Japanese kickboxer Taimu Hisai pulled off one of the greatest knockouts in the entire sport of MMA. On his Knock Out 2024 vol.3 clash against Chuut Seryvanthong, the 18-year-old spectacularly knocked out his opponent with a rolling thunder kick. this move, of course, is one of the rarest in all of combat sports and involves a fighter doing a front flip and catching their opponent’s chin with their heel.

The Japanese fighter did this in the very first round of his contest with Seryvanthong. Seryvanthong could be seen trying to close the distance, with Hisai trying to put some distance between them with a front kick. With ten seconds to go in the round, the Cambodian tries to catch Hisai with a combination, leaving his chin open.

This gives the 18-year-old the opening, on which the Japanese fighter capitalized, pulling off a perfect rolling thunder kick, immediately sleeping the Cambodian. Fans will remember former BMF champion Justin Gaethje trying to pull off the move in his first, legendary clash with Dustin Poirier six years ago.

While ‘The Human Highlight’ didn’t quite manage to pull off the move, Hisai has been luckier. Unsurprisingly, Hisai’s fantastic knockout has gone viral on combat sports internet, and fans can’t stop praising it.

Fans react to Taimu Hisai KO-ing opponent with a rolling thunder kick

One fan felt that what Hisai had managed to pull off was straight out of a video game, so spectacular was the move: “My man really pulled off a mortal Kombat finisher.” Another fan unequivocally termed it the best finish of the year, comparing the Japanese fighter’s heroics with what Gaethje had attempted against Poirier: “Knockout of the year … Dude pulled a Gaethje”

Another fan felt that ‘The Human Highlight’ must be exasparated at seeing the move pulled off successfully: “Justin Gaethje is punching the air rn.” One fan couldn’t help but marvel at how far the sport of MMA had evolved with such acrobatic moves increasingly becoming a regular part of the sport: “MMA getting taken into another realm. Can’t wait to see someone pull that off in the UFC.”

Another fan felt that despite the move failing in his fight against Poirier, Justin Gaethje should have tried a rolling thunder kick in his UFC 300 epic clash against Max Holloway: “Justin Gaethje should’ve done this in the brawl with Max Holloway.” One fan was struck at the courage and self-belief it must have taken to even try to pull off the move: “You gotta respect the balls to even attempt ts.” What are your thoughts on the rolling thunder knockout?