Top UFC Fighters with Most Knockouts: Ranked and Analyzed

Everybody loves to see knockouts in combat sports, and it's no different in mixed martial arts. The great thing about knockouts is that you don't necessarily need to be the biggest or most naturally powerful fighter. Having great technique can help generate knockouts just as much as being physically strong can.

Before we get into the ranking and analysis of the fighters though, we will first explain why knockouts are highly significant for an MMA fighter's career.

1. Derrick Lewis

With 15 knockouts on his resumé, Derrick Lewis holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history. When “The Black Beast” steps into the octagon, everybody holds their breath in anticipation for a big knockout from him, just like his highlight reel KO's against top contenders like Curtis Blaydes and Alexander Volkov. With the kind of power he possesses in both hands, Lewis can never be counted out of a fight.

2. Matt Brown

Matt Brown has 13 knockouts to his name, and almost all of them are absolutely brutal. “The Immortal” carries power in both hands, his vicious elbows have also produced some viral moments in his career. His relentless aggression and natural killer instincts have made him a must-watch in the UFC's welterweight division. Some of his best KO's came against the legendary Diego Sanchez and Erick Silva.

3. Anderson Silva 

Anderson “The Spider” Silva has 11 knockouts throughout his illustrious UFC career, and some of his best ones came against MMA icons: Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort. The Brazilian's creativity and insane striking technique helped him finish fights in style, which further highlights his epic reign as UFC middleweight champion.

4. Anthony Johnson 

The late great Anthony “Rumble” Johnson had 11 knockout wins in the UFC and one of his most notable ones came against Alexander Gustafsson when he flattened him in the very first round. Despite challenging for the light-heavyweight title multiple times, he never won the 205-pound belt.

5. Dustin Poirier 

Dustin Poirier is loved by the MMA community because of his character and his fighting style, which has generated several epic moments throughout his career. “The Diamond” has 11 wins by knockout in the UFC and none more notable than when he wiped out Conor McGregor at UFC 257. Poirier has been a top lightweight contender for years but he is yet to win gold.

6. Max Holloway 

Max “Blessed” Holloway has been regarded as one of the best boxers in MMA because of his volume striking and his technique. Throughout his UFC career, Holloway has 11 KO wins, and his most recent one is perhaps one of the best knockouts in UFC history, when he switched Justin Gaethje's lights off in the final ten seconds of the fight at UFC 300.

7. Thiago Santos 

Thiago Santos is one of the most powerful fighters to grace the UFC octagon, competing at middleweight and light-heavyweight. The Brazilian had 11 wins by knockout during his time in the promotion, beating the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Anthony Smith and Jack Hermansson with a mixture of brutal punches and kicks. “Marreta” is tied with Anderson Silva and Uriah Hall for the most knockouts in UFC middleweight history.

8. Michael Bisping 

Michael “The Count” Bisping had 10 knockouts in his UFC career and his best finish came at UFC 199 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold to become the UFC middleweight champion, becoming the first fighter from Britain to win a UFC title.