Striking Stars: The Most Devastating KOs of 2025

MMA fans love a good knockout. It's the highlight reel moment that gets the crowd going and reminds us why we love this sport. In 2025, there were plenty of knockouts to choose from, but some stood out more than others. First up is Mauricio Ruffy's spinning kick KO of King Green at UFC 313. This wasn't a ranked fight or a major upset, but it was one of the cleanest spinning kicks you'll ever see. Ruffy is known for his striking, and this KO was a perfect example of his skills. Green, a veteran fighter, was caught off guard and went down hard. This KO kept Ruffy in the spotlight, even though he had an up-and-down year. Next is Lerone Murphy's spinning elbow KO of Aaron Pico at UFC 319. Murphy had been on a winning streak, but this KO was the exclamation point he needed to secure a title shot. Pico, known for his aggressive style, was no match for Murphy's well-timed strike.Ilia Topuria's KO of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 is another standout. Oliveira is a former UFC champion and one of the greatest lightweights of all time. Topuria's punch was perfect, and it solidified his place as a top contender. Sergio Pettis' back elbow KO of Magomed Magomedov at PFL Champions Series 2 was unexpected. Pettis is known for his striking, but this KO was particularly brutal. Magomedov had never been knocked out before, making this KO even more impressive. Lastly, Quillan Salkilld's high kick KO of Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321 was devastating. Haqparast was on a winning streak, making this KO even more surprising. Salkilld announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. These KOs are a reminder of the power and unpredictability of MMA. They're the moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats and remind us why we love this sport.