There’s no denying just how spectacular Joaquin Buckley’s spinning back kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay truly was at UFC on ESPN+ 37. The UFC’s official Twitter account dubbed it “the most unbelievable KO” in the history of the promotion. And many fans and media types alike already consider it simply the greatest knockout in UFC history, although that’s up for debate.
One prominent media personality who didn’t completely appreciate Buckley’s remarkable move, however, was ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt. According to The Athletic managing editor Greg Rosenstein late Saturday night, Van Pelt had this to say in a sarcastic tone while showing the highlight on ESPN’s flagship “SportsCenter”:
“I get that people love it. … I don’t. I don’t love that. The guy is out! Mashes his head on the ground! Yay!”
In case you’ve been living under a rock the past 36-plus hours, here’s the clip of the knockout:
THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE KO IN UFC HISTORY
#UFCFightIsland5 pic.twitter.com/O7BOJg8h9c
— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
Probably not surprising, but MMA Twitter didn’t react kindly to Van Pelt’s reaction to the brutal nature of Buckley’s incredible finish. Some folks seemed to think Van Pelt should have only positive things to say about the UFC since ESPN is the promotion’s programming partner (which is a ridiculous take BTW). Others, however, called Van Pelt a hypocrite since he loves the NFL and by default – at least to some degree – accepts football’s disturbing concussion history. They also wondered if he’d feel compelled to say something similar about a brutal boxing knockout.
To his credit, Van Pelt answered quite a few folks on Twitter, and here’s a sampling of what he had to say:
Luke, the sport has grown on me and the people in the sport are compelling as hell. I was talking only about the sight of a man out on his feet falling and hitting his head.
Being called a bitch all morning is par for the course. It’s a passionate fan base.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
it’s twitter. You get what you get. It was a tremendous KO, no doubt.
“What about football?”
There is a reason segments like Jacked Up long ago went away. It’s still violent, but the highlight of an unconscious player wouldn’t be shown like it was something to be celebrated.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
MMA Ko’s are acceptable. I thought last nights fall was unusual. There is a reason everyone is freaking out about it. It was an incredible KO. You don’t often see a man truly out like that. But, to your point, last weeks Baranachyk fall was bad/scary and he was in more distress.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
t’s true. I said that. Now, show the 3 minute dance he did prior to that that lead to us laughing at the KO.
But – You’re right. I said it.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
Because he danced and clowned like his opponent wasn’t worthy of any respect and then he got KO-ed.
Your point is a fair one. I laughed at one and not the other. But when you present them without showing the lead up to Uzzy, as if there were presented the same, it’s not.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
We have covered that here. Yep. Uzzzy Ahmed danced around like a clown for three minutes inches ring into then got knocked out in seconds and I laughed. That happened.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
This is well put.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 11, 2020
There are plenty more responses to check out if you go to his tweets & replies.
To his credit, Van Pelt didn’t hide from the MMA Twitter mob, which, at least in some cases, made some good points that at least seemed to get Van Pelt thinking – and even agreeing in some cases.
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