2023 witnessed some of the best knockouts ever in the UFC. Knockouts are the best way for a fighter to get bragging rights. Moreover, knockout losses alter the career of the inflicted and the inflictor. Many have made a career out of devastating knockouts, while others have had downward spirals.
Which were the best knockouts of the UFC in 2023? Here is a list of some of the best UFC Knockouts of 2023.
Related: 5 best UFC knockouts in 2022: Featuring Leon Edwards, Michael Chandler, and other superstarsHonorable mentions for the best knockouts of UFC for 2023
The list compiled below could not include many devastating Knockouts that happened across 42 events of the UFC in 2023. Here are the knockout victories that could not get into the top 10.
Dan Ige knocking out Damon Jackson remained a spectacular sight. Brandon Royval‘s knee and elbow finish of Matheus Nicolau and Yan Xionan‘s countershot KO of Jessica Andrade impressed the MMA community.
Jim Miller‘s perfect straight left KO of Jesse Butler, Robbie Lawler‘s retirement KO victory over Niko Price, and Rob Font‘s TKO victory over Adrian Yanez shook the fans. Moroever, the first-round finishes of Justin Tafa and Tyson Pedro also deserve mention. Benoit Saint-Denis finish of Matt Frevola, and Drakkar Klose‘s slam KO of Joe Salecki are other honorable mentions. Check out the ten best knockouts of 2023.
Best knockout 10: Sean O’Malley vs Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292
Sean O’Malley‘s victory over Aljamain Sterling takes the number 10th spot of the best UFC knockouts of 2023. Even though the stoppage by referee Marc Goddard was controversial, the storyline behind O’Malley makes it to the list.
O’Malley landed a picture-perfect counter right straight in the second round of the fight that put Aljamain Sterling down. Subsequent follow-up shots made Goddard stop the fight. Sterling and the fighters who watched the fight protested the stoppage. Nevertheless, the beauty of the technique, reminiscent of Conor McGregor‘s knockout of Jose Aldo, got O’Malley’s knockout the 10th place.
Best knockout 9: Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli at UFC 294
Mike Breeden had one of the best come-from-behind victories at UFC 293. His opponent, Anshul Jubli, won the first two rounds but succumbed to Breeden’s pressure in the third. Breeden knocked down Jubli in the third round. Jubli fell on all fours, and Marc Goddard stepped in to stop the bout.
It was the first loss of Jubli’s professional MMA career. Moreover, it was his first fight after winning the UFC contract as the Road to UFC Season 1 Lightweight Tournament winner. Furthermore, the victory was his first in four attempts for Breeden. Unfortunately, the UFC did not resign him.
Best knockout 8: Beneil Dariush vs Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night Austin
Arman Tsarukyan made a statement at UFC Austin. The performance even made Dana White rethink his plans for lightweight title fights. Tsarukyan showed brute strength with a one-legged right straight that dropped Beneil Dariush down. The follow-up shorts put Dariush out cold.
The fight lasted just 64 seconds. Moreover, it was the second consecutive first-round KO loss for Dariush. The victory put Arman Tsarukyan in title contention and pulled Dairush further down the ladder.
Best knockout 7: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 at UFC 294
The first fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski was extremely close at UFC 284. However, Makhachev shut all doubts anybody had with a first-round finish of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. Charles Oliveira was Makhachev’s original opponent. Volkanovski was a short-notice replacement.
At UFC 294, Makhachev knocked down Volkanovski with a head kick. Referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight after follow-up shots. Makhachev became the first fighter to finish Volkanovski with the victory. Moreover, it also got him the number-one spot in the UFC Pound for Pound rankings.
Best knockout 6: Edson Barboza vs Billy Quarantillo at UFC Fight Night Kansas City
Edson Barboza turned up in vintage fashion at UFC Kansas. Barboza was coming off consecutive losses in the featherweight division when the UFC matched him with Billy Quarantillo.
Billy Quarantillo was the favorite going into the bout. However, Barboza knocked him out with a well-timed knee. It brought back memories of when he knocked out Beneil Dariush at lightweight. Barboza did not need follow-up shots on either victory.
Best knockout 5: Tom Aspinall vs Sergei Pavovich at UFC 295
Tom Aspinall fought Sergei Pavlovich on short notice at UFC 295 for the interim heavyweight championship. The duo held and still holds the record for the top 2 shortest average fight time inside the octagon.
In the fight, Aspinall used his speed to full advantage over the rangier Pavlovich. A quick one-two wobbled Pavlovich. Aspinall followed it with another one-two that dropped the Russian. Referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight after follow-up shots. The fight lasted just over a minute.
Best knockout 4: Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier at UFC 291
After Jorge Masvidal’s retirement, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier fought for the BMF title at UFC 291. It was a rematch of their first fight, which Poirier won via TKO in the fourth round.
However, this time, Justin Gaethje landed the same side head kick in the second round that knocked Poirier out cold. Herb Dean slid in to save Poirier from follow-up shots. The head kick was reminiscent of the previous PPV in the arena, UFC 278, where Leon Edwards knocked Kamaru Usman out.
Best knockout 3: Josh Emmet vs Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296
Josh Emmet returned to winning ways at UFC 296. He had lost his previous two bouts in 2023 against Yair Rodriguez and Ilia Topuria. He was to face Giga Chikadze at UFC 296. However, his injury made Bryce Mitchell step in on short notice.
Emmet landed a powerful overhand right on Mitchell in the first round of the bout. ‘One Hit Quitter’ is the most apt way to describe the KO. Mitchell even suffered a seizure inside the octagon. If not for the storyline behind the top 2 picks, this would’ve become number 1 on the best UFC knockouts of 2023.
Best knockout 2: Max Holloway vs The Korean Zombie at UFC Singapore
Max Holloway vs The Korean Zombie was a tribute to the fans. Even though Holloway won the bout, the fight was an apt tribute to TKZ, who retired afterward. TKZ bid farewell, walking out to the iconic ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries with his wife beside him.
In the fight, after losing the first two rounds, TKZ decided to brawl with Holloway. In the brawl, a quick right hand from Holloway knocked TKZ out cold. Holloway did not need follow-up shots.
Best knockout 1: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira at UFC 287
Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira fought for the fourth time in combat sports at UFC 287. Pereira was 2-0 in Kickboxing and 1-0 in MMA against Adesanya. However, Adesanya flipped the script at UFC 287.
In the fight, Adesanya played possum to lure in Pereira and landed a quick right hand that rocked Pereira. He followed it up with another right hand that knocked Pereira out cold. Adesanya also landed a follow-up shot before referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in. Adesanya’s iconic triple crossbow celebration made the victory even more sweeter.
FAQs
Who did The Korean Zombie fight in his retirement fight?Max Holloway
Who is the only fighter to knock out Alex Pereira in MMA?Israel Adesanya
Who has the shortest average fight time in the UFC?Tom Aspinall
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