5 most memorable knockouts by female UFC fighters

C. Naik
Ronda Rousey (left) and Holly Holm (right) [Image via @espnmma on Twitter]
Ronda Rousey (left) and Holly Holm (right) [Image via @espnmma on Twitter]

#2. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye - UFC 238

Valentina Shevchenko won the vacant UFC women's flyweight title in 2018. In her first title defense, she took on Jessica Eye. The 125-pound duo locked horns in the co-main event of UFC 238 in 2019.

Shevchenko repeatedly kicked Eye's body throughout the opening round and the damage to her midsection was clearly mounting. In the second round, 'Bullet' landed a few more body kicks before throwing a perfectly placed head kick.

With 'Evil' anticipating another blow to her body, she dropped her hands, which was the last voluntary action she took in the fight.

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Valentina Shevchenko's win over Jessica Eye set the tone for her championship reign. She went on to defend her belt against Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade and Lauren Murphy. Shevchenko will return to the octagon in June 2022 in Singapore, where she is slated to take on Taila Santos.

Her stunning head-kick KO victory over Eye remains the most memorable win of her reign so far.


#1. Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm - UFC 193

Ronda Rousey is a pioneer in women's MMA. She singlehandedly spearheaded the movement to allow women into the biggest promotion in the world and did so in devastating fashion.

Rousey won and defended the Strikeforce bantamweight title before the UFC's absorption of Strikeforce's roster. She was directly awarded the 135-pound title upon joining the promotion and went on to successfully defend her place on the throne six times, finishing all of her opponents along the way.

By this point, Rousey had become a household name and a global megastar. Going into her seventh title defense, which went down in Melbourne, Australia, 'Rowdy' seemingly had the world eating out of the palm of her hand.

She took on rising contender Holly Holm in the main event of UFC 193, looking to further extend her perfect professional record and championship reign.

Holly Holm was a massive betting underdog going into the fight. Many expected Ronda Rousey to take her down and easily find a finish. In one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, Holm put on an absolute striking masterclass, finishing Rousey in the second round.

Rousey had no answer for Holm's speed, movement and diverse arsenal of weapons. At times, it felt like we were watching a bull and a matador. 'The Preacher's Daughter' showed that her striking was multiple levels above her counterpart's.

A minute into the second round, 'Rowdy' got caught with a powerful head kick that effectively ended the fight.

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Edited by Harvey Leonard
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