We continue our year end awards with our 2024 Knockout of the Year, and being honest, there wasn’t much debate. That’s what happens when you have a highly anticipated fight between two fan-favorites that ends in a “did you just see that?!?” moment at the very last second. So, let’s get right to our selection process, but you’ve no doubt guessed this one already.
Knockout of the Year 2024
Eddie Law: Holloway KO’s Gaethje. Is there any other choice here? All of the naysayers going on and on about Gaethje’s power all had to eat crow at UFC 300. After dominating, yes dominating, Gaethje and on his way to a clean decision victory, Holloway pointed to the ground and slug it out in the final seconds scoring a buzzer-beating savage knockout. Real BMF-ish.
Jay Anderson: You have to give this one to Max Holloway. He claimed the UFC‘s “BMF” title, which we all thought would be a one-off, with a timeless performance at UFC 300. Vintage Holloway, and then, well ahead in the fight, he points to the floor and engages in a firefight with Justin Gaethje, a man virtually no one wants to engage in a firefight with. The knockout coming at the very last second made this the stuff of legend.
Gabriel Gonzalez: Max Holloway Against Justin Gaethje. To say it was iconic would be an understatement. Set against the backdrop of the seminal UFC 300, against an electrifying and intimidating lightweight force in Justin Gaethje, and at the end of a brilliantly performed fight, Holloway went from superstar to living legend with a knockout for the ages. Most importantly: it was distinctly Max. He delivered as only he does and in a way only he can.
Bryson Hester: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje. I wish there could be two KOs of the Year for 2024. Vinicius Oliveria’s flying knee KO over Sopaj was amazing but had none of the intangibles. A KO in the last second of a five round title fight in the people’s main event of the historic UFC 300 card. It quite literally doesn’t get any better than that. Taking into account the set up of the finish with Max Holloway pointing at the ground to swing to the finish and Gaethje bravely obliging him. Just a perfect moment.
Patrick McCorry: Ion Surdu vs. Kaik Brito, Oktagon 64. Now this may be a little bit of bias, as I was at the event, however the head kick KO was magnificent. Shifting in on strikes and in short range landing a picture perfect head kick KO to win the Welterweight title. Obviously Holloway Gaethje is the KO of the year for many, but I went with Surdu’s KO to pick something different from the rest, and because I was there live to witness it.
Cade Morehouse: Knockout of the Year has to be Max Holloway over Justin Gaethje. The build up and anticipation for that fight between two of the baddest, most respected guys on the planet and in sport of MMA was crazy and they delivered. The way Max gave Justin a chance and they went out with that type of moment for the fans will go down as one of the best moments in the sports history, especially with one second on the clock.
Brett Cagle: Max Holloway KO Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. When Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje after pointing at the ground and deciding to trade it was one of the most exciting moments in UFC history. Holloway landing the knockout punch just before the buzzer will remain in the minds of fans for years to come.
Mathis Desjardins: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje [UFC 300]. Yes, Ilia Topuria cracked Holloway’s legendary chin, Vinicius Oliveira and Shara Bullet’s KOs are hard to beat on style points, but let’s not overthink this. People were scared for Holloway when this fight was announced, thinking it was going to be a repeat of the last time he fought at lightweight, only this time questioning his durability as he was five years older. Yet, he outclassed Gaethje and while way ahead on the scorecards, he points to the ground and gives the heavy hitter a chance to make up for it only for him to be the one to put to other to sleep. The word “legendary” gets thrown around too often, but in this case, it’s an understatement.
End result: Max Holloway wins our Knockout of the Year award for 2024, by a landslide.
