Top 10 quickest knockouts in MMA history

Mixed martial arts is special for many reasons, not least the many methods of victory available to combatants. In a sport where a fighter can be felled by a vicious head kick, choked to unconsciousness or slowly picked apart for 25 enduring minutes, combatants have to be prepared for anything.

That being said, not many would have anticipated being knocked out quite as fast as the felled fighters below, as we present a selection of ten of MMA’s fastest-ever knockouts. With a number of bouts to choose from, this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but serves to highlight just how devastating – and quick – mixed martial arts contests can be.

10. Marcos Rogerio de Lima bt. Richardson Moreira – UFC TUF Brazil 3 – 20 seconds

In this May 2014 contest, de Lima managed to land a knee and then deliver a right and the fight was over. Many fans would have been disappointed as they would have been hoping to witness something more competitive.

9. Phil Baroni bt. Dave Menne – UFC 39 – 18 seconds

In a long but largely indifferent MMA career, this was one of Baroni’s best performances – arguably his greatest ever. He managed to round off and knockout Menne with a series of killer punches in this 2002 bout.

8. Ronda Rousey bt. Alexis Davis – UFC 175 – 16 seconds

Rousey, who was, of course, noted for being a judo and submission specialist, took out Davis with a punch followed up by a knee and then delivered a series of hits as she lay on the ground before it was lights out.

7. Anthony Johnson bt. Chad Reiner – UFC Fight Night 10 – 13 seconds

This June 2007 match featured two then UFC newcomers in action. Like a lot of fights featuring two relatively unknown competitors, it was not really much of a contest as “Rumble” went on to win quickly through a series of devastating strikes, before going on to be known as one of the most fearsome strikers in MMA history.

6. Johny Hendricks bt. Jon Fitch – UFC 141 – 12 seconds

Although Fitch was a decent fighter during his heyday, this fight proved that he was past his best as he was defeated in just 12 seconds by a classy Hendricks, who was starting to make a name for himself in the UFC.

5. Duane Ludwig bt. Jonathan Goulet – UFC Fight Night 3 – 11 seconds

Just over 1000 fans attended to watch this spectacle in 2006 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Ludwig ended up dropping Goulet onto the canvas face first with a right cross.

4. Mark Weir bt. Eugene Jackson – UFC 38 – 10 seconds

Weir made his debut in fine fashion as he knocked out Jackson within 10 seconds at UFC 38, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Weir caught Jackson with a short right hand as the two were close; little did he know that it would prove to be his only victory for the promotion. Shame!

3. James Irvin bt. Houston Alexander – UFC Fight Night 13 – 8 seconds

Alexander was embarrassing in this fight in terms of his performance, despite being subject to considerable hype prior to the contest. After being greeted with a superman punch from Irvin, he never recovered.

2. Todd Duffee bt. Tim Hague – UFC 102 – 7 seconds

Fresh off a submission victory over Pat Barry, Tim Hague was seen as an up-and-coming heavyweight prospect coming into UFC 102. However, Todd Duffee brought that crashing down with a crisp jab fresh out of the gate, putting the lights out on the 10-1 Hague and spelling the end of his short time in the spotlight.

1. Jordan Fowler bt. Dylan Goforth – 4 seconds – Pyramid Fights

Fowler took just four seconds to defeat Goforth as he finished him off with a head kick. It was an amateur bout at 195lbs. Nevertheless, it is regarded as one of the quickest knockouts of all-time.