13 Most Brutal Knockouts in UFC History
The UFC is full of jaw-dropping moments, but nothing gets fans on their feet like a brutal knockout. There are lightning-fast strikes that end bouts in mere seconds and perfectly timed kicks that leave opponents unconscious before they hit the canvas. Let’s take a look at some of the most unforgettable finishes in UFC history.
Conor McGregor vs. José Aldo
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This fight was over before most fans could even settle into their seats. In just 13 seconds, Conor McGregor knocked out José Aldo—the fastest finish in UFC title fight history. With one perfectly placed left hand, McGregor ended Aldo’s decade-long undefeated streak and became the sport’s top striker.
Yair Rodríguez vs. Chan Sung Jung
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The UFC Fight Night 139 in November 2018 saw Yair Rodríguez face Chan Sung Jung in a featherweight clash that left fans in awe. With one second left in the fight, Yair Rodríguez delivered one of the most creative knockouts ever seen. As Chan Sung Jung charged in, Rodríguez ducked and threw a no-look upward elbow, knocking “The Korean Zombie” out cold. Fans were stunned. The fight was about to go to the judges, but Rodríguez stole the win in the final moment.
Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey
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Ronda Rousey was the most dominant female fighter at the time—until Holly Holm changed everything. Using her elite boxing skills, Holm picked Rousey apart before delivering a brutal head kick that left the champ unconscious. The upset was one of the biggest in MMA history and marked the end of Rousey’s reign.
Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort
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Sometimes, all it takes is one moment of brilliance. Anderson Silva faced fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort in a highly anticipated fight, but it ended quickly when Silva landed a picture-perfect front kick to Belfort’s chin. Belfort hit the canvas, and Silva sealed the win with a few extra punches. The knockout became one of the most replayed in UFC history.
Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson
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Tony Ferguson had never been knocked out before—until Michael Chandler landed a devastating front kick in the second round. The impact was immediate. Ferguson went stiff before even hitting the mat. The shocking finish became one of the most talked-about knockouts of the year.
Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman
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Riding high on a 10-fight unbeaten streak, Leon Edwards took his chances against the seemingly impregnable Kamaru Usman. Their bout went into round five, where Edwards delivered a stunning head kick that knocked out his Nigerian adversary. This happened late in the fifth round when Usman appeared to be leading on the scorecards.
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
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Unlike their first match, which ended in a decision, the rematch pitting Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal had a different story. “The Nigerian Nightmare” delivered a stunning knockout against Masvidal in the second round. He unleashed a powerful right hand that connected flush with “Gamebred’s” jaw.
Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje
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At UFC 300 in April 2024, a thrilling bout between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje required something extraordinary for either fighter to stand out. Holloway landed a huge right hand that knocked Gaethje out cold. The crowd went wild, and Holloway’s walk-off KO instantly became one for the history books.
Alex Pereira vs. Sean Strickland
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Relatively new in the organization, Alex Pereira made a statement with his only third fight since joining. He shocked the world in a major pay-per-view fight against the highly ranked Sean Strickland. Midway through the first round, the “Poatan” unleashed and landed a devastating left hook that connected flush with Strickland’s jaw and floored him.
Mauricio Ruffy vs. King Green
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Mauricio Ruffy delivered a spectacular knockout against King Green at the main card kickoff of UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Just two minutes into the first round, the Brazilian striker executed a spinning wheel kick that connected with Green’s head and separated him from his senses. This victory extended Ruffy’s winning streak to seven and earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim
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In his UFC debut, Edson Barboza used a rare TKO via leg kick stoppage to beat his opponent. His UFC 142 competitor in Rio de Janeiro, Terry Etim, seemingly ignored this sign of creativity to devastating effects. Barboza delivered a jaw-dropping spinning wheel kick that connected with Etim’s head and left him sprawled on the canvas. The technique is difficult to execute but comes with calamitous results.
Impa Kasanganay vs. Joaquin Buckley
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Sometimes, it’s dangerous facing a wounded fighter, as Impa Kasanganay found out when he faced off against Joaquin Buckley in October 2020. Buckley, coming off his UFC debut loss, countered his competitor’s body kick attempt with a jumping spinning back kick. The impact caught Kasanganay unawares and left him unconscious on the canvas. The viral highlight became UFC’s most-watched Instagram video ever, garnering over 17.8 million views.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren
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Heated exchanges heading into bouts don’t win you matches but may land you in the UFC’s record books. At UFC 239, Jorge Masvidal delivered a record-breaking KO against Ben Askren when he took him out just five seconds into the match. As the fight commenced, Masvidal sprinted toward Askren and launched a flying knee that connected with his head. It surpassed the previous mark Duane Ludwig held.
Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping
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Dan Henderson’s overhand right, known as the “H-Bomb,” is one of the most feared weapons in mixed martial arts. In July 2009, at UFC 100, he unleashed it with devastating effect against Michael Bisping. As Bisping circled left, Henderson timed a perfect right hand that landed on the jaw and rendered the trash-talking English striker unconscious. He followed up with a flying forearm before the referee intervened.
Francis Ngannou vs. Alistair Overeem
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For someone who packs a deadly knockout punch, it’s unbelievable that Francis Ngannou won three of his first four MMA bouts by submission. “The Predator” employed this arsenal against Alistair Overeem, whom he sent flying literally with an uppercut that connected cleanly to the chin in December 2017 at UFC 218 in Detroit. Overeem’s head snapped back as his body collapsed to the canvas.