Top 5: Greatest Knees in UFC History

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A lot can happen in a few seconds.

Jorge Masvidal posted the fastest knockout in Ultimate Fighting Championship history at UFC 239, where he froze former Bellator MMA and ONE Championship titleholder Ben Askren with a flying knee in the first round of their welterweight showcase on July 6, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Masvidal sent the four-time NCAA All-American wrestler and onetime Olympian into another dimension five seconds into Round 1.

Askren shot for takedown right out of the gate and paid an unimaginably steep price. Masvidal took flight, beat him to the spot and connected with full force, the impact of the concussive blow echoing through a stunned arena. Askren fell to the ground stiff and unconscious before being met with a few follow-up punches from the ruthless Floridian.

More than five years later, Masvidal’s shot heard ’round the world on Askren still ranks as one of the greatest knee strikes in UFC history. Here are four more to consider:

Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
UFC 142
Jan 14, 2012 | Rio de Janeiro
Aldo was masterful at the jam-packed HSBC Arena, where he successfully defended his undisputed UFC featherweight championship with a sensational first-round knockout of the previously unbeaten Team Alpha Male star. Mendes bowed out 4:59 into Round 1. Afterward, a triumphant Aldo stormed out of the cage and into the middle of a boisterous, pro-Brazilian crowd, where he was carried around on the shoulders of his countrymen in an emotional scene that was immediately woven into the sport’s historical fabric. From the start, it did not go well for Mendes. Aldo attacked with savage kicks to the legs and stymied every one of his takedown attempts. With the decorated amateur wrestler unable to put the fight in a more advantageous position, it was only a matter of time before Aldo zeroed in. The finish was breathtaking. The two men engaged in an extended clinch against the cage, with Mendes attached to the Brazilian’s back. Aldo separated his would-be successor’s hands, broke free and, in one motion, turned and met him with a knee to the head that was equal parts exquisite and devastating. Mendes went stiff and hit the canvas. Aldo followed, blasted him with a right hand and put an exclamation point on an unforgettable victory.

B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk
UFC 84
May 24, 2008 | Las Vegas
Penn tied up some loose ends when he wiped out “The Muscle Shark” with a third-round knee strike and follow-up punches to retain the undisputed UFC lightweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Hawaiian controlled the majority of the match with a punishing jab, keeping Sherk at bay while denying both of his attempted takedowns. The damage started to pile up in the third round, with Sherk bleeding from cuts near both eyes. In the waning seconds, Penn charged at the Greg Nelson protégé and blasted him with a flying knee that sent him careening into the fence. A semi-conscious but defenseless Sherk was then met with rapid-fire punches until the horn sounded. Penn declared he was done, and referee Mario Yamasaki agreed. “The Prodigy” connected on 69 percent of his significant strikes in the 15-minute affair, outlanding Sherk by a 122-46 margin. Penn’s knee still makes regular appearances on UFC highlight reels.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar
UFC Fight Night 184
Feb. 6, 2021 | Las Vegas
Sandhagen leveled the future hall of famer with a picture-perfect flying knee in the first round of their co-main event at the UFC Apex. The confrontation ended a mere 28 seconds into Round 1. Edgar pressed the issue, only to have his aggression used against him. Sandhagen sidestepped the former lightweight champion, took flight and planted his knee on the jaw. Edgar froze where he stood, collapsed and hit the canvas motionless and unconscious. It started a string of three consecutive first-round knockout losses for “The Answer” that ultimately led to his retirement. Four-plus years later, Sandhagen’s highlight-reel stoppage still ranks as the eighth-fastest knockout in the history of the bantamweight division.

Spencer Fisher vs. Matt Wiman
UFC 60
May 27, 2006 Los Angeles
Fisher disposed of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 quarterfinalist with a karma-infused flying knee in the second round of their lightweight prelim at the Staples Center. Wiman packed his bags 1:43 into Round 2, having been shown the door by one of Pat Miletich’s most respected lieutenants. They went toe to toe for more than six minutes, with neither man showing a willingness to budge. With Fisher bleeding around his eyes in Round 2, he clinched with the Denver native along the fence and delivered two sharp knees to the face and chest. A right hand followed and sent Wiman stumbling into the cage. Visibly dazed, the UFC debutant made a decision he would live to regret, raised his right hand, lowered his shields and pointed skyward. Fisher then stepped into a vicious flying knee that folded him where he stood and resulted in an immediate stoppage.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Pablo Garza vs. Fredson Paixao, “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale; Vitor Belfort vs. Marvin Eastman, UFC 43; Thiago Alves vs. Matt Hughes, UFC 85; Thomas Almeida vs. Brad Pickett, UFC 189; James Irvin vs. Terry Martin, UFC 54; Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin, UFC 64; Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman, UFC 205; Christopher Mario Beal vs. Patrick Williams, UFC 172; Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim, UFC 132; Edson Barboza vs. Beneil Dariush, UFC Fight Night 106; Godofredo Castro vs. Noad Lahat, UFC Fight Night 38; Vinicius Oliveira vs. Bernardo Sopai, UFC Fight Night 238