With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from November 2021: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for November.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
Nominees
Nominee: Jonas Bilharinho def. Canaan Kawaihae at DWCS 46
After two very close rounds of action that could have left the judges scratching their heads as they determined the winner of the contest, Jonas Bilharinho (9-1-1) decided to take matters into his own hands – or feet – against Canaan Kawaihae (6-2).
Just ahead of the 4:00 mark of the final round of the featherweight bout, Bilharinho landed a spinning wheel kick out of nowhere that caught Kawaihae flush, ending the fight almost instantly.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED 🤯
[ #DWCS is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/iMoxAUJYHH
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2021
Nominee: Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante at UFC 268
Chris Barnett (22-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) spoiled Gian Villante’s (17-14 MMA, 7-11 UFC) retirement fight with a spectacular finish by the charismatic – and athletic – heavyweight.
Halfway through the second round, Barnett hit Villante with an explosive spinning wheel kick. The unexpected shot dropped Villante to the canvas. Barnett immediately followed up with ground-and-pound while Villante covered up from turtle position. After a couple of seconds, the referee waved off the fight.
OH MY BEAST BOYYYYYYYYY 😤
[ #UFC268 | Early Prelims are LIVE on @UFCFightPass & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/cRf5Z3ocq6
— UFC (@ufc) November 6, 2021
Nominee: Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268
Former two-division GLORY kickboxing champion Alex Pereira (4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) produced a highlight in his octagon debut, when he floored Andreas Michailidis (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in their middleweight contest.
After Michailidis tried to grapple for the entire first round, Pereira turned the tables in the second frame. Just seconds in, Pereira leaped in the air and caught Michailidis with a flying knee that sent him straight to the canvas. The Brazilian followed up with a couple of ground-and-pound shots to finish the fight.
FLYING KNEE KNOCKOUT FOR ALEX PEREIRA 😱
Stream #UFC268 next on @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/BEEAJLbQ87 pic.twitter.com/A4GSCHeEZ2
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 7, 2021
Nominee: Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar at UFC 268
Marlon Vera (20-7-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) set a new UFC bantamweight record for stoppages with a rare knockout of former champion Frankie Edgar (24-10-1 MMA, 18-10-1 UFC).
After nearly a full fight of competitive action, “Chito” surprised Edgar when he altered his attack by throwing the left front kick up the middle for the knockout.
Nominee: Roman Faraldo def. Robert Turnquest at Bellator 271
Roman Faraldo (6-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) produced MMA’s Babe Ruth moment when he called his shot to knock out Robert Turnquest (11-8 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) just 77 seconds into their welterweight bout.
After staggering Turnquest with a punch, Faraldo pointed at his opponent to let him know what was coming. That didn’t stop a vicious flying knee from landing, though, as Faraldo jumped into the air and connected to turn the lights out for a phenomenal finish.
.@RomanFaraldo added to the KO of the Year conversation with a savage flying knee at #Bellator271 😱
📹 @BellatorMMApic.twitter.com/4r4pcf8uSe
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 13, 2021
The winner
The winner: Roman Faraldo
Lightning might not strike twice, but Faraldo’s flying knees do.
For the second time in his short Bellator tenure, Faraldo won by flying knee when he knocked out Turnquest at the 1:17 mark of Round 1.
The finishing sequence began with a short left hook. It might not have looked like much initially, but the blow clearly stunned Turnquest, who stumbled backward, hurt. Faraldo smelled blood in the water. He put his hands down, pointed at his foe, who was backpedaling, and leaped across the cage.
In the air, Faraldo switched knees. The knee moving from back to front clocked Turnquest upside the head, leading to a “Knockout of the Year” candidate. Upon impact, Turnquest crashed into the base of the cage where the fence and canvas meet. No follow up shots were thrown – and none were needed. Turnquest was stiff and out cold.
With the win, Faraldo stays undefeated as a professional. Training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., Faraldo is a training partner and friend of former UFC welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal.
All six of Faraldo’s pro fights have ended with him victorious by knockout, including a flying knee knockout of Pat Casey in his Bellator debut.