MMA
Top UFC Fighters with Most Knockouts: Ranked and Analyzed
In this article, we will rank the top UFC fighters with the most knockouts. We will rank and analyse these by taking into account significant knockout wins and fighter impact.
Derrick Lewis//Getty Images
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.
Why Are Knockouts Significant in MMA?
Firstly, knockouts are hugely significant to a fighter's career in various ways. If you're the fighter that lands a brutal finish then your stock will rise in the UFC, and both the company and the fans will rate you more. This could lead to you getting bigger and better fights, which will increase the money you earn.
On the flip side, if you're the fighter that suffers a bad knockout, your reputation may go down, and your worth in the company could significantly decrease. There is also potential for you to become gun shy as you become more worried about what's coming back at you.
If you can consistently finish fights then you have the potential to be a fan-favourite and a global superstar, similar to the likes of Derrick Lewis and Anderson Silva.
Below, we will rank and analyse the top UFC fighters with the most knockouts in the promotion's history.
Methodology
Here is our methodology for our rankings…
Data Collection
We used data from authoritative sources like Wikipedia, TheSportster, and Statleaders to gather knockout records of fighters.
Criteria for Ranking
Knockout Consistency: Evaluating a fighter's ability to achieve knockouts across multiple fights and opponents.
Significant Knockout Wins: Assessing knockouts in major UFC events or title fights that had a significant impact on their career.
Fighter Impact: Considering the overall legacy and influence of each fighter in the sport of MMA.
SportsBoom MetaScale: The rankings were refined using the SportsBoom MetaScale, which accounts for knockout consistency, efficiency, and overall fighter impact.
The Fighters: Ranked by Knockout Records
Derrick Lewis
The Critical Consensus table brings together the knockout data and performance insights from multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, TheSportster, and Statleaders. This aggregation ensures a well-rounded view of each fighter's knockout abilities, consistency, and overall contribution to the sport.
| Rank | Fighter | Knockouts | Knockout Consistency | Significant Knockouts | Fighter Impact |
| 1. | Derrick Lewis | 15 | 9 | 6 | Known for his power in the heavyweight division and most knockouts in HW history. |
| 2. | Matt Brown | 13 | 8 | 5 | Known for his heart and ability to finish fights with brutal knockouts in the welterweight division. |
| 3. | Anderson Silva | 11 | 8 | 7 | Silva’s knockout wins over high-level fighters like Franklin and Belfort solidified his dominance in middleweight. |
| 4. | Anthony Johnson | 11 | 7 | 6 | Known for his explosive power, Johnson's KO of Gustafsson and others solidified his legacy. |
| 5. | Dustin Poirier | 11 | 8 | 6 | A fighter who has mixed striking and knockout efficiency, with key knockouts in his lightweight run. |
| 6. | Max Holloway | 11 | 7 | 5 | While known for his pace and volume, Holloway's precision in knockout finishes shows his all-around ability in the division. |
| 7. | Thiago Santos | 11 | 6 | 5 | Powerful striker in the light-heavyweight division, known for KO finishes against top-ranked fighters. |
| 8. | Michael Bisping | 10 | 7 | 4 | Bisping’s durability and significant knockout wins against fighters like Rockhold helped cement his legacy. |
Key Metrics Explained
Knockout Consistency: Consistency in achieving knockouts across multiple fights and varied opponents.
Significant Knockouts: Knockouts that occurred in important UFC events, title defences, or against top-tier opponents.
Fighter Impact: The overall contribution a fighter has made to MMA, their influence on the sport’s development, and their legacy in UFC history.
SportsBoom MetaScale: Refining the Rankings of Most Knockouts in UFC History?
The SportsBoom MetaScale enhances the rankings by considering three key factors: Knockout Consistency, Significant Knockouts, and Fighter Impact. Each factor is weighted to give a comprehensive view of a fighter's ability to perform, their legacy, and the importance of their knockout victories.
| Rank | Fighter | Knockout Consistency (30%) | Significant Knockouts (40%) | Fighter Impact (30%) | MetaScale Score |
| 1. | Derrick Lewis | 28 | 32 | 29 | 89 |
| 2. | Matt Brown | 26 | 30 | 28 | 84 |
| 3. | Anderson Silva | 25 | 35 | 30 | 90 |
| 4. | Anthony Johnson | 24 | 30 | 28 | 82 |
| 5. | Dustin Poirier | 27 | 31 | 29 | 87 |
| 6. | Max Holloway | 25 | 28 | 27 | 80 |
| 7. | Thiago Santos | 22 | 30 | 25 | 77 |
| 8. | Michael Bisping | 23 | 22 | 25 | 70 |
Key Metrics Explained
Knockout Consistency: Consistency in achieving knockouts across multiple fights and varied opponents.
Significant Knockouts: Knockouts that occurred in important UFC events, title defenses, or against top-tier opponents.
Fighter Impact: The overall contribution a fighter has made to MMA, their influence on the sport’s development, and their legacy in UFC history.
Here is a brief breakdown of the fighters most notable knockouts and their legacy within the sport of MMA.
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.
SportsBoom Suggests
Derrick Lewis leads the rankings as the top knockout artist in UFC history, with his incredible power and most knockouts in the heavyweight division.
Matt Brown ranks highly due to his consistency in finishing fights in the welterweight division, while Anderson Silva, with his strategic knockout approach, claims the third spot.
Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier are key names, with both fighters demonstrating knockout efficiency in their respective divisions.
This analysis considers both fighting style and legacy, ensuring that fighters who have demonstrated consistent knockout ability over time and those with significant career-defining finishes receive appropriate recognition.
From Derrick Lewis’ thunderous power in the heavyweight division to Anderson Silva’s precision striking that redefined the sport, each fighter on this list has showcased tremendous knockout success. This ranking highlights not only their knockout record, but also their impact on the UFC community because of their reputation for finishing fights in brutal fashion.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp