Robert Whittaker and 4 other UFC fighters who scored KOs after years without one
For most UFC fighters, there is no better way to punctuate a win than with a knockout. Unfortunately, not everyone has the kind of jaw-crushing punching power that Francis Ngannou does. Moreover, the deeper a division, the more difficult it is to score a knockout against hyper-competent foes.
Nevertheless, nothing quite beats the feeling of shutting an opponent's lights out. Some fighters find that knockouts come more easily to them, whether its due to their punching power or a lack of high-level defensive striking in their division's top 10. Sometimes, it can be both.
For this reason, some situations will see a fighter score a knockout after several years have passed. This past weekend was no different, with a former champion finding his first finish in quite some time.
#5 Dominick Reyes, UFC light heavyweight
At one point, Dominick Reyes was an undefeated destroyer in the UFC light heavyweight division. By 2019, he was 12-0, with seven of his 12 wins coming by way of knockout, including a stoppage over ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Alas, it would be his last knockout for some time.
He found himself on a rough patch after losing via unanimous decision to Jon Jones in a title fight. Thereafter, he was knocked out in three successive fights, and was solidly outside of the top 10.
Check out Dominick Reyes KO'ing Dustin Jacoby:
On the verge of being cut, he staged a comeback against Dustin Jacoby, knocking him out at UFC Louisville. The win, a first-round knockout, was his first in five years, and he will hope that it signals a return to form for 'The Devastator.'
#4 Belal Muhammad, UFC welterweight
Belal Muhammad is currently set to headline UFC 304, where he will challenge Leon Edwards for the promotion's welterweight title. 'Remember the Name' will bring every ounce of skill at his disposal. But that won't include power, as Muhammad is not known for his knockouts.
His most recent knockout or TKO came against the then unbeaten Sean Brady at UFC 280 in 2022. Before that, though? 'Remember the Name' hadn't knocked anyone out in six years, with his previous stoppage having taken place at a Fight Night even against Augusto Montaño in 2016.
Check out Belal Muhammad TKO'ing Sean Brady:
However, Muhammad doesn't often pursue knockouts, as he usually punctuates his performances with cardio, pace, volume, and relentless wrestling.
#3 Sean Strickland, UFC middleweight
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland is one of the most defensively sound strikers in the promotion, having even neutralized the great Israel Adesanya during their clash. Though Strickland makes up for in defensive wizardry, he lacks in punching power.
He enjoyed his most recent stoppage in a bout with the then streaking Abusupiyan Magomedov, who 'Tarzan' TKO'd within two rounds. Despite often talking about wanting to hurt his foes, and even once claiming to dream about causing someone's death inside the octagon, Strickland is no wild man in the cage.
Check out Sean Strickland TKO'ing Abusupiyan Magomedov:
Before the Magomedov win, which was in 2023, he hadn't had a knockout since 2020, when he TKO'd grappler extraordinaire Brendan Allen, also within two rounds. While he clings strongly to hallmarks of stereotypical masculinity, Strickland himself admits to being a pillow-fisted puncher.
#2 Leon Edwards, current UFC welterweight champion
Leon Edwards may very well have given fans the wrong idea of who he is as a fighter during his sophomore UFC fight. He sparked Seth Baczynski in just 8 seconds. However, despite being naturally powerful, 'Rocky' is a patient and technical fighter who does not pursue the finish.
In fact, he has only three knockouts in 17 fights in the promotion. His next knockout was in 2018 against Peter Sobotta, who he finished in the final second of round three. He would not finish anybody else for the next four years, when he locked horns with Kamaru Usman for the welterweight strap in 2022.
Check out Leon Edwards KO'ing Kamaru Usman:
Despite a strong start to the fight, including becoming the first fighter to take down Usman, Edwards tired massively, before staging an all-time great comeback to knock 'The Nigerian Nightmare' out cold with a head kick in the closing seconds of round five.
#1 Robert Whittaker, UFC middleweight
Although he is one of the most skilled middleweights in the world, Robert Whittaker isn't a consistent finisher. That isn't to say he's pillow-fisted, but before UFC Saudi Arabia, 'The Reaper' hadn't knocked out anyone since 2017, when he TKO'd legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza.
Seven years later, the Australian star took on rising Dagestani prospect Ikram Aliskerov, who stepped in on short-notice for Khamzat Chimaev, who had fallen gravely ill. Despite promises to prove his hunger to everyone, Aliskerov encountered a rude awakening inside the octagon.
Check out Robert Whittaker KO'ing Ikram Aliskerov:
Whittaker stunned him early in round one, before flattening him with an uppercut, reminiscent to the uppercut that Chimaev had used to knock Aliskerov unconscious in their previous outing.