UFC 129 Results: Lyoto Machida Uses Karate Kid’s Crane Kick, Knocks Out Randy Couture

Lyoto Machida KO's Randy Couture with a tremendous kick at UFC 129

Lyoto Machida pulled something out of a movie and landed a perfect crane kick, knocking out Randy Couture in the second round of their fight at UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields.

“The Karate Kid,” Machida, ended the fight and Couture’s career with quite the impact in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Couture and Machida started with the two fighters measuring distance. At a minute in, Randy came in and got tagged with a Machida punch. The more Couture came in, the more Machida tried to counter. Just after the halfway point of the round, Machida landed a nice right hand. Later, Machida landed a solid knee as Couture shot in for a clinch. The final minute had Randy shooting in for another clinch against the cage, but Machida sliped out and landed a solid midkick and knee to the body. The round ended with Machida getting the edge.

The second round had Randy coming straight into a Machida flurry. Later, Machida lands what can only be described as a “crane kick,” much like you can see in film The Karate Kid. Machida ended the fight with that strike and the referee stepped in to put a stop to the action.

Lyoto Machida after win at UFC 129

The official call was Machida defeats Couture by knockout at 1:05 of the second round.

“I feel very, very, very well,” Machida said after the win. “I trained a lot for this kick.”

Machida also gave praise to the man he defeated, Randy Couture, saying, “it’s an honor for me to fight this guy…He is a hero.”

Couture also confirmed this was, indeed, his last fight in the UFC, saying he was done after the fight.

“You’re not going to see me again. This is it,” Couture said.

With the win, Machida gets back on the winning track and looks to get back in the title mix at light heavyweight. Couture, a fighter that paved the road for nearly all athletes in the sport of MMA, hangs up his gloves, closing the doors to one of the most storied careers in all of pro sports.