'KO of the year': UFC world erupts over 'face kick from hell'

The UFC is a brutal championship, and Chilean fighter Ignacio Bahamondes proved exactly how brutal it can be with a painful knockout in the UFC Contenders series.

The 23-year-old dropped opponent Edson Gomez with a vicious kick to the face, which ESPN later described as a ‘face kick from hell’, in the second round of their bout on Thursday.

HILARIOUS: Donald Trump's embarrassing Ronda Rousey gaffe

‘NO SURVIVING THAT’: Boxing world erupts over KO

BRUTAL: Aussie boxer cops insane KO from Japanese 'beast'

Bahamondes had dominated the first round and didn’t let up in the second, with Gomez lowering his head in a bid to protect himself from the series of blows being rained upon him by his Chilean rival.

That decision was his undoing though, as his bid to withstand the punches left him wide open for a kick from Bahamondes, which he delivered with ruthless precision.

His chances of landing a coveted UFC contract were done plenty of favours with the impressive performance, which came on the same night New Zealand UFC hopeful Carlos Ulberg won his way into the big leagues.

Ulberg proved too strong for Brazilian light-heavyweight Bruno Oliveira, dropping him to the floor with a vicious combo that ended the fight in the blink of an eye.

Emotional scenes after UFC legend's final fight

UFC fighter Uriah Hall’s bout against MMA legend Anderson Silva ended in highly emotional scenes as both fighters dropped to their knees after Hall earned a stoppage victory at UFC Vegas 12.

The 36-year-old Hall had too much in the tank for the 45-year-old Silva, who returned to the octagon for his first fight after an 18-month hiatus - but it was an emotional victory for the middleweight fighter and many other in attendance.

Hall shared an intense moment with Silva in the immediate moments after the fight, with both fighters on their knees.

“I love you, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” Hall could be heard saying to Silva, through tears.

“You’re the reason why I’m doing this. Thank you so much. You’re still one of the greatest.”

Still on the mat, Silva gave his opponent some words of encouragement before leaving the ring.

“You have everything...you have time, just do it, do your best. Thank you so much. Enjoy your moment today, alright?” Silva told Hall.

“Thank you so much. It’s so cool, I love you. Thank you for doing this for me. Thank you so much.”

There was a similarly emotional outpouring of support for Silva from others at the venue, including the likes of Israel Adesanya, who shook hands with Silva after the fight.

Silva called the fight his ‘final show’ but would not confirm his retirement after the fight.