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UFC fighters are trained to damage their opponents inside the octagon. Some need to land a single shot flush to shut the lights on their rivals.
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is one such example of a fighter packing dynamite in their fists. While this might not be the best strategy, as we recently saw with Derrick Lewis, these fighters are a threat until the final bell.
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While one-punch knockouts are usually associated with heavyweights, some lighter-weight fighters possess such explosive power as well. The UFC's lighter weight classes have produced several knockout artists over the years. Here are 5 of them:
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#5. Sean O'Malley (UFC bantamweight)
Sean O'Malley has become one of the fastest-rising superstars on the UFC roster. This is courtesy of his exciting style and persona. The fact that the lanky 26-year old can put you to sleep with a single shot only adds to the hype surrounding him.
After building a 9-2 record on the regional circuit over two years, Sean O'Malley earned a fight in the feeder league LFA. 'Sugar' got the attention he needed by delivering a spectacular heel-kick knockout. Sean O'Malley then appeared in Dana White's Contender Series in 2017 and delivered a first-round knockout of Alfred Khasakyan, immediately earning a UFC contract.
Sean O'Malley reeled in impressive wins over Andre Soukhamthath and Jose Quinonez before delivering another one-punch knockout victory over Eddie Wineland. After a freak accident that resulted in a loss against Marlon Vera, 'Sugar' bounced back with yet another highlight-reel knockout of Thomas Almeida.
In his most recent outing, Sean O'Malley defeated Kris Moutinho via TKO at UFC 264. Moutinho displayed an exceptional chin, almost going the distance against a fearsome puncher.
According to O'Malley, he recently passed an offer to fight Frankie Edgar at UFC 268. Edgar will now fight Marlon 'Chito' Vera on the same card. Fans are waiting for Sean O'Malley to step up in competition and climb the UFC's bantamweight ladder.
#4. Cody Garbrandt (UFC bantamweight)
While Cody Garbrandt has dropped four of his last five bouts, there's no denying the power he possesses. Currently ranked at number seven in the UFC's bantamweight division, Garbrandt can shut the lights on his opponents with a single punch.
Cody Garbrandt was introduced to boxing at the age of fifteen by his uncle, an Olympian. An exceptional athlete since childhood, Garbrandt went on to play for two NCAA Division II schools before dropping out. Garbrandt managed a 32-1 amateur boxing record before he transitioned to MMA, where he went 6-2 in his amateur career.
After winning his first three professional bouts, Cody Garbrandt joined Team Alpha Male, where Urijah Faber promised him a UFC career if he went 5-0. Garbrandt did just that and made his UFC debut at the age of 23, riding a five-fight knockout streak. 'No Love' fought a hard battle with Marcus Brimage in his debut and managed to get the finish with ten seconds remaining in the fight.
Cody Garbrandt went on to build a six-fight winning streak comprising four finishes and two bonus-winning performances. 'No Love' then lost three in a row before knocking out Raphael Assuncao in spectacular fashion. In his last bout, Cody Garbrandt dropped a lopsided decision to Rob Font.
#3. Cory Sandhagen (UFC bantamweight)
Yet another UFC bantamweight with one punch knockout power is Cory Sandhagen. 'The Sandman' deploys a variety of unorthodox moves that are enough to knock his opponents out cold if landed flush.
Cory Sandhagen currently holds a 7-2 UFC record which includes five finishes. He defeated Austin Arnett via second-round TKO in his debut and followed it up with another second-round TKO win over Iuri Alcantara. 'The Sandman' went 5-0 in the UFC before being submitted by current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
Sandhagen made a spectacular comeback with a spinning-wheel kick knockout win over former title challenger Marlon Moraes. Sandhagen then knocked out Frankie Edgar with a flying knee. The spectacular finish cast him back into the title picture. In his last outing, Sandhagen was outpointed by former champion T.J. Dillashaw in a closely contested split decision.
#2. Giga Chikadze (UFC featherweight)
Giga Chikadze is the UFC's latest featherweight sensation to rapidly climb the rankings. The Georgian fighter is known for his famous 'Giga kick,' which can knock the daylight out of his rivals.
Trained in karate since childhood, Giga Chikadze ventured into kickboxing as he grew up. The Georgian has been famous as a KO artist since his kickboxing days, amassing a 38-6 professional record, including 22 knockouts. Chikadze joined Kings MMA in 2015 and went on a five-fight first-round KO streak after an initial setback.
Giga Chikadze now holds a 14-2 professional record with nine KO/TKO finishes. The Georgian recently secured a TKO victory over ace striker Edson Barboza in his first UFC main event. Before that, Chikadze had knocked out veteran Cub Swanson with his signature 'Giga kick.'
#1. Michael Chandler (UFC lightweight)
Michael Chandler stands out as a one-punch knockout artist in one of the most stacked UFC divisions. The former three-time Bellator lightweight champion made his UFC debut against Dan Hooker in the co-main event at UFC 257.
In a bonus-winning performance, Chandler knocked Hooker out cold with a single left hand at 02:30 of the opening round. A former NCAA wrestler, Chandler possesses explosive power in his hands. This has manifested in several highlight-reel knockout victories. Out of his 22 career wins, Chandler has finished ten via KO/TKO and another seven via submission.
In his last outing, Michael Chandler lost in a championship bout against current UFC lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira.
