Before UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw, Let's Take A Look Back At The Best Flying Knee Knockouts On UFC Fight Pass
Flying knee knockouts are one of the most exciting ways to finish a fight in the Octagon. For proof, look no further than Jorge Masvidal’s finish of Ben Askren, which became the fastest knockout in UFC history, or Cory Sandhagen’s insane flying knee knockout earlier this year against Frankie Edgar.
As Sandhagen prepares to face TJ Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night this weekend, let’s check out the best flying knee knockouts on UFC FIGHT PASS.
The Best Flying Knee Knockouts
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Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there’s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world’s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!
Spencer Fisher vs Matt Wiman
UFC 60 | May 27, 2006
Spencer Fisher knees Matt Wiman at UFC 60 at Staples Center on May 27, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
To start things off, let’s go back to 2006 when lightweights Spencer Fisher and Matt Wiman met at Staples Center. Just as Fisher finished throwing some jabs, Wiman stepped back and taunted Fisher by waving his finger “no.” As soon as Wiman dropped his guard, Fisher seized the opportunity and landed the flying knee, knocking Wiman out and sending him to the floor with his forehead bleeding.
Pablo Garza vs Fredson Paixao
TUF Finale: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale | December 4, 2010
Pablo Garza throws a knee at Fredson Paixao at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale at the Pearl at the Palms on December 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
This was the first featherweight fight in UFC history, and it did not disappoint, as it only took 51 seconds for Pablo Garza to secure the win. When Fredson Paixao went in for the takedown, Garza went for the flying knee which put Paixao out cold.
Chris Beal vs Patrick Williams
UFC 172 | April 26, 2014
Chris Beal knees Patrick Williams in their bantamweight bout during the UFC 172 event at the Baltimore Arena on April 26, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Zuffa LLC)
Joe Rogan called this one “about as perfect a flying knee as we’ve ever seen in the Octagon.” During the second round, the two fighters exchanged punches, but after Beal got Williams up against the cage, he jumped and landed the flying knee which put Williams out before he hit the ground. With the win, Beal also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
Thomas Almeida vs Brad Pickett
UFC 189 | July 11, 2015
Thomas Almeida punches Brad Pickett in their bantamweight fight during the UFC 189 event inside MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC)
Almeida cashed in his third straight bonus with this knockout of Pickett. Just prior to landing the knee, Pickett attempted to throw one himself but couldn’t rattle Almeida. Seconds later, Almeida stepped forward, launching himself through the air to secure the flying knee which sent Pickett to the floor. This win extended Almeida’s record to 20-0 at the time.
Diego Rivas vs Noad Lahat
UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs Thompson | February 6, 2016
Diego Rivas of Chile celebrates after his knockout victory over Noad Lahat of Israel in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at MGM Grand Garden Arena on February 6, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire /Zuffa LLC)
Twenty-three seconds into the second round, Rivas took home the win after Lahat had dominated the first frame. But as soon as the second round began, it was all Rivas. Rivas springing toward Lahat and landing the flying knee that ended the bout.
Edson Barboza vs Beneil Dariush
UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs Gastelum | March 11, 2017
Edson Barboza of Brazil kicks Beneil Dariush of Iran in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at CFO - Centro de Formaco Olimpica on March 11, 2017 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC)
This was one for the highlight reel. Following a good combination from Barboza, Dariush tried to go in for a punch of his own when Barboza shut it down, ascending into the air and catching Dariush with the flying knee, knocking him out immediately.
Tai Tuivasa vs Rashad Coulter
UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs Tybura | November 19, 2017
Tai Tuivasa kicks Rashad Coulter in their heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside the Qudos Bank Arena on November 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
Tuivasa put on a show in his UFC heavyweight debut when he landed a huge right kick which put Coulter down, taking his legs out from under him. As soon as Coulter got back up on his feet, Tuivasa took advantage and landed a leaping left knee that put Coulter out.
Michel Pereira vs Danny Roberts
UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs Lee | May 18, 2019
Michel Pereira of Brazil lands a flying knee against Danny Roberts of the United Kingdom in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Michael Owens/Zuffa LLC)
Welcome to the UFC Michel Pereira! In his UFC debut, Pereira made a statement against Danny Roberts. Only 1:47 into the first round, Pereira went for the flying knee which wobbled Roberts. Pereira followed it up with a hard punch that put Roberts on the ground, ending the night.
Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren
UFC 239 | July 6, 2019
Jorge Masvidal knees Ben Askren in their welterweight fight during the UFC 239 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
We can’t talk about flying knee knockouts and not include Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal’s five-second knockout of Askren became the fastest knockout in UFC history. As soon as the fight clock began, Masvidal was full speed ahead, immediately throwing the knee when Askren changed levels for the takedown. It was a knockout that will be remembered forever.
Cory Sandhagen vs Frankie Edgar
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs Volkov | February 6, 2021
Cory Sandhagen lands a flying knee to knock out Frankie Edgar in their bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
What an insane knockout from Sandhagen, which came just 28 seconds into the fight. While Edgar ducked his head attempting to go for a takedown, Sandhagen jumped into the air, catching Edgar on the chin with the flying knee. This sent Edgar down to the canvas and ended the bout.
Following the knockout, Sandhagen yelled, “I want that belt,” and his next chance to make a statement comes this weekend against TJ Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night.
