There were some incredible knockouts in the UFC in 2019, including a few memorable ones by Jorge Masvidal, who had a monster year that concluded for him by winning the BMF belt in his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 244 (though hopefully they run that one back).
We saw big knockouts in title fights, big-name fights, early prelim fights – just about everywhere.
Will there be anymore at UFC 245 this weekend, a monster event that has three title fights on its main card?
While we get ready for that huge night of fights, let’s look back at the 10 best KOs from the past year.
10. Makhmud Muradov vs. Trevor Smith, UFC Washington.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE MOUTHPIECE 👀@MakhmudMuradov got #UFCDC started with a bang 💥 pic.twitter.com/rXE90VWjrQ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2019
This one happened just a few days ago as Muradov kicked off UFC Washington by sending Smith’s mouthguard flying to the moon.
9. Johnny Walker vs. Misha Cirkunov, UFC 235.
Walker’s flying knee just 30 seconds into this fight was a thing of beauty. His celebration afterward wasn’t, however, as he dislocated his shoulder while doing the worm.
8. Josh Emmett vs. Michael Johnson, UFC Philadelphia.
OH MY GOODNESS JOSH EMMETT!!@JoshEmmettUFC #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/2Ci5TSFFni
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
Emmett started slow in this fight but he finished pretty strong with that right hand that put Johnson out on his feet. My goodness.
7. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye, UFC 238.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye. One of the most horrifying head kicks you'll ever see. pic.twitter.com/Fw00860TRz
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) June 9, 2019
Shevchenko is one of the most dangerous fighters in the fight game and she proved that during her flyweight title defense in June.
6. Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas, UFC 237.
That time Jessica Andrade ruined Rose's Saturday night #UFC237
pic.twitter.com/MHyXynrC03— Bleacher Preacher / Sports (@BleachrPreachr) May 12, 2019
Andrade put an end to Namajunas’ run as strawweight champ with that stunning slam in the second round of their fight back in May.
5. Justin Gaethje vs Edson Barboza. UFC Philadelphia.
WE TOLD YOU THIS FIGHT WOULDN'T DISAPPOINT!@Justin_Gaethje puts Barboza away in round 1! #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/WD40HcctN9
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
Gaethje picked up yet another Fight of the Night bonus thanks to that overhand right that put an end to the main event at UFC Philadelphia in March.
4. Jorge Masvidal vs. Darren Till, UFC Fight Night 147.
Here's a replay of Jorge Masvidal's brutal KO on Darren Till.#UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/6RE8D7oyfo
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) March 17, 2019
Masvidal had an incredible 2019, which began with this brutal KO of Darren Till in enemy territory in London. Not sure that last punch while Till was out was super necessary, but the BMF does as he pleases. We’ll get to another one of his awesome KO’s in a few.
3. Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie, UFC 244.
— UFC Unwrapped (@UFCunwrapped) December 6, 2019
Kevin Lee put Gregor Gillespie to sleep midway through the first round of their fight at MSG with that BRUTAL left head kick.
2. Anthony Pettis vs. Stephen Thompson, UFC Fight Night 148.
ANTHONY PETTIS JUST SENT WONDERBOY TO THE GROUND WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH WOAH pic.twitter.com/zIQLNvCdMF
— Dylan (@Dylangonzalez21) March 24, 2019
Pettis’ superman punch with five seconds left in the second round of his fight against Wonderboy Thompson was a beautiful piece of controlled violence.
1. Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren, UFC 239.
Jorge Masvidal with fastest KO in UFC history. #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/fruEXWj6Q5
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) July 7, 2019
This fight had so much hype behind it and then… it was over in five seconds thanks to a flying knee that will never be forgotten. Five seconds! It led to this great reaction from Paul Felder, Joe Rogan, and Jon Anik:
You legally have to watch this three times to watch how great Felder, Rogan, and Anik’s reactions are to the Jorge Masvidal KO pic.twitter.com/nEPjoU1UMZ
— Dylan (@Dylangonzalez21) July 8, 2019