up to the event, Australian Paralympian Dylan Alcott, serving in Las Vegas for Kayo Sports, reached out to UFC President Dana White, making a bold request. Alcott proposed that if all four Australian fighters emerged victorious on Sunday, should Prime Minister Anthony Albanese consider declaring a public holiday Down Under.
“I don’t think he gives a s … what I think to be honest,” White said. “But sounds good to me.”
In a challenging beginning for the Australian contingent, Ross faced his second defeat in the UFC. Despite a noteworthy performance within the Australian circuit, the Gold Coast mechanic achieved recognition by earning a contract on The Contender Series, even amidst a TKO loss to Vinicius Salvador, where Ross later disclosed that he had fought with appendicitis.
Upon learning of Ross’s ordeal, White promptly offered him a contract, showcasing faith in his abilities. Nevertheless, Ross encountered a setback in his debut, enduring a 59-second knockout loss at the hands of Kleydson Rodrigues.
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