In the world of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), bouts are nothing but a blink in time, where the deciding moment may fall at the very tail end. Late knockouts manifest the sheer resilience and unwavering grit of a warrior, turning the tide of fate to unanticipated victory. This article embarks on a journey through the annals of the UFC, recounting some of the most unforgettable late knockouts.
We set our scene on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229, where the ring was graced by two resilient heavyweights, Derrick Lewis, and Alexander Volkov. Volkov, with his robust fight strategy, appeared to be dominating the bout, until the final minute of the third round stepped in.
In that decisive moment, Lewis, renowned for his knockout strength, unleashed a bone-crushing right hand that sent Volkov down for the count. He swiftly followed with relentless ground strikes, finally clenching a knockout victory from the jaws of what had seemed like an imminent defeat.
Another unforgettable late stoppage came from Paul Craig, who managed to submit his adversary, Magomed Ankalaev, with a blindingly fast triangle choke nearing the conclusion of the third round. Ankalaev had proven formidable-partner, controlling the majority of the fight, yet Craig’s perseverance manifested in winning the fight at the last possible moment.
Creating history, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson broke records by securing the latest submission in UFC history. His opponent, Kyoji Horiguchi, bore witness to Johnson’s fierce tenacity in the final moment of the fifth round. Even though Johnson remained in control throughout, he continued his offensive, locking in an armbar in the very last second.
The welterweight division witnessed a standout performance from Leon Edwards against Peter Sobotta. Though Edwards enjoyed control over much of the fight, his thirst for decisive victory led to a TKO stoppage milliseconds away from the final bell. This secured Edwards a solid win, accentuating his rising status within the division.
Raphael Assunção felt the heavy strike of former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt’s formidable knockout power. With only seconds left in the second round, Garbrandt slipped through his defense, landing an explosive right hook that rendered Assunção unconscious.
BJ Penn successfully fended off Sean Sherk to retain his UFC lightweight championship. In a thrilling finish, he unleashed a monumental flying knee followed by a flurry of punches, resulting in a technical knockout. This move added to the highlight reel and testified to Penn’s mastery.
Shonie Carter spins his way into UFC history with one of the most unexpected knockouts against Matt Serra. Serra, despite governing the protraction of the fight, was taken aback by Carter’s last-gasp spinning backfist. This one strike dramatically upset the fight’s expected outcome.
One of the most mercurial matchups was between Yair Rodríguez and Chan Sung Jung, colloquially known as ‘The Korean Zombie’. This was a fight marked by an ebb and flow, but, despite Jung’s apparent ascendency, Rodríguez countered at the eleventh hour with a perfectly executed upwards elbow strike that instantly KO’d Jung.
This unexpected finish not only bestowed Rodríguez a triumphant victory but also immortalized his name in UFC’s chronicles for pulling off one of the most unanticipated knockouts. His exceptional performance is a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of MMA competition.
At UFC 300, held on April 13, 2024, Max Holloway locked horns with Justin Gaethje fighting for the symbolic BMF title. The bout was a kinetic ballet of strength and strategy with both combatants showcasing grit and tactical acumen. As the fight was about to conclude, Holloway changed the game with a single, decimating punch.
At the 4:59 mark of the final round, with only a heartbeat to spare, Holloway landed a punch that sealed a knockout victory. The win, spectacular in its own right, wrote another chapter in Holloway’s storied career — he now had the BMF title to his name, reinforcing his place as one of UFC’s most electrifying fighters.
This last moment knockout stands not only as a personal victory for Holloway but as a dash of vibrancy in the ever-evolving narrative of MMA history. These lateafight finishes underscore the thrilling unpredictability of the sport, shining a spotlight on fighting spirit and tactical agility.