MMA

3 of the UFC’s Most Underappreciated Knockout Artists

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The UFC is home to many of the highest-level martial artists on the planet. 

Although MMA is a sport you need many skills to succeed in, it’s no secret knockout artists become fan favorites. From the likes of power strikers like Derrick Lewis and Anthony Johnson to the technical masters like Giga Chikadze and Sean O’Malley, it’s safe to say the knockout put these guys on the map. Getting a knockout is one thing, but looking good doing it makes it that much sweeter and you can do that by checking out the XMARTIAL MMA STORE.

As the top organization in the world, the UFC is loaded with knockout artists. With that being, said here are a few that don’t get the appreciation they deserve.

Ignacio Bahamondes (12-4) 9 KO’s

The 24-year-old Chilean striker is beyond a pleasure to watch every time he steps in the cage. Bahamondes made his pro debut at 18-years-old in 2015. In his first six bouts, he went 4-2 earning all his wins by first-round knockout. Just three years later, he got an opportunity to make a case for himself to be in the UFC at Dana White’s Contender Series. In his showcase bout, he put on a striking clinic and showed off his versatile stand-up arsenal. He landed a picture-perfect front kick up the middle ending his opponent’s night and putting himself on the map. However, this wasn’t even Bahamondes’ best knockout. This past August, he put on another striking clinic and finished off Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Vegas 34 with a wheel kick in what was, without a doubt, knockout of the year. Not only is Ignacio Bahamondes’ style a bad matchup for many lightweights, but also his frame isn’t one you see very often at 155 lbs. Being 6’3 and having a 76” reach is something that will play into his favor very often. After one of the best knockouts MMA fans have seen in a while, Bahamondes is set to return to the octagon in February of 2022 against China’s Rongzhu. 

Miguel Baeza (10-1) 7 KO’s

South Floridian, Miguel Baeza, is without a doubt a top 20 welterweight in the UFC. After winning six straight to start his pro career, he got his chance to show what he’s made of on Dana White’s Contender Series. After a convincing win over Victor Reyna, he earned himself a UFC contract. In his four-fight UFC career, he’s 3-1 with all his wins coming by way of finish. The finish most notable on his resume is his knockout of Matt Brown at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville. Baeza is just one of three fighters, including Donald Cerrone, who have finished Matt Brown by knockout. At age 29, the MMA Masters product is a force to be reckoned with at welterweight. His lone loss came in a controversial decision against top 15 welterweight and 32-fight veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio. Baeza will look to get back in the win column next month, at UFC Vegas 42, as he takes on Khaos Williams.

Randy Costa (6-2) 6 KO’s

Sanford MMA’s, Randy Costa, is the definition of a knockout artist. The 27-year-old kicked off his career finishing all 4 straight opponents by first-round knockout, three of them within the first minute of the fight. After getting the UFC call up in 2019, he suffered a loss to a tough Brandon Davis on short notice. Six months later, he got his first UFC win and knockout after finishing Boston Salmon in under 2:30. After a tenured 11-month layoff, he returned in September of 2020 to take on Journey Newson. Just 41-seconds into the fight at UFC Vegas 11, Costa lands a picture-perfect head kick putting his opponent’s lights out. The knockout of Newsome was the best of Costa’s career so far and put him on the map. In his eight pro fights, he has never made it to even the halfway point of the scheduled 15 minutes. All six of his wins have come by first-round finish, four have come in under a minute. Costa is set to return against Tony Kelley in December at UFC 269. 

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