With 2024 now behind us, the mixed martial arts (MMA) community has paused to reflect on a year filled with explosive fights and unforgettable moments. Among these, knockout finishes stand out as the hallmark of the sport, captivating fans and instilling awe in competitors. The team at MMA Junkie has compiled a shortlist of the most remarkable knockouts from January to December, culminating in the coveted Knockout of the Year award.
A Year of Memorable Fight Finishes
Each year, the realm of MMA brims with anticipation as fighters enter the Octagon, each seeking to showcase their skills and potentially deliver that jaw-dropping moment that fans will reminisce about for years. In 2024, several fighters made their mark through crushing knockouts that not only shifted the tides of their respective matches but also left an indelible mark on the UFC legacy.
The thrilling action began early in the year when Vinicius Oliveira made an unforgettable debut at UFC Fight Night 238 against Bernardo Sopaj. Displaying a blend of agility and technique, Oliveira executed a picture-perfect flying knee that knocked Sopaj out cold, announcing his arrival on the big stage with authority. This spectacular finish not only garnered him a Performance of the Night bonus but also ensured his name would be etched in the memory of UFC fans.
Highlight Reels and Honorable Mentions
As the year progressed, an exciting bout took place at the UFC Paris event, where Fares Ziam collected his first finish, demolishing Matt Frevola with a knee strike that resonated throughout the venue. Ziam, maintaining dominance throughout the fight, cleverly utilized a mix of striking and grappling before landing the decisive blow. Frevola was left to seek assistance post-fight, highlighting the sheer power and brutality of Ziam’s knockout.
Ming Shi also captured headlines in November with her phenomenal head-kick knockout at UFC Macau, a victory that crowned her as the champion of the “Road to UFC” tournament. Her reprimanding kick rendered Xiaocan Feng unconscious, capturing not just a victory but a moment that showcased the potential for spectacle in women’s MMA. The sportsmanship displayed by Shi post-fight, as she expressed concern for her opponent’s safety, further added layers to the narrative of the bout.
The highlight of the year undoubtedly came during the highly-anticipated matchup between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, where Holloway claimed the BMF title in a fight that will be lodged in the annals of MMA history. As the final seconds of the fifth round dwindled, Holloway unleashed a devastating overhand right that sent Gaethje crashing to the canvas just before the bell—a finish that encapsulated the essence of high-stakes MMA.
Holloway’s approach throughout the fight was an elegant display of strategy and skill. After a calculated first round that saw him landing significant strikes while deftly dodging Gaethje’s relentless pressure, Holloway began to find his rhythm. Even when Gaethje landed a rare knockdown in Round 4, Holloway’s resilience shone through, allowing him to regain control and dictate the pace of the fight in the final round. His explosive finish solidified his reputation and earned him the unanimous Knockout of the Year award from MMA Junkie.
While MMA Junkie’s staff voted Holloway as the standout performer for the year, the diverse MMA community thrives on differing perspectives. The nature of mixed martial arts is that there are always heated discussions and a variety of opinions on what constitutes the “best” of the year. Therefore, MMA Junkie invites fight fans to engage in the dialogue by voting for their own favorite knockout of 2024. This participatory aspect of the sport encourages an ongoing conversation about the varied styles and remarkable moments that define MMA.
As we venture into a new year of competition and rivalry, the knockouts of 2024 serve as a reminder of the unpredictable excitement that MMA brings to fans worldwide. Each powerful strike and stunning finish contributes to the rich tapestry of the sport, inviting new talents to emerge while honoring the legends who paved the way. Here’s to the promise of even more breathtaking knockouts in the year ahead, as fighters continue to aim for greatness and immortalize their names in the heart of the Octagon.