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The 31-year-old rose to notoriety on the roster of the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion in the USA, before signing with Rizin at the end of his UFC contract last year.

Since then he has two wins and two losses, with his most recent arguably the most physically damaging of his career so far.

The lightweight contender required medical attention on the canvas after walking into a monster right hook from Yachi that knocked him out cold on his feet.

(Image: YOUTUBE)

With the referee slow to respond to the KO, Yachi landed two more strikes on him as he lay prone on the canvas before the official finally dived in to save him.

“That Japanese guy is good, people sleep on him,” wrote one viewer.

“Cruickshank was doing good, he'll be back. He’s never in a boring fight.”

Another said: “Cruickshank was getting tagged over and over with counter hooks before this happened.

(Image: YOUTUBE)

“I’m a fan of the guy, but he really didn't look good in this fight.”

“I missed most of the event because stuff came up but hot damn what a blast this KO was,” added a third.

The clip comes as news emerged that MMA star and pro wrestling legend Akebono was placed in a medically induced coma following a performance in Japan.