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10 Best Finishes of UFC 305 Fighters Including Dricus Du Plessis’ KO of Robert Whittaker
By Anthony Walker,
1 day ago
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Before the world of mixed martial arts centers around Perth, Australia this Saturday, we present ten of the best knockouts and submissions from the fighters scheduled to compete at UFC 305 including headliners Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.
10. Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jeremy Stephens – UFC Vegas 31
Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
While Mateusz Gamrot got off to a rocky start in his UFC debut, he rebounded with a solid win over Scott Holtzman. In his third fight in the Octagon, he faced the heavy handed and motivated Jeremy Stephens, who was attempting to recapture his magic in a return to the lightweight division.
Gamrot wasted no time removing Stephens’ infamous power punches from the equation with takedown in the beginning moments of the fight. When “Lil’ Heathen” attempted to use a kimura to sweep and get back to the feet, Gamrot found his own shoulder lock to counter. “Gamer” then violently cranked Stephens’ arm behind his back and forced the veteran to tap.
Following a brutal defeat at the hands of Edson Barboza, Dan Hooker was determined to reaffirm his position in the lightweight division in his next outing. At UFC on ESPN 4, he would stand across from James Vick, another 155er who needed to regain momentum.
Just halfway through the opening frame, “The Hangman” would find his opening. A stance-switch left hook connected, dropped Vick, and opened him up for the follow up ground strikes.
8. Carlos Prates vs. Charles Radtke – UFC Louisville
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
After stunning on the Contender Series and stopping Trevin Giles in his proper UFC debut, expectations were high for Carlos Prates. At UFC Louisville, the Brazilian would be matched up with Charles Radtke, another promising newcomer to the welterweight division.
Prates continued giving the judges time off when he turned up the aggression in the final seconds of the first round. After backing Radtke up to the fence and framing, Prates uncorked a knee to the body that made his opponent buckle in pain.
While Tai Tuivasa has a highlight reel full of entertaining knockout victories, his appearance at UFC 264 might be his most satisfying to watch. On that evening’s main card, “Bam Bam” would be paired with controversial former NFL star Greg Hardy.
The two would pass up on a feeling out period and immediately begin upon the opening bell. After Hardy stumbled Tuivasa with a punch, he recklessly charged forward to run into a two punch combination that sat him down. Tuivasa followed up with hammer fists until the fight was stopped.
In 2023, Steve Erceg put the UFC’s flyweight division on notice after standing out in the Oceanic regional scene for his impressive submission skills. At UFC Vegas 87, Erceg would be given a step up in competition against Matt Schnell.
Prior to that trip to the Apex Center, “Astroboy” retained his winning ways in the UFC but with the help of the judges. Early in the second round that changed. A body-head combination landed flush, sending Schnell’s consciousness into the ether. The walk off KO led to his recent title shot.
5. Kai Kara France vs. Cody Garbrandt – UFC 269
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
After winning the bantamweight title, Cody Garbrandt fell on hard times going 1-4 over the next several years. When he sought a new life at flyweight, he would have to get through Kai Kara France in order to establish himself in the new division. At UFC 269, “Don’t Blink” would spoil the welcoming party.
Near the halfway point of the opening round, France landed a big right hand that sent the former champ to the canvas. A premature celebration granted “No Love” a stay of execution until the Kiwi landed a punch combination that convinced Herb Dean to stop it.
4. Jingliang Li vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio – UFC on ABC 1
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nearly three years since his last fight, Santiago Ponzinibbio would make his return to the Octagon at UFC on ABC 1. When Muslim Salikhov was forced to withdraw after contracting COVID, Jingliang Li received the short notice assignment after his own extended layoff.
Before Ponzinibbio could shake off the ring rust, Li ended his night. With just over 30 seconds left in the first round, a left hook found its mark, leaving Ponzinibbio unable to continue.
3. Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Alistair Overeem – UFC on ESPN 7
Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Just two years after ending his kickboxing career, Jairzinho Rozenstruik would enter the UFC with an incredible start. His first three Octagon appearances combined for less than 10 minutes. While his main event against Alistair Overeem at UFC on ESPN 7 would take longer, it would also become his most memorable finish.
The former Strikeforce and Dream champion was well on his way to earning a decision victory when the tides changed in the final round. With just five seconds of the full 25 minutes remaining, “Bigi Boy” landed two punches that floored Overeem, badly split his lip, and stole the victory.
2. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC 290
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to UFC 290, Dricus Du Plessis was thought of as an exciting emerging middleweight with a clear ceiling. While he was able to finish Darren Till and perennial contender Derek Brunson, he was a sizable underdog against former champion Robert Whittaker.
DDP would defy the odds and score the most impressive win of his career that evening in Las Vegas. In the second round, “Stillknocks” would land a power jab to begin the fight-ending onslaught.
1. Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira – UFC 287
Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
After meeting three times across two different combat sports and coming up on the losing end, a lot was at stake for Israel Adesanya when he faced Alex Pereira at UFC 287. When granted an immediate rematch after losing his belt, “The Last Stylebender” did not waste the opportunity.
In an eerily similar start to their previous outings, the two accomplished kickboxers began their contrasting styles of physical chess to varying degrees of success. Late in the second round a brief game of possum would set Adesanya up for a picture counter combination with his back against the fence. His rival would fall lifelessly to the canvas and create one of the more popular memes in the sport.
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