2019 is almost coming to an end and what a year it has been for the UFC. The UFC has made great strides for an exciting 2020. There have been many great moments in the UFC this year, but nothing gets fans more hyped than a knockout finish out of nowhere. There have been some brutal knockouts in the history of the UFC, and 2019 did not disappoint. It seems like each year, the knockouts get more and more creative. From a flying knee to slamming someone on the mat, fighters are finding more ways to end the fight spectacularly. Let’s look at some of the UFC brutal finishes in 2019.
5. Anthony Pettis vs. Stephen Thompson
Two big names in the Welterweight division went toe-to-toe on March 23, 2019, in Nashville, TN, at UFC Fight Night 148. Pettis had just come off a knockout loss to Tony Ferguson only five months before. Thompson came off a loss to Darren Till. Both fighters were looking to gain some traction in the division. Both fighters good strikers, and it would come down to one opening to end the fight. That was the case in the second round Pettis found an opportunity and decided to take it.
4. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye
Shevchenko has turned it around since her loss to Amanda Nunes, winning the Women’s flyweight title. Her first title defense came against Jessica Eye on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238. Jessica Eye looked to end the Shevchenko title reign. Instead of a new champion, fans got a scary head kick that had the referee in shock. And left one fighter sleeping on the mat.
3. Rose Namajumas vs. Jessica Andrade
Rose Namajumas made a statement when she won the women’s strawweight title. She was not gonna back down from anyone. Her first title defense would come against Jessica Andrade on May 11, 2019, at UFC 237. The fight was a back, and forth exchange is the better fighter. The second round narrative was to try to take the match to the floor, and the result was a knockout via takedown. It is rare to see a knock out via takedown.
2. Niko Price vs. James Vick
These two fighters are in the welterweight division and are looking to climb the ranks and hopefully get a title shot at some point in their careers. Price and Vick went head to head on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 161. What looked to calm bout turned ugly with a devasting up kick that left Vick, facedown out cold on the mat.
1. Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren
Jorge Masvidal has gained an immense amount of popularity in 2019. If you know the name Jorge Masvidal, you know his five-second knockout against Askren on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239. There is not much to say other than one of the most devasting flying knees ever. So devasting that it left Askren with a concussion.