5 UFC fighters who scored a highlight reel knockout but failed to follow it up

#2. Ryan Jimmo – former UFC light-heavyweight contender

Ryan Jimmo earned a questionable reputation as a knockout artist thanks to his finish of Anthony Perosh

Despite being on a winning streak that dated back to 2007 and comprised 16 fights, many fans were stunned when the UFC signed Canadian light-heavyweight Ryan Jimmo to a contract in 2012. The reason for their surprise was a simple one – ‘The Big Deal’ had a reputation for dull fights.

Of those 16 wins, half had come via decision, and any fans who’d witnessed his victories over the likes of Wilson Gouveia and Emanuel Newton were hardly that thrilled.

Therefore, when it was time for his octagon debut against Anthony Perosh at UFC 149, nobody really seemed all that interested. That all changed in a blink. Somehow, Jimmo – the supposed point-fighter extraordinaire – landed a brutal right hand that knocked out ‘The Hippo’ in just seven seconds.

Given that the knockout was practically the only standout moment on the show, Jimmo came away looking like a million dollars, and suddenly, everyone was excited about what he might do next.

Unfortunately, while ‘The Big Deal’ did win two more fights in the octagon, it quickly became clear that his rapid knockout of Perosh was probably a fluke. He struggled for traction against the likes of Jimi Manuwa and James Te Huna, and while he did knock out Sean O’Connell, he lost his next two bouts that followed it.

Jimmo sadly passed away in 2016 after a hit-and-run incident, and while fans will always remember his wild debut knockout, it’s safe to say that he never quite lived up to the hype it created.

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#1. Holly Holm – former UFC bantamweight champion

Despite her famous KO of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm has won more fights by decision than stoppage

While Holly Holm – who faces Ketlen Vieira in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event – is probably one of the greatest female fighters to ever set foot inside the octagon, it’s also fair to say that she’s not the best finisher.

‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ has made a total of 12 appearances in the octagon, picking up seven wins in the process, but no fewer than five of them have come via decision.

However, if you rewind back to 2015, it would’ve been hard to imagine Holm being considered anything other than a knockout artist. That’s because in just her third fight in the UFC, she produced one of the promotion’s all-time great highlight reel finishes by knocking out Ronda Rousey with a head kick.

The win not only handed Holm the bantamweight title, but it also made her into a major superstar, as at the time, Rousey – who was unbeaten at 12-0 and had been taking out opponents in seconds – was seen as unbeatable.

Despite this, though, ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ failed to capitalize on the momentum triggered by her big knockout. She lost her title to Miesha Tate in her first defense, and then lost her next two fights, too.

And while she did knock out Bethe Correia in 2017, her career in the octagon since has largely been filled with unmemorable bouts, even if she’s won the majority. Essentially, Holm was never likely to live up to her knockout of Rousey, but at this point, it’s probably fair to put that finish down as a once-in-a-lifetime shot that was never going to be repeated.