5 most brutal knockouts in the UFC in 2021

#4. Kamaru Usman KOs Jorge Masvidal (at UFC 261)

2021 saw Kamaru Usman transition from being the UFC welterweight champion to also being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ racked up three title defenses this year and has finally started to get the respect he deserves from the MMA community.

Up until 2021, Usman was largely feared for his wrestling prowess and durability. Under the guidance of legendary striking coach Trevor Wittman, he has added yet another layer to his offensive arsenal. His TKO victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258 showcased his undeniable improvements in the realm of striking.

Two months later, Usman took on Jorge Masvidal in Jacksonville, Florida. The duo had locked horns once before at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi, where Usman came out on top via unanimous decision. The animosity between the two prompted Usman to call out Masvidal following his win over Burns. They squared off in the main event of UFC 261.

The consensus opinion was that Masvidal possessed the superior striking acumen, and that Usman would have to use his wrestling in order to win the fight. However, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ produced one of the most sensational knockouts of the year, landing a flush right cross straight onto the jaw of 'Gamebred' to defend his title.

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#3. Francis Ngannou KOs Stipe Miocic (at UFC 260)

Francis Ngannou’s knockout victory over Stipe Miocic represented so much more than the strike that caused the KO. The duo had locked horns three years prior, when Miocic was a dominant champion and Ngannou was a contender on the rise.

Ngannou finished all of his opponents in the UFC leading up to his first fight with Miocic and was the betting favorite going into the bout against the reigning champion. However, Miocic showed incredible heart and resilience to defeat Ngannou on the night, exposing the latter’s inferior wrestling and lack of cardio.

Ngannou went on another knockout spree between 2018 and 2020 to earn another shot at Miocic’s belt. The duo squared off in the main event of UFC 260 in Las Vegas.

This time around, Ngannou was much better prepared. He refrained from chasing a KO finish in the first round and opted to land heavy leg and body kicks instead. When Miocic shot in for a takedown, Ngannou completely shut it down and reversed the position on the dominant champion.

In the second round, Ngannou caught Miocic with a powerful left hook that saw the champion crumble to the canvas. A new UFC heavyweight champion was crowned, marking the dawn of a new era in the division.