3 of the Best MMA Knockouts Inside the ONE Circle This Year

ONE Championship saw plenty of fast-paced action over the past 12 months – and spectacular knockouts followed suit. ONE’s roster of mixed martial artists treated combat sports fans to every imaginable knockout, and they came in abundance across the promotion’s calendar of events. 

Flying knees, one-punch finishes, and kicks that instantly turned the lights out were all seen inside the Circle, leaving it difficult to choose the best highlight-reel moment.

So, we’ve chosen three of the most-electrifying MMA knockouts seen on ONE’s global stage in 2022, and here they are.

#1 Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes II

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. That phrase best fits Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson’s epic knockout of Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in their second meeting for the ONE Flyweight World Title at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August.

The MMA GOAT had to weather a bucketload of attacks from Moraes in the first two frames, including a head kick that left him on wobbly legs. However, he pulled away in the third round thanks to his constant attacks and solid guard game on the canvas. 

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Then, in the fourth canto, he stunned the longtime divisional king with a flying knee at the 3:50 mark to take home the coveted crown, finishing the rematch in the same way Moraes had in their first bout just over a year earlier.

#2 Anatoly Malykhin vs. Reinier De Ridder

Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin started the year with a spectacular knockout of Kirill Grishenko to claim the ONE Interim Heavyweight World Title at ONE: BAD BLOOD in February. 

At ONE on Prime Video 5 earlier this month, he moved down to light heavyweight and proved that his fists pack just as much power there by decimating divisional king Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder to become a two-division king.

The Russian slugger shut down most of the Dutchman’s takedown attempts and ripped him apart with punches to the abdomen, temple, and jaw. An overhand right then dropped the Breda native to the canvas. From there, Malykhin unleashed a plethora of hammerfists to confirm the win at 4:35 of the first round.

#3 Thanh Le vs. Garry Tonon

56 seconds. That’s all it took for then-ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le to defend his prized possession against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon.

As soon as the action got underway, Le unleashed three high kicks that caught Tonon by surprise. In response, the American returned to his roots – closing the distance and wrapping his arms around the Taekwondo specialist’s foot for a heel hook.

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Le was having none of that, however. With Tonon’s hands busy and his face static, the 50/50 and MidCity MMA dropped a barrage of punches onto his foe to seal the victory inside the opening minute of the contest.