Top 10 UFC knockouts from Conor McGregor’s 13-second finish to head kick that left Ronda Rousey out cold

UFC knockouts come in a variety of vicious ways, and over the years fans have seen fighters get knocked out in every way imaginable.

From power punches to karate kicks and everything in between, KO has been hailed by countless fans as the best of all time.

Following a record-breaking night at UFC 300, talkSPORT.com has put together a list of 10 knockouts who stand out above the rest after 30 years of sickening stops in MMA’s premier league.

10. Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm | UFC 193

Holm literally kicks off our list with her stunning second round KO victory over Rousey. “Rowdy” was the biggest star on the roster and a heavy favorite to defend her bantamweight belt before being put to sleep by a headbutt from Holm in November 2015.

9. Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards II | UFC 278

Edwards lived up to his nickname in his second fight with Usman in September 2022. “Rocky” was on the cards and was written off by the commentators before KOing Usman with a final head kick to become the second champion British UFC.

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8. Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping | UFC 100

Bisping had to pay for Henderson’s trash talk when he went into his signature “H-Bomb” at the show celebrating the UFC’s first century in July 2009. Henderson followed his unconscious rival to the ground and landed another massive blow before KOing his logo.

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7. Alistair Overeem vs. Francis Ngannou | UFC 218

Ngannou’s “world record” power was best captured in his December 2017 fight with Overeem. The 6ft 4in, 18 stone heavyweight legend was sent flying through the air by an uppercut knockout that always goes viral every time Ngannou fights.

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6. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort | UFC 126

Silva’s historic middleweight title reign has been filled with standout moments, but none of them better than his result against Belfort in February 2011. “The Spider” scored the first knockout of the UFC against one of the most formidable opponents he has ever faced.

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#5 Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje | UFC 300

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Holloway scored a faceplant finish against Gaethje in the final second of their BMF fight and left many people thinking he was the new owner of the sport’s greatest knockout immediately after UFC 300.

4. José Aldo vs. Conor McGregor | UFC 194

McGregor turned doubters into believers and catapulted himself to superstardom when he knocked out the best featherweight of all time in 13 seconds to become the undisputed 145-pound king in December 2015.

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3. Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim | UFC 142

Barboza scored the first spinning wheel kick 12 years ago when he turned Liverpool fighter Etim into a statue and booked a perennial place on the UFC’s knockout list.

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2. Impa Kasangnay vs. Joaquin Buckley | UFC Fight Night 179

Buckley’s knockout spinning kick on Kasangnay in October 2020 was so epic that it earned presidential praise from Donald Trump and even inspired Kanye West to write new music. Many people will have him at the top of their UFC KO list, but he just missed ours.

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1. Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren | UFC 239

Masvidal ended his conflict with Askren in the most devastating way possible. Innovative and unexpected, “Gambred” surprised his rival and knocked him out with a flying knee in five seconds.

After setting a nearly unbreakable fastest UFC KO record, Masvidal added insult to injury by mocking Askren as he lay stiff as a board on the ground.

It’s certainly the fastest knockout ever, but we think it’s also the best.

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Honorable mentions: Michael Chander def. Tony Ferguson, Lyoto Machida def. Randy Couture, Cheick Kongo def. Pat Barry, Amanda Nunes def. Cris Cyborg.

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