5 latest finishes in UFC title fights
While the majority of the UFC’s main events are now scheduled for five rounds, there’s still something special about a big-time title fight that goes into the so-called 'championship rounds', particularly if it ends there.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of UFC title bouts that go the distance, but we’ve also seen them finished at the last possible moment, shocking the fans in the process.
Presenting 5 of the top late finishes ever 💥
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While they remain rare, there have been a number of title bouts that finished in the fifth and final round – but which finish came at the latest point?
Here are the five latest finishes in UFC title bouts.
#5. Demetrious Johnson vs. Ray Borg – UFC flyweight title – 3:15 in Round 5
With 11 successful title defenses in a row to his name, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson remains one of the most dominant titleholders in the history of the promotion.
Despite a curious reputation as a somewhat dull fighter at times, ‘Mighty Mouse’ was not just a dominant champion – he was a finisher too, with seven of his 11 defenses ending before the final buzzer. However, he was no stranger to leaving things late, as Ray Borg found out in their 2017 title bout.
Johnson largely dominated the fight from the off, never letting ‘The Tazmexican Devil’ get comfortable. Despite Borg landing a couple of takedowns, for the most part he was forced firmly onto the defensive.
Despite this, as the rounds ticked away, it looked more and more likely that Borg would probably survive to the final buzzer, even after Johnson completely controlled him on the ground throughout the fourth round.
With just under two minutes remaining in the fifth, though, ‘Mighty Mouse’ had other ideas. After taking Borg’s back from a standing position, he was somehow able to elevate the challenger into the air for a suplex, before releasing the hold in mid-air and transitioning directly into an armbar.
Mighty Mouse with the flying armbar in the fifth round! 🤯
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Borg was forced to tap out after a moment or two, and Johnson had not only secured one of the most unique submissions in octagon history, he’d also scored one of the latest finishes in any title bout, too.