Over the years, the UFC has seen some exciting knockouts. MMA is one of those sports where you can get caught at any time if you are not careful. We compiled a list of some of the most game-changing knockouts in UFC history, and even though we probably missed some, we felt these were the best.
15. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva (UFC 92 – 2008)
While it was a brutal KO, it was more about personal rivalry than shifting the UFC landscape. It was significant for Rampage but didn’t change the division.
14. Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim (UFC 142 – 2012)
One of the most visually stunning knockouts in MMA history, but it didn’t have championship implications or change the sport. Not only was it stunning but it was one of the first knockouts featuring that kick.
13. Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture (UFC 129 – 2011)
The crane kick KO was beautiful and sent Couture into retirement, but it didn’t alter a division or impact the title picture. However, it shows that karate can have its place in MMA.
12. Henry Cejudo vs. T.J. Dillashaw (UFC Fight Night 143 – 2019)
This 32-second KO ent the flyweight division into controversy. First, Dillashaw was fuming that the match was stopped early. Davan even commented he wished the referee didn’t end the fight. Later it was learned that Dillasha tested positive for PEDs which created even more drama.
11. Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell (UFC 88 – 2008)
This real changing-of-the-guard moment that marked the end of Liddell’s dominance, but Rashad’s reign wasn’t as defining as others.
10. Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping (UFC 100 – 2009)
Why is this here? The H-Bomb KO became legendary after this. However, Bisping would later avenge the loss and become champion, slightly reducing its long-term impact.
9. Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko Cro Cop (UFC 70 – 2007)
This was a shocking reversal of fate—Cro Cop, known for head-kicking people into oblivion, got knocked out by a head kick. However, Gonzaga never reached title stardom, it was a knockout that pushed the UFC forward.
8. Francis Ngannou vs. Alistair Overeem (UFC 218 – 2017)
We can’t have a top knockout list without including Ngannou’s uppercut from hell.The knockout put the heavyweight division on notice, and was a stepping stone. Ngannou would get his belt, however drama ensued afterward and some have accused him of ducking Jon Jones.
7. Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman (UFC 278 – 2022)
Next up is the head kick heard around the world which is one of my favorites. I’m a fan of both these fighters but the set up for this knockout was a work of art and it dethroned a champion. Usman had dominated most of the fight and was cruising in the fifth round when Leon caught him with a nasty kick. I posted a longer version of the knockout to show how Edwards set it up.
6. Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre (UFC 69 – 2007)
It was called one of the biggest upsets in UFC history as a huge underdog TKO’d the GOAT, but GSP reclaimed his throne and cemented his legacy soon after.
5. Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva (UFC 162 – 2013)
Sadly, this ended Silva’s historic title reign, but you can’t mess around with a guy like Chris Weidman, and many think Silva had it coming.
4. Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey (UFC 193 – 2015)
We couldn’t leave this one out, it was the beginning of the end for Rousey. Before Leon Edwards kick this may have been the first kick heard around the world.
3. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 126 – 2011)
This front kick KO became one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history and cemented Silva’s legacy as one of the greatest strikers ever.
2. Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren (UFC 239 – 2019)
This was the fastest KO and possibly the most explosive knockout in UFC history (5 seconds), and it ended the hype around Ben Askren. Some also say the knockout was faster than 5 seconds, but it took the referee that long to react.
1. Conor McGregor vs. José Aldo (UFC 194 – 2015)
This was the jewel that cemented the legend: a 13-second KO over an undefeated champion instantly made McGregor the face of MMA and permanently shifted the UFC’s promotional strategy. No KO has had a bigger impact on the sport.
McGregor’s KO of Aldo remains the most game-changing moment in UFC history, while Masvidal’s flying knee is the most shocking. Holm’s head-kick KO changed women’s MMA, and Weidman’s win over Silva marked a changing of the guard. There’s a few others that come to mind like Amanda Nunes KO of Rousy which was the changing of the guard. Feel free to mention a few others in the comments.
