Ryan Smart
Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.
UFC fighter Hailey Cowan has issued an update after she was knocked out by a vicious knee kick from Alice Pereira at UFC Fight Night 272.
Cowan, who was born in Texas, was taking on up-and-coming Brazilian star Pereira in a bantamweight fight on the preliminary card.
In the fifth minute of the second round, 20-year-old Pereira connected with a brutal knee clean to the face of Cowan, who immediately fell down to the canvas.
Pereira hit the American with another punch while she was on the mat, before the referee quickly intervened to get between the fighters and wave off the match.
Nicknamed the 'Golden Girl', Pereira now has a fight record of 7-1.
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She is the youngest female fighter to win a fight in the UFC, and the youngest to score a knockout.
As for Cowan, she suffered what was UFC Fight Night's second brutal knockout in consecutive weeks, with Maycee Barber being KO'd by a brutal right hook from Alexa Grasso in Seattle last week.
She wrote on Instagram following the fight: "God is still good. I still have lots to smile about :) and I am just fine. Heartbroken, but blessed.
"Passion is what we do, purpose is why we do it. Thank you Jesus for the courage to do scary things and to dream big. Chin is still high."
Barber herself responded to the post, writing: "God is good all the time you will be back better than before."
UFC Fight Night 272 was highlighted by Renato Moicano's victory over Chris Duncan via rear-naked choke submission.
The promotion's next blockbuster event will be UFC 327, which is due to be held on April 11.
In the main event, Jiri Prochazka will take on Carlos Ulberg for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, which has been vacated by Alex Pereira - of no relation to Alice - as he intends to challenge for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.