5 fastest UFC knockouts of 2018
2019 is well and truly here but we can't help but reminisce about the year that went by. 2018 was, for good and for worse, dominated by the shenanigans that happened outside the Octagon. A bus attack, a free-for-all brawl at UFC 229, Jon Jones being Jon Jones and some highly questionable decisions made by the UFC; it felt like Vince McMahon was booking the entire gig.
As the old adage goes, controversy creates cash and Dana White and co. made truckloads of it from all the chaos that eventuated. New PPV buy-rate records, highest gate numbers, and an undeniable mainstream presence rounded up the 25th year of the promotion's existence in lavish style.
The action inside the Octagon wasn't too bad either. We got not one, but two double champions, the fall of mighty overlords in a few divisions, the rise of newfangled superstars, and some darn good fights. We, the fans, were treated to a vehement showcase of technical clinics and all-out slugfests and also a few forgettable stinkers.
The knockouts, however, kept coming in abundance and some of them were faster than the babysitter's boyfriend when the car pulls up. We have counted down the quickest knockouts of 2018 in this slider with, of course, videos of the finishes.
Honorable mentions
Devonte Smith def. Julian Erosa (0:46, Round 1)
Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago (0:50, Round 1)
Amanda Nunes Nunes def. Cris Cyborg (0:5, Round 1)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Evan Dunham (0:53, Round 1)
Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans (0:53, Round 1)
Islam Makhachev def. Gleison Tibau (0:57, Round 1)
#5 Francis Ngannou def. Curtis Blaydes (KO/TKO, 0:45)
The sequel between the two Heavyweight juggernauts had a similar result as their first outing but this time, all it took was a minute for the Cameroonian-Frenchman to put away the American.
A lot was riding on this fight for both men. Francis Ngannou came into the fight with a fractured aura as he had lost his two previous bouts against Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis. Blaydes hadn't lost in his last six fights with his only loss coming against Ngannou in their first fight.
Ngannou wanted to put on a statement while Blaydes wanted retribution as well as a catapulting win to a Heavyweight title shot.
An overhand right to Blaydes' temple and before you knew it, Ngannou was all over him throwing bombs until the referee stepped in. Blaydes may not have agreed with the referee's stoppage but we're glad he didn't have to take a few more shots.
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