Top 10 UFC Knockouts Of 2025

Fight fans were treated to a jaw-dropping catalogue of KOs this year, including some of the rarest and most phenomenal forms of finishing a foe imaginable.

From rookies enjoying dream debuts to phenoms earning legendary status as two-division champions, fighters across the board contributed to making 2025 one of the most exciting years in UFC history.

Without further ado, I give you my 10 best knockouts in the UFC this year:

10: The King of Chaos

Down two rounds and needing a finish in the third of his high-stakes showdown against fellow top-five light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 320 in October, Jiri Prochazka unleashed unbridled chaos like only he can, embodying a swarm of bees and ultimately putting “The War Horse” down with a left hook.

https://twitter.com/rony_random/status/1974935694322848159

9: Sleeping In Seattle

On a three-fight losing streak, Ricky Simon showed up and showed out at UFC Seattle in February, landing a perfect one-two to blast Javid Basharat out cold.

https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1893458072175095974

8: Dream Debut

Joo Sang Yoo needed just 28 seconds to signal his arrival in the world’s pre-eminent mixed martial arts promotion, the South Korean prospect landing a perfectly timed left hand to face-plant Jeka Saragih at UFC 316 in June.

7: Three. Two. One. Boom!

Quillan Salkilld dropped a bomb at UFC 321 in October, starching Nasrat Haqparast with a horrifying head kick. You could hear a pin drop in the Etihad Arena as Haqparast remained motionless for several minutes before he ultimately came to. 

https://twitter.com/FStylesMMA/status/1982141160022798499

6: Back From The Brink

Going through it and getting dominated by Abdul Razak Alhassan, Cesar Almeida turned the tables in spectacular fashion with a perfect counter left hook that knocked “Judo Thunder” out cold at UFC Vegas 101 in January.

5: Becoming Legendary

Former featherweight king Ilia Topuria became the first undefeated fighter in history to become a two-division champion when he slept the legendary Charles Oliveira in the first round of their main event showdown at UFC 317 in June to capture the vacant lightweight championship.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1939191105406542013

4: A Living Nightmare

Carlos “The Nightmare” Prates lived up to his moniker and became the first man to knock out Geoff Neal when he uncorked a spinning back elbow in the final seconds of the first round at UFC 319 in August.

https://twitter.com/Fedzmma/status/1956922257265315931

3: King Slayer

Mauricio Ruffy rocked Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena when he face-planted King Green with a wicked spinning wheel kick in the UFC 313 main card opener in May.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1898902373944447315

2: Grand Slam

Elijah Smith put himself on the map when he channelled his inner Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and knocked Toshiomi Kazama out cold with a brutal powerbomb at UFC Vegas 109 in August.

https://twitter.com/Mintyizzy_eth/status/1954694679129412023

1: Un-be-lievable

Minutes after Prates’ stunner (No. 4), the undefeated Lerone Murphy showed everything the Brazilian can do, he can do better, as he spoiled Aaron Pico’s UFC debut with an even cleaner spinning back elbow in UFC 319’s co-main event.

https://twitter.com/ufcontnt/status/1957780479366578284