UFC
February’s Top Five UFC Knockouts
There was no love lost inside the Octagon in the month of love, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld as he selects February’s top five UFC knockouts.
The shortest month of the year had no shortage of spectacular finishes in the UFC. Debutants announced themselves in style, knockout artists continued their punishing ways, while others broke out of slumps. Plus, one of the all-time greats was stunningly stopped.
Without further ago, check out February’s finest finishes:
Honorable Mentions:
Short And Sweet
Tallison Teixeira’s UFC debut was short and sweet as the undefeated Brazilian blasted Justin Tafa with an elbow for a 35-second knockout at UFC 312.
6’7” TALLISON TEIXEIRA KNOCKS OUT JUSTIN TAFA IN 30 SECONDS! 😳
— Combat Buzz (@CombatBuzzX) February 9, 2025
NAST ELBOW ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rIp3eCRRee
No Escape
Jean Silva made it 4-0 in the UFC, all by knockouts, when he merked Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle. The Brazilian bulldozer initially let up after dropping his opponent but after seeing the referee just standing by, he jumped back on him to force the stoppage.
5: Golden Glory
Edmen “The Golden Boy” Shahbazyan added to his list of first-round finishes with a 95-second drubbing of Dylan Budka at UFC Vegas 102, cracking his counterpart with a beautiful counter right hand for the win.
Dylan Budka Had Heart, But Edmen Shahbazyan Had the Hands! One shot, one moment, and it’s all over!🥊💥
— STARZPLAY | ستارزبلاي (@STARZPlayArabia) February 16, 2025
Video Courtesy : UFC#UFCFightNight #EdmenShahbazyan #DylanBudka pic.twitter.com/wKkuMRGW6s
4: Don’t Blink
Quillan Salkilld needed just one punishing piston-like right hand and 19 seconds to put away Anshul Jubli in his Octagon debut in front of his home crowd at UFC 312.
Salkilld Strikes! Quillan Salkilld puts on a clinic and hands Anshul Jubli a harsh lesson in the art of combat. 📖💥
— STARZPLAY | ستارزبلاي (@STARZPlayArabia) February 9, 2025
Video Courtesy: UFC #UFC312 #QuillanSalkilld #AnshulJubli pic.twitter.com/GJND0tGNLR
3: A Shocker In Saudi Arabia
Nassourdine Imavov shocked the world in his main event showdown against Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia, the Frenchman connecting with a beautiful overhand right and crushing left before landing a few follow-up shots to stop the former two-time middleweight champion in the second round.
😱😱 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW IL L'A FAIT !!!!!
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) February 1, 2025
🇫🇷 NASSOURDINE IMAVOV TERMINE ISRAEL ADESANYA !!!!!!
💥💥 C'EST LA PLUS BELLE VICTOIRE DU MMA FRANÇAIS !!!!! pic.twitter.com/HKDF8I8okA
2: One Hitter Quitter
Shamil Gaziev left jaws on the floor when he packed up Thomas Petersen with a single right hand to register a remarkable walk-off knockout at UFC Saudi Arabia.
SHAMIL GAZIEV 🇧🇭 ÉTEINT THOMAS PETERSEN 🇺🇸 AU 1ER ROUND 💥#UFCSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/pdwn2gSbnN
— 5ᵉᵐᵉ Round (@5Round_MMA) February 1, 2025
1: Sleeping In Seattle
On a three-fight losing streak, Ricky Simon showed up and showed out at UFC Seattle, landing a perfect one-two to blast Javid Basharat out cold.
WHAT A KNOCKOUT 😱 #UFCSeattle@RickySimonUFC stops Javid Basharat in round ONE! pic.twitter.com/6A594Ql9kK
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 23, 2025