Article by David Istrate – published Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 17:00 / Updated Tuesday, July 22, 2025 17:01
The first half of 2025 brought some spectacular struggles to the UFC, stars being Georgiano-Spaniol Ilia Topuria or Israel Adesanya, with Nigerian and New Zealand citizenship. At the same time, there were some duels that exceeded expectations and offered some exceptional KOs.
Sportal.BG has made a list of 5 knows from the first six months of the year, which impresses both by the style of Octagon and their difficulty and opponents against which they were made.
Top of the most spectacular KOs of the year
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Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira – UFC 317 (28.06.2025). El Matador won his second UFC title, made KO on the former champion in the 70 kg category from the first round. The Georgian fighter with a Spanish passport once again showed that he is one of the best boxers in the competition, welcoming the Brazilian with a brilliant combination of two crochets.
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira/Photo: Imago Images
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Mauricio Ruffy Vs King Green – UFC 313 (08.03.2025). Another know of a light category fighter who demonstrates that he has the potential to be a champion one day. Mauricio Ruffy sent Veteran King Green to the floor with a rotary kick at the head. The spectacular execution brought to the Brazilian the bonus for the “Knockout of the evening” and proved that its unconventional style can also be effective against the larger names in the division.
Mauricio Ruffy Vs. King Green/Photo: Imago Images
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Nassourdine Imavov vs Israel Adesanya – Saudi Arabia UFC (01.02.2025). In the first half of the year, I saw many struggles in which the change of generations in the world MMA was highlighted. The former champion in the 84 kg category, Israel Adesanya, is doing well in the Main Event of the first UFC event in Saudi Arabia, until he decided to sit with his back. Then, Nassourdine Imavov, hungry, took advantage of full and bombarded bombing, ending the fight.
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Israel ADESANYA/PHOTO: IMAGO IMAGES
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Dominick Reyes vs Nikita Krylov – UFC 314 (12.04.2025). Former title suitor in the 93 kg category, Dominick Reyes, demonstrated craftsmanship, creating a Knockout in Anderson Silva's style. The American managed to break his opponent with a “direct”, walking back, then ended the fight in less than two seconds with a few hits on the ground.
Dominick Reyes vs. Nikita Krylov/Photo: Imago Images
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Malcolm Wellmaker vs Kris Moutinho – UFC Atlanta (14.06.2025). There are not many fighters who have left such a good impression at their debut in the UFC as Malcolm Wellmaker. The 30-year-old American has shown from his first struggle that it can be a problem for the 61 kg category, lowering the extremely resistant Kris Moutinho with a powerful crochet with the main hand. Victoria was the tenth in ten professional matches for Wellmaker.
Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Kris Moutinho/Photo: Imago Images
