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A UFC fighter suffered perhaps the most horrific knockout of the year after sustaining a devastating right hand.

Ricky Simon and Javid Basharat locked horns at UFC Fight Night 252 in the preliminary card on Saturday at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

But the bantamweight fight didn’t last long as Simon, 32, blasted Basharat, 29, in the face and immediately floored him in the canvas during the first round.

The American followed up with a couple of more blows to his fallen opponent until the referee thankfully intervened.

The camera then caught the Afghan-born English fighter looking motionless with his eyes glaring open after the horrific attack.

The ref immediately stopped the fight and Simon was declared the winner via knockout.

UFC fans were left in shock at the sight of Basharat as they stormed social media.

One MMA enthusiast tweeted: “Simon sleeps him bad!”

Another commented: “Out with the eyes open, that’s a bad KO. He really needs to be observed.”

A third wrote: “Wow!!!!! Ricky is back!!”

This fan declared: “Knockout of the year contender!”

And that one said: “Holy f**k that was nasty!”

That was Basharat’s first ever knockout loss, which took his record to 14-2.

Simon, on the other hand, now boasts 21 wins and six losses out of 27 fights.

THE gruesome mystery of a 2,000-year-old headless woman found in an Irish bog has finally been uncovered by scientists.

Evidence suggests the Ballymacombs More Woman “suffered a highly violent death.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland/PA Wire

Police Service of Northern Ireland/PA Wire

Police Service of Northern Ireland/PA Wire

Following the discovery of ancient remains in a bogland near Bellaghy in October 2023, experts have been piecing together who this woman once was.

Several museums and universities have now unearthed her sex, age, height, and manner of death.

Initially, scientists believed the bones belonged to a 13 to 17-year-old boy.

However, they actually belonged to a 17 to 22-year-old woman.

She was most likely alive during the Iron Age, around  343 BCE to 1 BCE.

Eileen Murphy, an archaeologist at Queen’s University Belfast who studied the body, explained the manner of death in a statement on Thursday.

She said: “As is the case for so many Iron Age bog bodies, the young woman suffered a highly violent death, which involved the flow of blood from her throat followed by decapitation.”

Cut marks were found on the woman’s neck vertebrae that indicated an intentional decapitation in the bog.

This may have been part of a ritual or sacrifice during the Iron Age period.

Although her head has not been recovered, it’s estimated the woman stood at 5ft 6in.

Part of a woven item made of plant material was also recovered from below the knees and is thought to be part of an associated artefact.

Niamh Baker, Curator of Archaeology at National Museums NI, said the Ballymacombs More Woman is “one of the most important archaeological discoveries on the island of Ireland”.

This is because the majority of Iron Age bog bodies discovered in the British Isles have all been male, Niamh added.

She continued: “This important discovery gives us a glimpse into the lives of the people of our ancient past and offers insights into how they lived, interacted with their environment, and developed their cultures.

“As the organisation with statutory responsibility for acquiring, curating and conserving nationally significant archaeological finds in Northern Ireland, we immediately understood how a thorough research process would be required to ensure that this discovery was managed professionally and ethically to unlock her valuable story.”

The study, led by National Museums NI, has involved collaboration with organisations across the UK, Ireland and Europe, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), National Museums of Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Copenhagen, University of Glasgow, and University of Bradford.

IRON AGE DEATHS

Research into Iron Age bog bodies by the National Museum of Ireland has shown human sacrifices were likely connected to sovereignty and kinship rituals.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner in 2011, Ned Kelly, former keeper of antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, explained that excessively violent killings were likely ordered by kings in hard times.

They happened to ensure that the province remained productive and were probably made to the Celtic goddess of the land.

‘FASCINTATING FINDINGS’

Following the decapitation of the Ballymacombs More Woman, Eileen Murphy explained in her report that “the body was left where it fell only to be discovered by machine workers some 2,000 years later”.

And that the head must have been taken away.

“Further scientific analysis, including the conclusion of an Ancient DNA analysis, will no doubt yield more fascinating findings”, she said.

And added: “It was a privilege to undertake the osteological analysis of these important, but also very poignant, archaeological human remains.”

‘SIGNIFICANT FEAT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’

Hannah Crowdy, Head of Curatorial at National Museums NI, described the collaboration as a “significant feat for Northern Ireland”.

“It is a brilliant illustration of how relevant our museums are, and the important role we play in connecting our unique heritage, spanning thousands of years, to the present day,” she said.

“We are exceptionally grateful to our partners for their collaboration on this project; we have all learnt from their considerable expertise, which will ensure we have rigorous, scientific records associated with this discovery.

“Our collections are for the public to enjoy and be inspired by, but as the Ballymacombs More Woman demonstrates, they are also a crucial resource for research and learning in a wide array of specialist fields.

“The stories and intrinsic knowledge associated with people from the past may be strange and disturbing to us today but also enlightening, helping us to better understand and reflect upon societal changes over time.

“Our views of the world, and the forces that impact upon us, have changed profoundly over the course of history. As we consider this important archaeological discovery, we should remind ourselves that Ballymacombs More Woman was once a person, just like us.”

Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The bog in Bellagy, Ireland[/caption]

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“Men always ruin everything,” one commenter said.

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"She worked hard on making sure everything was very beautiful. She's very good at that," Trump said.

US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, whose portfolio has expanded to encompass Ukraine, suggested that the war there wasn't "necessary" provoked by the Kremlin.

WALES icon Dan Biggar has made a big prediction about what the future holds for Sam Prendergast.

The Ireland out-half has started all three of Ireland’s Six Nations games to date during the 2025 campaign, including yesterday’s underwhelming 28-17 win over lowly Wales.

Youtube - The Rugby Pod

Wales icon Dan Biggar reckons the Ireland star will start for The Lions this summer[/caption]

And the former Wales out-half Biggar has been impressed with the the young Leinster star.

22-year-old Prendergast has earned widespread praise for his performances for club and country since Johnny Sexton’s retirement.

And Toulon ace Biggar reckons the player will start for Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions in the tests first match of their Summer Tour of Australia.

Speaking on the Rugby Pod, Biggar said: “This is a big statement, but I think Sam Prendergast will start that first Test for the Lions against the Wallabies.

“I’m saying that based on the belief that Ireland will win the championship and potentially the Grand Slam, and that Leinster will be right in the mix for the big URC matches and in Europe.

“I’ve been really impressed with how Sam has adapted to international rugby. He looks assured and positive.

“For me, in a Lions year, it’s not just about who has the best reputation or skill set—it’s about who is playing the best rugby, performing consistently, and playing with confidence.

“I believe Sam will be involved in big games and will only continue to improve.”

Meanwhile, The Lions face former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt and Australia in July and August during a three-test series.

Schmidt is set to leave his position after facing Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions side.

He will leave his role with Rugby Australia (RA) after the confirmed they will begin their search for a new head coach immediately.

The former Leinster boss agreed to stay on longer than his original contract to host the Lions in the three-game test series.

But he will officially then quit the Wallaby role to care for his son Luke, who battles severe Epilepsy.

It means a new head coach will take charge for the end-of-year tour and lead the team into the World Cup on home soil.

Speaking to Stan Sport, Schmidt admitted that while he would have loved to stay longer, stepping away was the right call.

He said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to work with this squad. It’s been a whirlwind but also a lot of fun.”

“It’s disappointing for me, but I know it’s the right decision. If I stayed on after the Lions series.

“I’d have to fly to Johannesburg for the Rugby Championship straight after. That’s not the best way to transition.”