Thrilling Knockouts and Submissions Highlight UFC 2023 Tournament
The 2023 UFC Season: A Year of Epic Knockouts and Submissions
The thrilling conclusion of the 2023 UFC season was a spectacle to behold, with a plethora of remarkable knockouts and submissions gracing the Octagon. Here's a rundown of the top finishes from the year.
- In a rematch for the ages, Islam Makhachev scored a knockout of Alex Volkanovski at UFC 294. A testament to Makhachev's prowess, this bout cemented his position in the lightweight division.
- Israel Adesanya knocked out Alex Pereira in their middleweight rematch at UFC 297. Adesanya's victory marked another triumph in his impressive fighting career.
- Sean O'Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling, the bantamweight champ, in a title fight at UFC 292. O'Malley's stunning victory sent shockwaves through the MMA community.
- Women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko suffered an upset as Alex Grasso scored a submission win in their title fight at UFC 295.
- In a heavyweight title fight at UFC 295, Jon Jones choked out Cyril Gane in the first round. This victory marked another feather in Jones' already stacked cap.
- Shavkat Rakhmonov claimed a triumph in his welterweight bout against Jeff Neal at UFC 295 with a submission win.
- Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier in their lightweight rematch at UFC 291, proving once again his dominance in the division.
- Ismail Bonfim scored a knockout against Terrance McKinney in a lightweight bout at UFC 293.
- Max Holloway took out "The Korean Zombie" in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Singapore, showcasing his rejuvenated form.
- Edson Barboza stunned Billy Quarantillo with a head kick knockout at UFC on ESPN 44 in Kansas City.
- Lastly, Benoit Saint-Denis knocked out Matt Frevola in a lightweight bout at UFC, ending the contest in impressive fashion.
The 2024 UFC season will commence with UFC Fight Night 234 in Las Vegas, headlined by a rematch between top light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Ankalaev, ranked No.3, and Walker, No.7, failed to declare a winner in their first encounter due to an accidental illegal knee from Ankalaev. Fans are eagerly anticipating this highly-awaited rematch.
In the background, the MMA world witnessed other memorable moments in 2023. Alexander Volkanovski dominated Diego Lopes in a featherweight bout at UFC 314, further solidifying his standing in the division. Jean Silva secured a notable victory over Bryce Mitchell at the same event, contributing to his reputation in the lightweight division. The year was also marked by a collection of incredible knockouts and submissions that spurred excitement among fans and emphasized the unpredictability of UFC fights. UFC 314 stood out due to its unique moments, featuring fights involving brothers and champions, contributing to the emotional and competitive atmosphere of the event.
- In another memorable clash, Shavkat Rakhmonov, a rising star in the welterweight division, successfully submitted Jeff Neal at UFC 295, adding another significant victory to his record.
- Adesanya's win over Pereira at UFC 297 was not the only highlight for the middleweight champion. Looking ahead, fans are excited about the UFC 298 bout between Adesanya and the No.1-ranked contender, Jared Cannonier, promising more thrilling moments in the division.
- The highly anticipated rematch between Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier at UFC 298, originally scheduled for UFC 291, is a must-watch, given their epic fights in the lightweight division.
- Beyond the UFC, mixed-martial-arts sports saw other notable events. UFC 314, the night when Jon Jones solidified his dominance in the heavyweight division with a victory over Cyril Gane, also witnessed incredible knockouts and submissions that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
