When watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans live for knockouts. What stays with them are the elbows, the punches, and the moments when the audience explodes. Fighters who know how to end the fight in style through stunning knockouts earn a special spot in UFC lore.
Below is our complete data-backed countdown list of the top UFC fighters with the most knockouts in history, each ranked from most to least according to official records.
1. Derrick Lewis – 16 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’KX2LDTbTRwReUMx3QXVlDg’,sig:’XaRJ_QegT-bGKbnAyEPhAuelK1zBJr19xq4UAuRl0nk=’,w:’594px’,h:’371px’,items:’1582008071′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Derrick Lewis dominates our conversation about the UFC fighter with the most knockouts. As of May 2025, he holds the UFC knockout record of 16 KOs on his resume. Now that is not luck. That is some serious heavyweight strength at its most dangerous.
Lewis “The Black Beast” has put notable opponents, such as Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Marcin Tybura, to sleep with his real knockout force.
2. Matt Brown – 13 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’DqMxeQvbTdxp_aX4MEMvbg’,sig:’6tzS10wCK-A1Wg60BZcrwHQXF7WZ-gnMhaIAUL36zWo=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1193998017′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});With 13 KOs in the welterweight division to his name, and nearly all of them absolutely brutal, Matt Brown is not flashy; he is relentlessly aggressive!
“The Immortal” possesses immense power in both arms. His brutal elbows have created some viral moments throughout his career.
Brown’s name might not be the loudest on the UFC fighters list, but his professional record speaks loudly enough. Some of his best knockouts came against Erick Silva, Diego Sanchez, Tim Means, and Stephen Thompson.
3. Anderson Silva – 11 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’7eNVMWLMSppNImbGXpEHRQ’,sig:’mVQKNJq5YnV3viVzCRiER3_JVtqvvjnpUawbFK_2Cjo=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1143152198′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});With most KOs in the middleweight division, Anderson Silva has shown everyone that one doesn’t have to be brutish about all this. Cage IQ and finesse are equally important.
His illustrious career boasts 11 knockouts, with some of his most notable victories coming against MMA icons such as Vitor Belfort, Rich Franklin, Chael Sonnen, and Forrest Griffin. He is tied with some other fighters with 11 KOs in the UFC.
“The Spider’s” insane striking strategy and creativity highlight his remarkable reign as middleweight champion. Many of his fight finishes still headline UFC fight highlights compilations today.
4. Anthony Johnson – 11 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’vwfXVpH7R811AkpmhJgn1A’,sig:’86TtLhmDDpXiC8yIHOMDgsSM4iA34KSzEvOD2w0FfF8=’,w:’594px’,h:’395px’,items:’665942414′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});The late legendary Anthony “Rumble” Johnson had special knockout power. He struck differently. One of his most memorable fights was against Alexander Gustafsson when he pinned him in the very first round.
After that notable first fight, Johnson did not stop. He continued stacking knockout victories by beating Glover Teixeira, Dan Hardy, Rogerio Nogueira, and Ryan Bader. His fight finishes rank among the most devastating UFC KOs in light heavyweight history.
5. Dustin Poirier – 11 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’N6BM5VbjRbdPIftsMqJrfg’,sig:’2oAaYR_F90F7toOCxWoyt5Z_zTddIp5-i80CLhh7FY4=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’2155672380′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Dustin Poirier owns a solid resume of victories inside the octagon that includes 11 wins by knockout. Remember when he wiped out Conor McGregor? That was not accidental. His knockouts showcase exceptional timing.
“The Diamond” is among the UFC fighters with the most knockouts in lightweight history. He has been a strong lightweight contender for years, but he has yet to win a gold medal.
6. Max Holloway – 11 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’_u7gJ4joSCVUAGs_kz6KtQ’,sig:’8EgN20cQ0jVI6byU2NTPJBJIEhhpK1b006_0hcnsceU=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’2181232514′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Max “Blessed” Holloway has achieved almost everything, from winning a UFC division to amassing the most strikes in UFC history. His 11 knockouts only add to his stellar record.
Holloway isn’t famous for being a power puncher. He is known for volume. His most recent knockout win is perhaps one of the best UFC knockouts when he turned off Justin Gaethje’s lights in the last ten seconds of the bout. That sort of confidence comes from control.
7. Thiago Santos – 11 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’e-NNF6u3RRF0KSTl-4gyrw’,sig:’tfXF858fAeCQ6KIv6YB0UrwoR06mBvCHyMKIW78LY74=’,w:’594px’,h:’395px’,items:’531443406′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Thiago Santos may not be the first name that comes to UFC fans’ minds, but his 11 knockout wins prove he is one of the most dangerous strikers to step into the Octagon. The Brazilian has beaten the likes of Anthony Smith, Jack Hermansson, and Jan Blachowicz, employing a mixture of brutal kicks and punches.
He fights with fierce intent. He competes at middleweight and light heavyweight, and his knockout wins reflect a resume built on risk-taking and aggression. This is why he earns a spot on this list.
8. Michael Bisping – 10 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’L_A_Zz-DRg9KZc9bixXebg’,sig:’nE0fc_b1Ir1pAlhBnaV2oZBfNU9c4GlCMDdtY-vZn0M=’,w:’594px’,h:’395px’,items:’454009268′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Michael Bisping built his MMA career on durability and pressure, yet he piled up 10 KOs in the Octagon. Tied with a few other fighters with 10 KOs in the UFC, Bisping’s most notable knockout was against Luke Rockhold. That changed everything. He became the first British fighter to win the UFC middleweight title.
Some other notable KO wins for “The Count” came against Cung Le, Brian Stann, and Denis Kang. His finishes were not always very flashy, but were sharp. That is what matters in the UFC knockout record conversation.
9. Cain Velasquez – 10 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’gdttrBPoT_hGnQ-8deZSPA’,sig:’riMPtpKlagI8w-mBafDMs-fXv8CCsnLyCKZDrerLGg8=’,w:’594px’,h:’410px’,items:’96913958′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Known for relentless pace, devastating knockout power, and elite cardio, Cain Velasquez is one of the most formidable heavyweights in UFC history. Earning 10 knockout wins in this division is no small accomplishment. That is sustained dominance.
Velasquez overwhelmed opponents with grappling and volume striking. Some of his noteworthy finishes were against legends like Antonio Silva and Brock Lesnar. His ground and pound knockouts still feature in historic UFC fight highlights.
10. Junior Dos Santos – 10 Knockouts
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’4sLxFmbXSAdq6ByZgItznA’,sig:’H3irUqMDyP_yjz6xdAex78-aV62HktQyopE7lXC3fuc=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1129507571′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Junior Dos Santos is considered one of the most prolific KO artists in UFC history. Earning 10 knockout victories inside the Octagon isn’t a small feat. That reflects a peak level of finishing strength, placing him among the UFC fighters with the most knockouts in the heavyweight division.
He has built his reputation on devastating encounters and clean technique. His remarkable finishes over icons like Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, and Frank Mir proved just how dangerous his hands could be. His trademark overhand right turned into a nightmare for opponents, frequently bringing bouts to a spectacular conclusion.
