Top 5 Fastest Finishes in UFC Bantamweight Division History

When the UFC bantamweight division is being discussed, names such as Dominick Cruz, Renan Barao, T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt are mentioned as they carved out their respective place in the elite company of fighters to ever compete in the 135-pound weight class. These former champions were also responsible for several UFC fight odds that fans were able to bet on.

Aside from these iconic athletes and former champions, the bantamweight division is also home to some of the fastest finishes in the UFC, which makes UFC betting more exciting as fans can put wagers on their MMA odds.

Today, I listed down the top five fastest finishes in UFC bantamweight history that we have witnessed so far.

1. Erik Perez vs. Ken Stone – 17 Seconds

Mexico’s Erik Perez set the record for the fastest finish in UFC bantamweight history when he knocked out Ken Stone in 17 seconds of their fight in August 2012. It was Perez’s second UFC fight after winning his debut over John Albert in June 2012 via armbar submission in the first round of their Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale match.

Perez was countered by Stone with a straight right hand after he landed an outside leg kick, but he was able to absorb it. But Stone missed another left straight punch, which allowed Perez to counter with his right hook that landed on his opponent’s chin. That check hook planted Stone down to the canvas, and it was the beginning of the end for him as “El Goyito” poured down six more punches to officially close the match and get the victory. 

2. Montel Jackson vs. Da’Mon Blackshear – 18 Seconds

In July 2024 at the UFC Denver card, Montel Jackson made quick work of Da’Mon Blackshear with an incredible 18-second knockout finish. Jackson flexed his one-punch power with a left-hand punch that landed straight on Blackshear’s chin and instantly put him down.

Jackson set the fantastic finish against Blackshear with a solid one-two punch, as he lured him to lunge forward for maximum damage. Jackson officially finished off the match with three more ground-and-pound punches until the referee stepped in and stopped the match.

3. Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri – 19 Seconds

The third UFC fight of rising star Payton Talbott in the UFC became his jumping board to prominence, as he knocked out Yanis Ghemmouri in just 19 seconds last June 2024 at UFC 303. Talbott ran through Ghemmouri with a counter straight right-hand punch down the pipe that immediately floored him.

Talbott timed a perfect counter to the kick that Ghemmouri attempted. He was supposed to go on a walk-off knockout when Ghemmouri was down, but the referee didn’t stop the fight. This prompted him to go for the kill with several more punches until the referee has seen enough.

4. Francisco Rivera vs. Alex Caceres – 21 Seconds

The fourth-fastest finish in UFC bantamweight history belongs to Francisco Rivera, as he knocked out Alex Caceres in just 21 seconds of their match in June 2016 to earn his fourth UFC win in seven bouts (the other three bouts were two losses and one no-contest). Both Rivera and Caceres were riding two straight losses coming into this fight.

These two bangers exchanged early in the fight, where Rivera countered a missed straight hand from Caceres to land a punch to his chin, but Alex was able to absorb it well. Unfortunately, a follow-up left hook from Rivera knocked him down and swarmed him with ground and pound strikes to finish the fight early and put him to sleep.

5. Nick Denis vs. Joseph Sandoval – 22 Seconds

Nick Denis had a dream debut with the UFC in January 2012. Not only did he win his fight over Joseph Sandoval, but he also scored a fast knockout finish that lasted for 22 seconds. It was Denis’ 11th career victory in 13 matches, including a 100% finishing rate. This impressive win is also the fifth-fastest stoppage in UFC’s bantamweight division.

Denis neutralized Sandoval’s aggression by catching him in a clinch position, which opened up the opportunity for massive elbow strikes to his head. From that position, the “Ninja of Love” unleashed five consecutive vicious elbow strikes to Sandoval’s temple, knocking him out and leaving him stiff as a board.