Deontay Wilder truly only needs one.
This past weekend, Wilder, 36, returned to the ring with intentions to rebound off his first career losing streak in his second and third matches against Tyson Fury. To say Wilder did just that would be putting it mildly.
Needing only a single round to get the job done, Wilder put Robert Helenius’ lights out in vintage fashion. Of Wilder’s 43 career victories as a pro boxer, this knockout scored a wild 42nd. The loss was Helenius’ first since July 2019 when he fell short against Gerald Washington.
Despite being a consistent fan of Wilder’s, longtime UFC commentator and boxing fan Joe Rogan was still blown away by the performance. When most think about heavyweight boxers and the most dangerous of all-time, Mike Tyson is generally among the very first names mentioned, and arguably the best. For Rogan, he believes Wilder now stands alone atop the mountain.
“It’s absolutely f****** amazing the power that [Wilder] can generate,” Rogan said on Instagram. “He’s truly unlike anyone I’ve ever seen in the history of the heavyweight division. You can make no mistakes with this man. There have been many incredible KO artists in the history of boxing, but for my money, he’s the most impressive. If you look at this punch it wasn’t even with full leverage and his opponent instantly shuts off. It’s what the great Firas Zahabi calls ‘the touch of death.’”
The knockout was particularly nasty due to its immediate aftermath. Helenius stiffened up as soon as the shot landed, falling to the floor wide-eyed. It was such a scene that a tearful Wilder admitted after the match that he had great concern for his opponent. Helenius took to social media on Sunday to share that he didn’t suffer any serious damage, but Wilder wished him all the best for his long-term health.
TOP STORIES
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Travel. Paul Felder replaces Joe Rogan on broadcast team for international card at UFC 280
Update. UFC now prohibits fighters from betting on UFC fights in Code of Conduct change
Beef. Jorge Masvidal calls for Leon Edwards to ‘step up to the f****** plate’ to settle rivalry, Edwards responds
Team. Coach: Islam Makhachev ‘never wanted to be’ Khabib Nurmagomedov, was never following in his footsteps
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 280 Embedded 1.
UFC 280 Preview.
Sterling watches Volk.
Oliveira breakdown.
UFC 280 Betting Insight.
MOST Brutal Knockouts | TOP BELLATOR MMA Moments – Part 1
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Fly-by.
Team @MAKHACHEVMMA passes by team @CharlesDoBronxs as they check in to Abu Dhabi hotel #UFC280 pic.twitter.com/ezEI3t81v5
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 17, 2022
Soon.
Mi SOON COME pic.twitter.com/lZPmZ0h56u
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) October 17, 2022
Any and all Aleksander damage is approved.
Aleksander Emelianenko got his rematch with Datsik at Hardcore Boxing conference. Vyacheslav was NOT playing pic.twitter.com/GihSNA1nEX
— Matysek (@Matysek88) October 17, 2022
Youch.
I’m a massive Bibert stan, but this was just cool af from Omarov.
Big DC-Hendo vibes. pic.twitter.com/9aPXOnKqgY
— UsykBastard (@RyanThomasMMA) October 17, 2022
Score.
Big Pace turned up with 5 boiled eggs and a yorkie bar for the road trip today, lovely
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) October 17, 2022
K-1 Carmouche.
makes her first defense. @IAmGirlRilla puts the Flyweight title on the line in a highly-anticipated rematch against @JuVelasquezMMA.
#Bellator289 | Friday, December 9th | The @MoheganSun pic.twitter.com/F6F4d1nK4e
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) October 17, 2022
Rewarded.
The journey is the reward. pic.twitter.com/06iyrCjIeM
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) October 17, 2022
A UFC birthday trifecta.
@CharlesDoBronxs @LukeRockhold @HollyHolm pic.twitter.com/Qci0bEHWSf
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 17, 2022
What can’t a Shevchenko do?
How do I look in my new uniform? @flytradewind Pilatus #PC12 pilot ✈️
Моя новая униформа ❤️✈️
Пилот самолета #Пилатус PC12 pic.twitter.com/d87cc4OyE5— Antonina Shevchenko (@AntoninaPantera) October 16, 2022
We’ll see…
There goes some fun money I have some betting sponsors let’s hope this doesn’t change their mind… https://t.co/o3H2YvwjoZ
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) October 18, 2022
Moving back.
Check the mail, bro?
Another @usantidoping test done today! I’m pretty sure it’s was number 50th where’s my jacket at @JeffNovitzkyUFC ??
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 17, 2022
They come hand in hand.
“You never fight”
*Had 4 fights in 12 months then got injured*We have the best fans, but we also have the worst. Some of you guys are so ignorant
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) October 18, 2022
It continues.
Not a rivalry. 2-0. https://t.co/rOMZPUefgO
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) October 17, 2022
♀️ weren’t the first two fights free too?!
— Cris Cyborg 1-0 boxer (@criscyborg) October 18, 2022
Charles.
— Charles ‘DoBronxs’ Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) October 17, 2022
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t really have a say in that debate, but 42 knockouts in 43 wins is a pretty insane fact. Not that Tyson wasn’t pretty similar.
Thanks for reading!
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 78% of 292 total votes answered “Alexa Grasso” when asked, “Who wins tomorrow?” Grasso def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision in UFC Vegas 62’s main event.
Thursday: 65% of 373 total votes answered “Askar Askarov” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Askarov vs. Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 62 was canceled due to weight issues on Askarov’s end.
Wednesday: 55% of 747 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Would you watch a Matt Riddle vs. Jon Jones trilogy wrestling match?”
Tuesday: 56% of 809 total votes answered “Petr Yan vs. Sean O’Malley” when asked, “Which fight are you more intered in at UFC 280?” The co-main event features bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling defending against TJ Dillashaw.
Monday: 88% of 527 total votes answered “Shane Burgos” when asked, “Who wins?” Burgos faces Marlon Moraes at the 2022 PFL Championship on Nov. 25.
Today’s exit poll:
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