Before the Kingdom Arena hosts the Octagon for the first time, we present to you 10 of the best knockouts and submissions from the fighters that will compete this Saturday at UFC Saudi Arabia including headliners Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov.
10. Daniel Rodriguez vs. Tim Means – UFC Fight Night 167
For his debut in the Octagon, UFC Saudi Arabia main card fighter Daniel Rodriguez faced grizzled veteran Tim Means. “D-Rod” finished the first round strong by dropping Means with a two-punch combination as the bell rang. “The Dirty Bird” barely made it to his stool.
Rodriguez picked up where he left in the second, landing multiple combinations and repeatedly hurting Means. When Means attempted a takedown to change the course of the fight, the Californian found a guillotine choke to end it.
Related: UFC Saudi Arabia card, betting odds, start time, and TV info
9. Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Kevin Lee – UFC Vegas 76
When former interim title challenger Kevin Lee made his return to the UFC after nearly two years away from the Octagon, the promotion did him no favors by putting him against Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76. The Russian would earn his highest profile win to date that afternoon at the Apex Center.
Within the first minute of the fight, Fakhretdinov backed Lee up with a hard jab. Seconds later, he followed up with a hard one-two combination that dropped the “Motown Phenom.” Fakhretdinov quickly jumped on a guillotine choke. Lee went limp before he could tap.
Also Read: 10 UFC Fighters Who Made Legendary Comebacks, Including Jorge Masvidal and Brock Lesnar
8. Sergei Pavlovich vs. Derrick Lewis – UFC 277
Derrick Lewis became one of the UFC’s biggest stars by biting down on his mouthguard and swinging leather. At UFC 277, former Fight Nights Global heavyweight champion Sergei Pavlovich decided to meet fire with fire.
Just 40 seconds after the opening bell, the two met for a powerful fistic exchange. The Russian got the best of the sudden burst of activity landing multiple clean punches on Lewis’ chin before the “Black Beast” hit the canvas. The hammer fists that followed prompted Dan Miragliotta to save him from further punishment.
Follow us on MSN to see more exclusive content
7. Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves – UFC 294
After wowing fans with quick stoppages on the Contender Series and his subsequent UFC debut, Ikram Aliskerov was given the chance to fight former title challenger Paulo Costa. Although Cosa ultimately withdrew due to injury, Aliskerov still put on a show after being rebooked against Warlley Alves at UFC 294.
The late notice UFC Saudi Arabia main eventer did not spend much time feeling out his opponent. Just about two minutes into the opening round, the Dagestani dropped Alves with a jab. As he stood up against the fence, Aliskerov fired a head kick and flying switch knee before unloading a combination that forced the ref to call it.
Also Read: Terence Crawford Next Fight: 3 Opponent Options for ‘Bud,’ Including Canelo Alvarez
6. Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen – UFC 295
When things got underway for the lightweight fight between Jared Gordon and Mark Madsen, the gameplan from the Danish wrestler seemed simple: use clinch grappling and the threat of the threat of the takedown to slow things down and tire out “Flash.” That plan looked like it was working until it suddenly didn’t.
Late in the first round, Gordon turned things in his favor with some dirty boxing. An elbow followed by a right hook dropped Madsen and opened the door for Gordon to swarm him with ground strikes. The TKO stoppage for the New Yorker gave fans in Madison Square Garden an early highlight to the evening.
Also Read: Canelo Alvarez next fight – When will the Mexican superstar return to action?
5. Alexander Volkov vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – UFC Vegas 56
Former Bellator and M-1 Global champion Alexander Volkov has defeated an impressive list of heavyweight standouts including Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, and Roy Nelson. But one of his own viscerally impressive finishes came at the expense of Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Vegas 56.
Before the midpoint of the first round, Rozenstruik attempted to press the action after catching a kick from “Drago.” Volkov responded by closing the distance as his opponent backed to the fence. He suddenly uncorked a right cross that stunned “Bigi Boy” and followed up with a wild combination before Herb Dean stopped the fight.
Also Read: Ringside Intel’s Latest Boxing Pound for Pound Rankings, Including Gervonta Davis and Tyson Fury
4. Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jimi Manuwa – UFC 214
Before Jon Jones would have the chance to reclaim the light heavyweight title from Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, the main card showcase between Volkan Oezdemir and Jimi Manuwa would serve as a title eliminator for whoever walked away with the divisional crown. “No Time” took his nickname literally and did his best to cut the line.
Before the first minute passed, Oezdemir employed some dirty boxing from the clinch that opened up more offense. Before Manuwa could regain his composure, he was swarmed with punches and pushed to the canvas. The ground strikes that followed left him unconscious.
Also Read: Oleksandr Usyk Next Fight: The Undisputed King Set for December Reunion with ‘The Gypsy King’
3. Johnny Walker vs. Misha Cirkunov – UFC 235
After winning on the Contender Series and stunning fans with fast finishes of Khalil Rountree and Justin Ledet, Johnny Walker was looked to as a future title challenger with the right athletic tools to succeed in the upper echelon of the division. That talk grew even louder after his knockout win over Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235.
Just before 30 seconds had passed in the opening frame, Walker’s unorthodox movement confused a cautious Cirkunov. Walker timed a perfect flying knee that crashed into his opponent’s head sending him to the floor. Cirkunov could only cover up from the ground and pound until Herb Dean stopped the contest.
Also Read: Gervonta Davis next fight: 3 Opponent Options For ‘Tank,’ Including A Rematch With Ryan Garcia
2. Kelvin Gastelum vs. Tim Kennedy – UFC 206
After repeated failures to make the limit for welterweight, Kelvin Gastelum was forced back up to 185 pounds at UFC 206 against Tim Kennedy. The size differential did not help the former Strikeforce title challenger that night. While his win over Michael Bisping may have been his best win, the prolonged beating he gave Kennedy can’t be overlooked.
After the ex-soldier failed to overwhelm him with wrestling, Gastelum found his range and consistently landed hard punches. The TUF winner spent the majority of the fight having his way with Kennedy until his body gave out in what was his last appearance as a professional fighter.
Also Read: The 10 Best UFC Fights of All Time, Including Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz At UFC 202
1. Robert Whittaker vs. Ronaldo Souza – UFC on Fox 24
In case it wasn’t clear in his previous five consecutive wins since moving up to 185 pounds, Robert Whittaker was far removed from the inconsistency of his run at welterweight. His showing against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza put everyone who wasn’t already aware on notice.
In a brilliant display of the evasive defense, shot selection, and counter grappling that defined his championship run, “Bobby Knuckles” opened up in the second round to destructive results. The former Strikeforce champ endured a massive head kick and follow up strikes on the ground before the end was mercifully called.
