UFC newcomer’s hyped debut ends in wheelchair after crippling knockout

Kaue Fernandez kicks Harry Hardwick until he can't continue at UFC Paris

Hardwick, known for his stalk-and-brawl style, was quickly stifled by Fernandes' kicks. The Brazilian kept an extremely wide stance and intercepted Hardwick's advances with thudding kicks to the calf, which promptly reddened and swelled with pain.

They quickly paid dividends, as Hardwick struggled to conceal his anguish. Before long, a swift kick by Fernandes left Hardwick hopping, and soon he crumbled to the floor, where referee Herb Dean called the fight off.

Fernandes vs. Hardwick was the nineteenth leg kick knockout in the UFC. Fernandes almost did the same in his last appearance against Guram Kutateladze. Back-to-back leg kick knockouts would have inserted Fernandes into an exclusive club for fighters with two or more leg kick knockouts in the UFC.

Harry Hardwick leaves Octagon in a wheelchair

Hardwick exited the UFC Octagon in a wheelchair after his legs were battered.

It's back to the drawing board for the British scrapper, who gets the benefit of the doubt having stepped in on five days' notice.

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