In a sport as fast-paced and with potentially dire consequences for slow reactions, there have been some blisteringly fast knockouts. These knockouts are sure to be immortalized in MMA history as great examples of how the sport can deliver fantastic and unexpected moments.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is rarely boring, but sometimes it can deliver absolutely jaw-dropping moments. A great example of such moments is when matches ended in knockouts within seconds. While the enjoyment can be bittersweet if you were hoping to watch a long fight, seeing something so spectacular and unexpected is more than worth it. Lightning-fast knockouts become part of a fighter’s story and forever change how people feel about them and how betting platforms handle their odds. This article will look at five of the fastest knockouts that MMA has seen to date, in no particular order.
Why do fast knockouts impact betting odds?
There are a couple of ways that fast knockouts impact betting odds. Most directly, fighters that are known for delivering fast knockouts typically have odds that skew more towards their fights being over quickly and knockouts being involved. This means that when looking at comparison sites like BetBrain.com for a good place to place bets on MMA fights, fighters with histories of dishing out quick knockouts will likely have odds that favor those outcomes across multiple sportsbooks.
However, any bettor knows that just because the odds are skewed in one direction, that doesn’t reflect what will actually happen. Fighters who are known for quick finishes are often the best to bet against if you want to place underdog bets and hope for an upset.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren (5 seconds)
Even if you aren’t a dedicated follower of UFC, it’s likely that you’ve seen this spectacular piece of work. With one of the cleanest flying knees that anyone has ever seen, Jorge Masvidal made certain his name would forever be an MMA legend by applying that knee directly to the face of Ben Askren 5 seconds into the match. Askren was out before he hit the canvas and Masvidal was victorious and had earned himself the record for fastest KO in a UFC match.
Masvidal didn’t have the best record after this bout and retired in 2023 but he is reportedly in talks with UFC to fight on a card in Miami sometime in the near future and is still considered an extremely dangerous opponent.
Duane Ludwig vs. Jonathan Goulet (6 seconds)
The record holder before Masvidal’s flying knee was Duane “Bang” Ludwig, who took only 6 seconds to fell opponent Jonathan Goulet. Not as showy and impressive as Masvidal’s knee, Ludwig’s clean right hand impacting with Goulet is still an awesome spectacle to watch. This lightning-fast match held the record for the fastest knockout for 13 years until Masvidal’s famous flying knee.
Ludwig went on to coach with Team Alpha Male, an outfit that has turned out a number of UFC champions and then later opened his own gym where he trains UFC fighters to this day.
Todd Duffee vs. Tim Hague (7 seconds)
In August of 2009, at UFC 102, Todd Duffee and Tim Hague faced off and Duffee set the record for fastest heavyweight knockout with a blistering barrage that ended the match in only 7 seconds. Amazingly this was Duffee’s first appearance on a UFC card. This match earned Duffee a lot of praise and built a mystique around him, that Duffee himself said was unearned and overhyped.
Sadly for Duffee, his MMA career has been one that is plagued with injuries and other health issues. But despite that, his performance against Hague will always live in MMA history as an example of raw explosive power.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Mark Hominick (7 seconds)
Before Masvidal, Chan Sung Jung was another close contender for the fastest knockout at 7 seconds. Despite being known as “The Korean Zombie”, Jung showed in his match against Mark Hominick for UFC 140, that he is by no means as slow as his namesake. He also showed that all it takes to stop a fight is one perfectly placed right hand.
Jung earned his nickname by showing that he could weather all sorts of hits and punishment and still be able to close out a fight, but his swift knockout of Hominick showed that he can make damaging moves of his own when the moment calls for it.
Ben Edwards vs. Bryan Douwes (5 seconds)
While not a UFC match, and therefore not as well known, this 5-second match courtesy of Ben Edwards’s right hand still deserves mention. Facing off against opponent Bryan Douwes in an Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) match, Edwards was able to quickly snap out a clean hit that put his opponent down.
Why are these knockouts important?
Apart from being awesome moments to watch, these knockouts are important because they showcase everything about the very best the MMA has to offer. Only a fighter at the prime of their game and with the ability to push their body to its limit could be capable of accomplishing such a feat against another fighter who is also competing at such a high level. Beyond that though, it showcases that some fighters are able to read and set the terms of the engagement, and evidence that MMA is a thinking fighters game is always appreciated.
These fighters have all touched glory and their names will forever be associated with greatness and accomplishment. Moments like these show us the true unpredictability that MMA can offer.