Sidekick Ranks: Top 5 UFC Flyweight Knockouts

The UFC is undoubtedly the biggest MMA promotion in the world. Started back in 1993, it has made its name as the premier destination for an MMA fighter. And the best fighters in the world compete in the organization. Having been around for over three decades, the promotion has seen fighters get knocked out in every manner imaginable.

The knockouts come in a variety of vicious ways, from powerful punches to karate kicks and everything in between. There have been countless KOs fans have hailed as the best of all time. That said, in this piece, we will take a look at the best 5 knockouts in the promotion’s history from the flyweight division.

Top 5 flyweight knockouts in the UFC

Before we start with this edition of Sidekick Ranks, we would like to make it clear that the rankings are in no particular order and are not ranked from best to worst or the other way around. With that out of the way, let’s kick-start the rankings.

5 Kai Kara-France vs Cody Garbrandt

Back in 2021, Kai Kara-France welcomed Cody Garbrandt to the flyweight division with an explosive knockout. The two squared off at UFC 269 when the New Zealand native showcased a picture of dominance, lighting Garbrandt up with a slick striking attack en route to a vicious first-round knockout win. With this, Kara-France extended his winning run to two fights after previously securing a knockout at UFC 259.

The knockout is widely considered to be one of the best ever in the UFC and is undoubtedly one of the best in the flyweight division.

4 Matheus Nicolau Vs. Alex Perez

At UFC Vegas 91, the then No.5 ranked Matheus Nicolau took on No.8 ranked Alex Perez in a fight that was scheduled for five rounds. However, Perez had no intention of taking the fight to the later rounds. Around the midway point of the second round, Perez had Nicolau trapped against the cage and landed a vicious overhand right.

The strike made Nicolau’s body limb and he fell to the canvas as the referee rushed to stop the fight. The win secured Perez’s first win following a three-fight losing streak and also gave fans a knockout to remember for ages.

Shop Sidekick Here!

3 Alexandre Pantoja vs Matt Schnell

The current flyweight champion gave fans one of the most devastating knockouts in the flyweight division back in 2019. At UFC Fight Night 165, Pantoja took on Schnell who was on a four fight winning streak. The two fighters had their foot on the gas from the get-go and were quite visibly looking for a knockout.

Even though Schnell managed to catch Pantoja a couple of times, the latter powered through them and inflicted major damage from his side. Pantoja ultimately caught his opponent and ended the fight with a vicious KO in the very first round.

2 Demetrious Johnson vs Joseph Benavidez 2

The two fighters took on each other back in 2013 in a highly anticipated rematch. After previously squaring off at UFC 152 when Demetrious Johnson prevailed on top, it was the same case this time around. In the very first round the two went back and forth for a short time before, Johnson landed a hard shot that put Benavidez flat on his back. A flurry of follow-up punches led to a stoppage.

The knockout certainly deserves a place in our rankings considering Johnson is widely considered to be one of the best fighters to have ever entered the cage.

1 Deiveson Figueiredo vs Joseph Benavidez 1

Deiveson Figueiredo put a thorough beating on Joseph Benavidez in their first encounter back in 2020. It was Figueiredo who secured a second-round stoppage of Joseph Benavidez. While it was a crushing blow for the popular Benavidez, who would have been eligible to take the title vacated by Henry Cejudo had he won, the knockout was certainly one to remember for the ages.

That said, this concludes our list of the top 5 knockouts in the UFC from the flyweight division. Take a look at the video below to watch all the knockouts listed above: