The 20 best UFC knockouts of 2025, featuring Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Lerone Murphy, Mauricio Ruffy and more
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Published 31/12/2025 at 17:59 GMT
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There is much for UFC fans to anticipate in 2026, highlighted by the confirmed return to London in March following a historic, sold-out night at the O2 Arena during 2025. While attention will soon shift to the upcoming marquee bouts live on TNT Sports and discovery+, we take a moment to reflect on the year just passed - revisiting 20 of the finest knockouts in the UFC.
Watch the top 20 UFC knockouts of 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
There is plenty to look forward to in 2026 for fans of the UFC, with confirmation of a return to London in March after the historic sold-out event at O2 Arena in 2025.
A sold-out night in the capital became the highest grossing Fight Night in UFC history, when fans witnessed emphatic victories for home favourites Nathaniel Wood, Chris Duncan and Ireland’s Shauna Bannon.
While attention will soon turn to the major bouts taking place live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - we look back at 20 of the best knockouts in the UFC over the past year, with Ilia Topuria, Lerone Murphy and Mauricio Ruffy all featuring.
20. Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira – UFC 322
The finish in round three came as a product of sustained pressure and positional dominance. Bo Nickal methodically wore Rodolfo Vieira down through clinch control and repeated transitions, forcing defensive reactions rather than proactive offense.
As Vieira's base weakened, Nickal capitalised with clean follow-up strikes, turning positional advantage into a decisive stoppage.
Midway through the third, he landed a perfectly-timed head kick that ended the fight decisively.
The victory marked a significant rebound for Nickal following his previous loss to Reinier de Ridder, boosting his standing in the middleweight division.
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Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira
Image credit: Getty Images
19. Kevin Vallejos vs Giga Chikadze – UFC Vegas 112
Giga Chikadze, a seasoned striker known for his long-range kicks and experience, started the fight strongly, landing significant strikes in the opening round and securing the early advantage on the judges’ scorecards.
In the second round, Kevin Vallejos shifted the momentum, closing the distance and landing a perfectly-timed spinning back-fist that sent Chikadze to the canvas. Vallejos followed up with a series of precise elbows, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
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Highlights: Vallejos finishes Chikadze with spinning backfist
Video credit: TNT Sports
The finish marked the first knockout loss of Chikadze's MMA career, a significant moment against a longtime UFC contender. For Vallejos, the victory improved his UFC record to 3‑0 and served as a statement win, signalling his arrival as a rising force in the featherweight division.
18. Nassourdine Imavov vs Israel Adesanya – UFC Saudi Arabia
Nassourdine Imavov delivered a major upset over former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya.
Early in the second round, Imavov connected with a powerful combination - a right hand followed by a left - that sent Adesanya to the canvas. After a brief pause from the referee to assess Adesanya, Imavov followed up with controlled ground strikes, prompting the stoppage and earning a TKO victory.
The defeat extended a challenging stretch for Adesanya, marking his third consecutive loss at the time. For Imavov, the win was career-defining, propelling him up the middleweight rankings and positioning him as a legitimate contender for a future title shot.
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Highlights: Imavov lands thrilling knockout victory over Adesanya
Video credit: TNT Sports
17. Benoit Saint Denis vs Beneil Dariush – UFC 322
Benoit Saint Denis made a statement in the lightweight division, defeating Beneil Dariush by knockout just 16 seconds into the first round. Dariush started aggressively, landing low kicks early and even briefly knocking Saint Denis down with a leg strike.
As Dariush pressed forward, Saint Denis timed a perfectly-placed left hook, dropping the veteran almost instantly. Follow-up strikes forced the referee to intervene, producing one of the fastest knockouts in lightweight history.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Saint Denis, elevating his profile after previous setbacks, while Dariush, a long-time contender who had missed weight, suffered a sudden defeat that highlighted the unpredictable and high-stakes nature of MMA at the elite level.
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Saint Denis knocks out Dariush in just 16 seconds
Video credit: TNT Sports
16. Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev – UFC 320
Alex Pereira reclaimed the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship with a first-round TKO over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, ending the bout just one minute and 20 seconds into the main event at T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The rematch followed their earlier 2025 encounter, in which Ankalaev had won by unanimous decision to capture the title.
From the opening bell, Pereira set an aggressive pace, backing Ankalaev up with heavy, precise striking. A powerful right hand dropped the champion, and Pereira followed him to the ground, finishing with controlled ground-and-pound until referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight.
The rapid victory was a dramatic reversal from their first encounter and one of the fastest title-fight stoppages of the year, ending Ankalaev's 14-fight unbeaten streak while re-establishing Pereira atop the light heavyweight division.
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Highlights: Pereira dominates Ankalaev to reclaim light heavyweight title
Video credit: TNT Sports
15. Mario Pinto vs Austen Lane – UFC Vegas
Mario Pinto made a memorable UFC debut, defeating veteran striker Austen Lane by knockout just 39 seconds into the second round at UFC Vegas 103.
Lane, a former NFL defensive end turned mixed martial artist, started strong, landing significant strikes and even scoring an early knockdown, showcasing his power advantage. Pinto absorbed the pressure and made it through the first round.
In the second, Pinto returned with measured aggression. A precise left-right combination dropped Lane cleanly, prompting the referee to stop the fight and secure an emphatic victory. The finish established Pinto as an exciting new prospect in the heavyweight division.
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Highlights: Pinto claims second-round win over Lane with KO of the year contender
Video credit: TNT Sports
14. Cesar Almeida vs Abdul Razak Alhassan - UFC Vegas 101
Cesar Almeida secured a dramatic first-round knockout over Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2, finishing the fight at 4:16 of Round 1.
Early in the round, Alhassan landed a powerful right hand that dropped Almeida, putting him in serious danger. Showing resilience, Almeida recovered and returned to his feet, weathering the early storm.
As momentum shifted, Almeida seized the opening, landing a perfectly-timed left hook that sent Alhassan to the canvas and prompted the referee to stop the bout. The finish was a spectacular comeback, demonstrating Almeida's composure and striking precision while turning near-defeat into victory.
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Cesar Almeida shows his delight at overcoming Abdul Razak Alhassan
Image credit: Getty Images
13. Reinier de Ridder vs Bo Nickal – UFC Des Moines
De Ridder scored a statement victory over undefeated prospect Nickal with a second-round TKO via knee to the body, finishing the bout at 1:53 of the middleweight co‑main event.
The match-up pitted Nickal’s unbeaten record and rising star status against De Ridder's seasoned grappling and two-division championship experience from ONE Championship.
The first round featured back-and-forth grappling exchanges and scrambles, with neither fighter establishing clear control. In the second, De Ridder pressed forward in the clinch, landing a series of hard knees to the body. One devastating strike forced Nickal to drop to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
The win handed Nickal his first professional MMA loss, ending his 7‑0 start, while cementing De Ridder’s arrival in the UFC with a signature upset victory.
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Reinier de Ridder's finisher against Bo Nickal
Image credit: Getty Images
12. Randy Brown vs Nicolas Dalby – UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown delivered a standout second-round knockout over Nicolas Dalby at 1:39 in their welterweight clash on the main card at the T‑Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Brown's decisive right hand ended the fight, marking the first time Dalby had ever been stopped in over 30 professional MMA bouts.
The opening round showcased Brown's reach and sharp striking, landing significant punches - including one that visibly twisted Dalby's nose. Dalby displayed his resilience, even rocking Brown late in the round, but the momentum shifted in the second round.
Brown continued to press the action, and a perfectly-timed right hand mid-round sent Dalby to the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene.
The emphatic finish was one of the most impressive knockouts on the card and provided a major boost to Brown's trajectory in the welterweight division.
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Brown delivers ‘knockout of a lifetime’ to defeat Dalby - ‘Are you kidding me?’
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11. Malcolm Wellmaker vs Kris Moutinho – UFC Atlanta
Malcolm Wellmaker secured a first-round knockout over Kris Moutinho during their bantamweight bout on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Wellmaker, a rising prospect in the division, set the tone early with powerful, precise striking.
Midway through the opening round, he landed a perfectly-timed right hook that sent Moutinho to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight. The victory preserved Wellmaker's undefeated professional record and reinforced his reputation as an emerging knockout artist in the UFC.
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Malcolm Wellmaker knocked out Kris Moutinho in a bantamweight bout
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10. Dominick Reyes vs Nikita Krylov – UFC 314
Dominick Reyes marked his comeback with a first-round knockout over Nikita Krylov at UFC 314. Reyes, a former light heavyweight title challenger, used sharp counter-striking to nullify Krylov's aggressive forward pressure.
Midway through the opening round, Reyes timed a powerful left hand perfectly, sending Krylov to the canvas and prompting an immediate stoppage by the referee. The victory was Reyes' third consecutive win, signalling a strong resurgence after a challenging stretch earlier in his UFC career.
The finish also ended Krylov’s three-fight winning streak and underscored Reyes' renewed intent in the division. After the fight, he declared, "I’m not back, I’m better," highlighting his ambition to return to title contention.
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Highlights: Reyes drops Krylov with stunning first-round KO
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9. Gregory Rodrigues vs Jack Hermansson - UFC 317
Gregory Rodrigues delivered a first-round knockout over Jack Hermansson in their middleweight bout on the preliminary card of UFC 317.
After an early exchange of strikes, Rodrigues landed a perfectly timed left hook that sent Hermansson to the canvas.
A follow-up hammer-fist briefly continued before the referee fully intervened, generating some debate among fans and analysts about the timing of the final strike. Hermansson eventually regained consciousness and received immediate medical attention.
The victory represented a significant rebound for Rodrigues, bouncing back from his earlier TKO loss to Jared Cannonier in 2025 and reestablishing momentum in the middleweight division.
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Gregory Rodrigues impressively saw off Jack Hermansson
Image credit: Getty Images
8. Jiri Prochazka vs Khalil Rountree Jr – UFC 320
Jiri Prochazka secured a dramatic third-round knockout over Khalil Rountree Jr. in their light heavyweight feature on the UFC 320 card.
Rountree Jr controlled much of the first two rounds, landing crisp strikes and building an early lead on the judges' scorecards.
In the third, Prochazka turned the tide, applying relentless forward pressure and mixing in powerful body shots and a spinning elbow before landing a decisive left hand that sent Rountree Jr to the canvas, ending the fight. The knockout was emphatic, with Rountree Jr needing assistance to exit the Octagon.
Despite a strong start, Rountree Jr's momentum was halted, though he later confirmed he remained in good spirits and intends to return stronger. The victory reinforced Prochazka's reputation for late-fight finishes and cemented his status as a dangerous light heavyweight contender.
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Highlights: Prochazka rallies to finish Rountree Jr in third round
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7. Melquizael Costa vs Morgan Charriere – UFC Vegas 112
Melquizael Costa delivered a stunning knockout over Morgan Charriere with a left high kick at 1:14 of the first round at UFC Vegas 112.
The opening minute featured measured exchanges as both fighters tested range and timing.
Costa set up the finish with precise body attacks before landing the decisive head kick, which connected cleanly and sent Charriere to the canvas instantly. Despite a partial defensive arm raise from Charriere, the strike landed flush, producing an emphatic knockout.
The victory extended Costa's undefeated 2025 run to four finishes, reinforcing his rapid ascent in the featherweight division.
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Melquizael Costa produced a devastating knockout of Morgan Charriere
Image credit: Getty Images
6. Carlos Prates vs Geoff Neal – UFC 319
Carlos Prates delivered a spectacular spinning back-elbow knockout over Geoff Neal in the first round at UFC 319, landing literally in the final second before the horn.
The bout, featured on a stacked main card in Chicago, saw both fighters exchanging strikes throughout the opening round, with Neal pressing forward and Prates capitalising on openings with creative offense, including kicks and knees.
In a dramatic finish, Prates unleashed a perfectly-timed spinning back elbow that connected flush on Neal’s head, sending him unconscious and prompting an immediate stoppage as the round ended.
The finish snapped Neal's momentum and marked the first time he had been stopped by strikes in the UFC, while Prates bounced back from his previous loss and further cemented his reputation as a dynamic knockout artist in the welterweight division.
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Highlights: Prates beats Neal by first-round KO at UFC 319
Video credit: TNT Sports
5. Elijah Smith vs Toshiomi Kazama – UFC Vegas 109
Elijah Smith scored a spectacular first-round knockout over Toshiomi Kazama with a devastating slam during their bantamweight preliminary fight on UFC Vegas 109.
Early in the round, Kazama threatened with grappling exchanges and a triangle choke attempt, but Smith countered decisively.
Smith lifted Kazama into the air and executed a powerbomb-style slam, sending him crashing to the canvas and knocking him out instantly.
A brief follow-up of punches ensured the referee stopped the fight, cementing one of the most brutal and talked-about knockouts of the year. The finish drew comparisons to some of MMA's most legendary slam knockouts.
Kazama was taken to a Las Vegas hospital for evaluation, though CT scans confirmed no serious injuries. The victory improved Smith’s record and significantly elevated his reputation as a powerful finisher in the bantamweight division.
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Elijah Smith produced a superb KO on Toshiomi Kazama
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4. Quillan Salkilld vs Nasrat Haqparast – UFC 321
Quillan Salkilld scored a first-round knockout over Nasrat Haqparast with a perfectly-timed head kick during their lightweight bout in the prelims of UFC 321.
Haqparast started strong, pressing forward and landing clean strikes while thwarting early takedown attempts from Salkilld.
Midway through the round, Salkilld connected flush with a high kick that knocked Haqparast unconscious, leaving him motionless for several minutes before he eventually regained consciousness.
The victory improved Salkilld's UFC record to 3-0 and further cemented his status as a rising lightweight prospect, made even more impressive by the fact he took the fight on just 10 days' notice.
For Haqparast, the loss snapped a five-fight winning streak and produced one of the most dramatic conclusions on the prelims that night.
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‘One of the CRAZIEST high kicks’ – Salkilld earns stunning KO win over Haqparast
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3. Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira – UFC 317
Ilia Topuria captured the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship with a remarkable first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira in UFC 317's main event.
The title was vacant after Islam Makhachev moved up a division, setting the stage for Topuria, a former featherweight champion, to step up to 155 lbs against the seasoned former champion Oliveira.
After an early exchange, Topuria landed a powerful right hand followed by a left hook that sent Oliveira unconscious, prompting an immediate stoppage by the referee. The emphatic finish came just 2:27 into the fight, underscoring Topuria’s precision and striking power.
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Highlights: Topuria knocks out Oliveira to win lightweight title
Video credit: TNT Sports
With the victory, Topuria became one of the few fighters in UFC history to hold championships in two different weight classes while remaining undefeated at 17‑0.
The win also extended his streak of early stoppage victories over elite competition, including previous wins against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. For Oliveira, the defeat marked a rare knockout loss, highlighting the potency of Topuria's rising light heavyweight credentials.
2. Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico – UFC 319
Lerone Murphy scored a spectacular first-round knockout over Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow during UFC 319's co‑main event.
Pico, the highly-touted former Bellator standout making his UFC debut, started aggressively, landing strikes and even securing early takedowns.
Murphy absorbed the initial pressure and capitalised on Pico’s forward momentum. As Pico charged in, Murphy unleashed a perfectly-timed spinning back elbow that landed flush, knocking him out instantly before he hit the canvas.
The finish was a 'wow' moment and a statement victory, preserving Murphy's undefeated professional record and immediately establishing him as a top contender in the featherweight division.
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Highlights: Murphy scores first-round KO win over Pico
Video credit: TNT Sports
1. Mauricio Ruffy vs King Green – UFC 313
Mauricio Ruffy delivered the knockout of the year when he stopped King Green with a spinning wheel kick in the first round of their bout at UFC 313.
Ruffy, a rising lightweight prospect, set the pace early with sharp striking and fluid movement, keeping veteran Green on the defensive.
Midway through the round, Ruffy backed Green against the cage and unleashed a perfectly-executed spinning wheel kick that connected flush on the head, sending Green face-first to the canvas and prompting an immediate stoppage by the referee.
The finish was widely regarded as one of the standout knockouts of 2025, earning "Knockout of the Year" honours from several MMA outlets.
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Watch the top 20 UFC knockouts of 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
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TNT Sports will bring you live coverage of every UFC card from across the USA and beyond.
For the latest information on UFC fights on TNT Sports, click here.
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