5 UFC fighters who were KO’d for the first time

UFC fighters provide fans of combat sports with some thrilling experiences. While MMA has numerous ways in which a bout can end, knockouts are always the most definitive conclusions to fights.

Sometimes a knockout is relatively unremarkable. It's merely fighters getting rocked by one heavy blow before being finished with follow-up punches. In other instances, fights end in a more thunderous manner, like Jorge Masvidal flatlining Ben Askren with a flying knee within five seconds. Such KOs have always been the headline-stealers in MMA circles.

The most pulsating knockouts, however, are the ones that come against fighters who have never been finished before. This list covers five UFC fighters who were knocked out for the first time but haven't been knocked out again since.

#5. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Corey Nelson, Australian FC 5

Alexander Volkanovski is the best P4P fighter in the world. He is currently the reigning UFC featherweight champion and is scheduled to face lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev for the 155 lbs crown in February. While many are concerned about the Australian's size disadvantage against Makhachev, he's fought larger foes than the Dagestani.

Alexander Volkanovski’s only career lost came in 2013. He fought Corey Nelson at welterweight.

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'The Great' has a nearly spotless MMA record. However, prior to his eventual UFC run, he suffered the lone loss of his career after crossing swords with Corey Nelson in a welterweight bout. Within seconds of the third round starting, the future UFC featherweight titleholder was overwhelmed by a head kick and follow-up punches.

It remains the only loss of Volkanovski's career. Barring a few knockdowns that he suffered in future bouts, the Australian phenom hasn't come close to being knocked out again.

#4. Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chandler, UFC 274

Tony Ferguson is one of the most remarkable lightweights in UFC history. The former interim titleholder was once at the helm of one of the most terrifying win streaks in the promotion's history. He was the owner of a 12-fight win streak that left most of his foes looking like car crash victims.

FRONT KICK TO THE FACE! 🤯

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MICHAEL CHANDLER WITH MAYBE THE KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR! 💥

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Not only was he a force of nature with endless cardio, but he was also as tough as any fighter could hope to be. Long before the recent downswing his career underwent, 'El Cucuy' had never been knocked out. While his loss to Justin Gaethje was a TKO, he was still on his feet when Herb Dean stepped in and called the fight.

That streak continued until the former interim champion faced Michael Chandler at UFC 274. While 'El Cucuy' gave fans a glimpse of his former self, it didn't amount to anything. In the opening seconds of the second round, 'Iron' uncorked a thunderous front kick that crushed Ferguson's chin, KO'ing him stiff.

#3. Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2, UFC 257

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are more than familiar with each other. The pair first crossed swords nine years ago in the featherweight division. The Irishman emerged victorious after clipping 'The Diamond' with a left hook behind the ear. Nearly a decade later, however, the Louisianan would have his revenge.

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UFC 257 was meant to be a fresh start for 'The Notorious' as he sought to work his way into a title fight. Unfortunately, Poirier had other plans. Their first round was competitive, but the Irishman seemed to be getting the better of the striking exchanges. However, Poirier still punished him with calf kicks.

Furthermore, he repeatedly punished McGregor's tendency to lean too far forward by countering him with check hooks. By the second round, the Irishman's lead leg was battered, and the check hooks had paid dividends. Poirier trapped him against the fence and unloaded a combination that flattened him for a second-round TKO.

#2. Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic 2, UFC 241

While Daniel Cormier's rematch against Jon Jones was initially ruled a knockout loss, it didn't go down as such in the record books. Due to 'DC's archnemesis testing positive for PEDs, the bout was ruled a no-contest. Thus, at the time, Cormier had never technically been knocked out.

All of that changed after 'DC' chose to rematch Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight throne. The former Olympian was victorious in their initial bout after punishing Miocic for his tendency to drop his hands after exiting the clinch. In an ironic twist, Miocic made Cormier pay for his own tendencies in their rematch.

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Cormier was one of the shorter fighters in the heavyweight division. To counter his opponent's jab, he extended his arms forward to trap their hands and throw looping counters over their jabs. Unfortunately, doing so left his midsection wholly unprotected.

Thus, in the fourth round of their rematch, Miocic brutally battered Cormier's midsection with body shots. Eventually, 'DC' lowered his arms to protect his midsection, exposing his chin. Miocic pounced, landing several punches en route to dropping and TKO'ing 'DC' with follow-up punches.

#1. Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2, UFC 278

The rematch between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman was years in the making. At the time, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' was the undisputed kingpin of the welterweight division. Meanwhile, 'Rocky' was a 170 lbs hopeful who dreamt of capturing his first-ever world title.

🚨 Kamaru Usman gets KNOCKED OUT by Leon Edwards!!!

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The pair had previously clashed, with Usman emerging victorious after claiming a lopsided unanimous decision win. Their rematch seemed to follow a similar trajectory. Barring the first round, during which Edwards became the first fighter to take Usman down, their rematch at UFC 278 showed Usman's domination up until the final minute.

With only a minute left in the final round, 'The Nigerian Nightmare's title reign came to an abrupt end. Edwards faked a straight left, duping him into slipping his head to the outside—and into the path of a seismic head kick. Usman was knocked unconscious before he ever fell to the mat; the first KO loss of his career.