Talk about a dream start! Jaron Lathrop just kicked off his MMA career in a way most fighters can only fantasize about. On Friday night, Xtreme Fighting Championship 52 went down at Xtreme Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, and while the seven-fight card boasted a lineup of seasoned MMA vets, it was a flyweight rookie who turned heads and dropped jaws with one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts you’ll ever witness.
Stepping into the cage for his pro debut, Lathrop took on Yevgeni Shinkarevsky in a main card clash. The Cedar Rapids native didn’t just win—he stole the spotlight by flattening Shinkarevsky with a jumping spinning back kick in the first round. If it sounds familiar, it should: the finish was a near-carbon copy of Joaquin Buckley’s legendary “Ninja Kick” that KO’d Impa Kasanganay and snagged Knockout of the Year in 2020. Shinkarevsky snatched a body kick from Lathrop, thinking he had the upper hand—only for “Protect Ya Neck” to spin free and unleash a fight-ending missile out of nowhere.
Check out the highlight below and see for yourself why the crowd lost it. This wasn’t just a win; it was a viral moment that’s already making waves. With a debut this electric, Lathrop’s got a real shot at 2025’s Knockout of the Year—and you can bet bigger promotions like the UFC or PFL are taking notice. The 25-year-old flyweight, who rolled into this fight with a 13-1 amateur record, just announced himself as a name to watch. If this is how he starts, what’s next?
