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7. Brian Rogers vs. Vitor Vianna
Bellator 61
March 16, 2012 | Bossier City, Louisiana
Rogers punched his ticket to the Season 6 middleweight tournament semifinals, as he blew away Vianna with a flying knee in the first round of their encounter at the Horseshoe Riverdome. The picture-perfect strike followed a clean right cross and knocked the two-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion senseless in the center of the cage 4:14 into Round 1.

A special education teacher in Kent, Ohio, Rogers assaulted the Brazilian with kicks to the legs and straight punches upstairs. He stuffed Vianna’s attempts to get the fight to the ground and executed a hip toss of his own, smashing the Wand Fight Team rep with a hammerfist before returning to an upright position. Back on the feet, Rogers wobbled his opponent with a right hand and followed with a light-switch knee that brought it to a close.

“I’m a finisher,” Rogers said.

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