7 Best Female MMA Knockouts of All Time

by Martial Arts Insider

There have been many terrifying MMA female fighters that have put on dominating performances in the last several years.

In this page we'll go over the best female MMA knockouts, what the situation was leading up to the fight, along with what made the knockout so special.

best female mma knockout

Table of Contents

  1. Nunes vs Cyborg
  2. Nunes vs Rousey
  3. Holm vs Rousey
  4. Namajunas vs Jedrzejczyk
  5. Shevchenko vs Eye

1. Amanda Nunes vs Cris Cyborg

Situation

Nunes had won the Bantamweight title a few fights earlier, and had recently cleared out the division.

Her next true test would be to move up in weight class, and fight who was the scariest fighter at the time, Cris Cyborg.

Cyborg had not lost in 13 years (and even then she had only lost 1 fight, which was her first fight), and had knocked out pretty much everyone she had come across, violently.

This would decide who was the best female fighter of all time.

Result

Cyborg would go on to knock out Cyborg in the firs 51 seconds of the fight. It wasn't as easy as it seems however, as those 51 seconds started with Cyborg initially having success.

The tides shortly turned, and Nunes was able to do the unthinkable, knocking down Cyborg several times and then knocking Cyborg out cold to become the double champion.

2. Amanda Nunes vs Ronda Rousey

Situation

Nunes had just put on a dominant performance to win the title, by striking Miesha Tate with punches and knees, before submitting her in the first round.

It would be announced that Nunes would have her first title defense vs Ronda Rousey.

Rousey had been out of the spotlight for almost an entire year, after her first defeat.

This was her comeback fight. Ironically Rousey was dominating most of the promotional material, with Nunes barely getting any 'push'.

It became so obvious that even Joe Rogan famously criticized and questioned the promotional tactics.

Regardless, this was a fight of the 'new generation' vs the 'original generation'.

Result

Nunes would go on to knock out Rousey in 48 seconds of the first round.

Rousey would have minimum to no success, attempting to clinch, but Nunes would easily disengage and throw a barrage of unanswered strikes.

3. Holly Holm vs Ronda Rousey

Situation

Ronda Rousey at the time was widely regarded as the best female fighter in the world. She had dominated every fighter that she had faced.

In fact, all 12 of her wins had come by way of knockout or submission.

Holm was riding an undefeated 9-0 record coming into this fight. She had also been a boxing champion in several weight classes.

Whereas Rousey was dominantly winning each fight, Holm's last two fights were by way of decision, with one even being a split decision.

Due to this, Holm was a +700 underdog going into this fight.

Result

Holm would go on to stun the world in the second round of the fight, knocking Rousey out with a head kick.

4. Rose Namajunas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Situation

Joanna was riding an undefeated 14-0 record and was the dominant Strawweight champion in the primer of her career.

Rose on the other hand, only had a 6-3 record and despite flashing impressive tools, most fans thought that she yet to put everything together.

Vegas agreed with this sentiment as Joanna was a -700 favorite going into the fight.

Result

Rose pulled off a shocking upset in the first round of the fight, catching Joanna with an initial punch that dropped her, and from the Rose was able to finish the fight shortly afterwards.

This lead to Daniel Cormier's famous 'Thug Rose! Thug Rose!' line being heard all around the world.

5. Valentina Shevchenko vs Jessica Eye

Situation

Shevchenko had just defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk to win the Flyweight championship.

Shevchenko would make her first title defense vs Jessica Eye. Jessica Eye was 14-6 going into this fight.

There were some verbal back and forths prior to the fight. In the lead up of this fight, Valentina released a video of her practicing Muay Thai against the bag.

 

Jessica Eye commented about it on her twitter

 

 

Result

Valentina Schevchenko knocks Jessica Eye out cold with a scary head kick.

Prior to the knock out, Shevchenko was lighting her torso up with kicks. Eye adjusted and so did she, by moving her target from the midsection, directly to the head.

Related Articles

Best Female MMA Fighters of All Time

How to Know if You Punch Hard

Have UFC Double Knockouts Occurred?

Weirdest UFC Knockouts Ever

What's the Difference Between a KO vs TKO?

Toughest MMA Fighters in the History of MMA

The Worst MMA Fights in History

Best MMA Tattoos

Back to MMA