The first half of 2025 has delivered some of the most spectacular knockouts in recent combat sports history. Whether inside the UFC’s Octagon, Bellator’s cage, or a classic boxing ring, fans have witnessed lightning-fast finishes, dramatic upsets, and picture-perfect punches that will be replayed for years.
From veteran legends proving they’ve still got it to rising stars making viral highlights, these knockouts have electrified audiences and reshaped title pictures across multiple divisions.
UFC: Explosive Finishes and Title Implications
The UFC continues to dominate the global MMA scene, and 2025 has already produced several unforgettable knockouts. From pay-per-view headliners to prelim sleepers, here are the most talked-about finishes in the Octagon so far:
Top UFC Knockouts of 2025 (so far):
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Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes 2 (UFC 302) – Pavlovich avenged his previous loss with a brutal right uppercut just 57 seconds into Round 1.
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Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen (UFC 301) – In a bantamweight title bout, O’Malley landed a spinning back kick to the liver followed by a head shot that dropped Sandhagen instantly.
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Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez (UFC 297) – Weili retained her title with a crisp counter left that floored Suarez in Round 2.
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Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway (UFC 300) – A passing-of-the-torch moment as Topuria stopped Holloway with a clean right cross in Round 3.
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Benoît Saint-Denis vs. Jalin Turner (Fight Night: Paris) – Saint-Denis delivered a crushing high kick in front of his home crowd, earning a “Knockout of the Night” bonus.
These moments weren’t just highlight-reel material—they also shook up divisional rankings and set up new rivalries that fans are eager to see unfold in the second half of the year.
Bellator: Underrated Power and Rising Names
While Bellator continues to operate in a slightly smaller spotlight than the UFC, it still produces elite talent and fight-ending drama. In fact, some of 2025’s most technically impressive knockouts have come from Bellator events, where rising prospects and veterans clash with little margin for error.
Bellator’s Most Memorable Knockouts of 2025:
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Aaron Pico vs. Pedro Carvalho (Bellator 311) – Pico showed off his trademark power with a left hook that dropped Carvalho instantly in Round 1.
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Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Patricky Pitbull (Bellator 313) – A perfectly timed knee to the chin ended Pitbull’s run and reasserted Nurmagomedov as the top lightweight.
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Cris Cyborg vs. Leah McCourt (Bellator 310) – Cyborg silenced any doubters with a right cross KO in under 90 seconds.
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James Gallagher vs. Patchy Mix (Bellator 312) – Gallagher stunned fans with a head kick KO as an underdog, proving he’s still a factor in the division.
Bellator’s focus on development and highlight-driven matchups has given fans plenty to cheer for—and expect even more fireworks during their summer fight schedule.
Boxing: Old-School Violence, Modern Precision
In the boxing world, the storylines of 2025 have been centered around both dominant champions and unexpected underdogs. While big names like Gervonta Davis and Naoya Inoue continue to headline global events, several new contenders have stepped into the spotlight with jaw-dropping knockout power.
Among the most talked-about knockouts:
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Gervonta Davis vs. Teofimo Lopez – A super-fight that ended with a blistering left hook from Davis in Round 5, sending Lopez crashing down.
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Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery – Inoue proved again why he’s the most feared puncher in the lower weight classes with a one-punch body shot KO in Round 4.
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Richardson Hitchins vs. Sandor Martin – Hitchins announced his arrival as a serious contender with a sneaky uppercut KO in Round 6.
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Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 – Though not a KO, the 10th-round standing TKO (referee stoppage) due to overwhelming volume was a defining moment in women’s boxing.
These finishes not only thrilled fans but also reshaped division rankings, leading to high-stakes rematches and negotiations already underway.
Whether it’s the lightning-fast finishes of the UFC, the rising stars of Bellator, or the raw power of boxing’s finest, 2025 has already been a blockbuster year for knockouts. As the year continues, fight fans can expect more highlight-reel chaos, championship implications, and unforgettable moments.
If the first half of 2025 is any indication, the knockouts still to come may be even more spectacular.
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