It’s not the exact equivalent, but Chuck Liddell was still a rock star in the UFC when he stepped in to fight Rashad Evans at UFC 88. I can remember the tension in Atlanta when he circled Evans through the first round, ready to uncork the right hand that would bring the Philips Arena to its feet. In the second round, as that vibe enhanced and Liddell stalked his prey — a little incautiously, in retrospect — Evans let fly his own right hand that dropped Liddell like he’d been shot.
There was a gasp and a roar, followed by a stunned quiet as everyone processed what just happened.