Unforgettable KOs That Ruled UFC in November
After Dark Knockouts: Quintin van Jaarsveld Chooses UFC's Top 5 Stunners of November
Heavyweights brought the heat in November, but it was more than just brute force that made these moments shine, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld as he spotlights the top five UFC knockouts of the month.
In a testament to explosive power, exceptional timing, and raw emotion, champion Jon Jones, contenders, and prospects alike showcased their skills in a string of memorable encounters.
Here are the month's jaw-dropping finishes:
Worthy Mentions:
Local Hero Stuns
New York's Ramiz Brahimaj capitalized on his hometown advantage at UFC 309, landing a stunning right hook to knock out Mickey Gall in round two at Madison Square Garden. Gall made headlines years ago for defeating WWE star CM Punk.
No-Holds-Barred Execution
At UFC Vegas 100, newcomer Carlos Prates grabbed the limelight by face-planting Neil Magny with a devastating left hook in the opening round, added to his climb to the welterweight top 15 and landing his fourth UFC win by knockout in 2024.
The Mountain Tiger's Spring
Zhang "The Mountain Tiger" Mingyang wasted no time against Octagon newcomer Ozzy Diaz at UFC Macau, delivering a step-in elbow that dropped him and finishing the fight on the ground in the main card opener.
One-Two Punch
UFC Edmonton saw Dustin Stoltzfus and Marc-Andre Barriault trade blows in a thrilling battle, with Stoltzfus emerging the winner after finishing Barriault with a sharp left hook and dazed Canadian crowd watching on.
5: A Night of Nightmares
Oban Elliott delivered a vicious overhand right that connected with Bassil Hafez during the UFC 309 prelims, rendering Hafez unconscious and paving the way for Elliott's third career knockout victory.
4: Signing on the Dotted Line
DongHun Choi solidified his spot in the UFC roster by scoring an impressive first-round knockout of Kiru Sahota in the Road to UFC flyweight final at UFC Macau, Digital Ambition.
3: Carnival of Crane-like Kicks
Muslim Salikhov displayed his "King of Kung Fu" abilities with a stunning spinning wheel kick against Song Kenan at UFC Macau, marking his eighth career knockout victory.
2: The One-Man Show
Jon Jones showcased total dominance as he defeated Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, successfully retaining his heavyweight title. Jones closed the show in style, connecting with a textbook spinning back kick to Miocic's body in the final round, leaving the champion crumpled on the mat.
1: The Unforgettable Strikes
Shi Ming secured the Road to UFC strawweight tournament victory with an unforgettable third-round head kick knockout of Feng Xiaocan at UFC Macau, Eye of the Tiger. Feng was left unconscious for several minutes, eventually being stretchered out of the Octagon.
Contributor's Note:
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. A seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience under his belt, Quintin currently offers his services as a freelance sports writer.
Rugby Fan's Unexpected Shift
With an intriguing twist, rugby enthusiast Quintin van Jaarsveld swapped the rugby pitch for the UFC Octagon, penning a piece highlighting the top five rugby knockouts of November.
A Tribute to Sport's Thrill
Just as the UFC saw heavyweights showcasing power, timing, and emotion in their knockouts, the rugby world could also revel in the exhilaration of such breathtaking moments, as Van Jaarsveld's rugby picks echoed the sentiments of UFC's top finishes.
