5 UFC weight classes with the highest knockdown rates

#2 UFC middleweight division - 1.41%

UFC 263: Adesanya v Vettori 2

Surprisingly, the UFC middleweight division has a higher knockdown rate - albeit only slightly at 1.41% - than the light heavyweight division. This is perhaps down to the sheer quality of fighters who have competed at middleweight in the UFC, especially over the last few years.

Champion Israel Adesanya is probably the best striker in the sport right now, and he is closely followed by an army of talented fighters - Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier, Marvin Vettori and Darren Till, among others. Even slightly younger fighters like Sean Strickland, Edmen Shahbazyan and Kevin Holland are exceptionally talented on the feet.

Head kick from Gastelum rocks Adesanya! WHAT. A. ROUND. #UFC236 pic.twitter.com/qeR89cBcHd

— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2019

A division that had Anderson Silva at its pinnacle for years on end is bound to be high up on a stat involving knockdowns.

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#1 UFC heavyweight division - 1.56%

UFC 260: Miocic v Ngannou 2

To no one's surprise, the UFC heavyweight division has the highest knockdown rate in the promotion - a whopping 1.56%. Host to the biggest punchers in MMA right now, the heavyweight division never fails to deliver exciting fights.

Some of the most fearsome fighters in MMA history, like champion Francis Ngannou and interim title challenger Derrick Lewis, have the touch of death in their fists. Others like Stipe Miocic and Ciryl Gane are technically extremely sound, while durable fighters like Tai Tuivasa and Blagoy Ivanov are working their way up the rankings.

Impressive performance from Gane !He's now a legit contender.See you soon boy. When you know you know. #ufc265

— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) August 8, 2021

Apart from a few wrestlers like Curtis Blaydes, almost everyone at heavyweight is capable of striking at a high level. That doesn't come as a surprise in a division that has had decorated champions like Junior dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski, Cain Velasquez and Randy Couture.