Arguably the most brutal knockout in UFC flyweight history took place on this day in 2023.
For much of MMA and combat sports history, mainstream focus has been on the heavier weight classes. Many even credit that mindset for the absence of the legendary Demetrious Johnson in many GOAT lists.
At one point in time, Dana White even contemplated ending the flyweight division. In the years since that was a possibility in early 2020, the emerging talents at 125 pounds have proven why that would have been a colossal mistake.
From Deiveson Figueiredo’s burst onto the scene as a freakish flyweight force to Alexandre Pantoja’s ongoing journey toward greatness on the throne, the division is well and truly thriving.
And it’s not just the big names who have gotten in on the action. Just two years ago, one fighter from outside the rankings delivered arguably the greatest knockout in the division’s history.
Jesus Aguilar starched Shanon Ross in rare one-punch flyweight KO at UFC 290
On this day, July 8, in 2023, UFC 290 closed out that year’s edition of International Fight Week.
The 2025 Las Vegas showcase recently saw Ilia Topuria knock out Charles Oliveira. While that KO was brutal, T-Mobile Arena might just have seen better on a preliminary card two years ago.
In just the second fight of the night at UFC 290, Jesus Aguilar met Shannon Ross in a flyweight bout. The Mexican entered the contest with nine professional wins, six via submission but zero via knockout.
The absence of a KO was rectified against Ross, and it took just 17 seconds.
Out of nowhere, the grappling specialist connected with a perfect overhand right, instantly putting his Australian rival out cold. Ross’ head slammed the canvas with a sickening thud as his stiff body fell back.
Though Ross was coming off a 59-second KO loss in his previous fight, nobody had expected the knockout-less Aguilar to outdo Kleydson Rodrigues’ efforts in such violent fashion.
Alexander Volkanovski, Dricus du Plessis, and Bo Nickal also got UFC 290 knockouts
Aguilar’s victory once again rewarded the select few in attendance at UFC 290 who arrived for the first fights. Fortunately for those who did not, they still witnessed plenty of action later in the card.
In fact, UFC 290 set a new modern record for the most sub-one-minute finishes, with three others joining Aguilar in achieving the feat. After Denise Gomes and Robbie Lawler did so on the prelims, Bo Nickal starched Val Woodburn in 38 seconds to kick off the main card.
Following a three-round war between Dan Hooker and Jalin Turner, another finish came courtesy of then-future middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The South African shocked the world by stopping Robert Whittaker to stay unbeaten inside the Octagon and earn his title shot.
As if that wasn’t enough, the consensus Fight of the Year between Pantoja and Brandon Moreno followed, kicking off the flyweight reign of ‘The Cannibal’.
The cherry on top of an incredible event was a return to winning ways for featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. In his first fight since narrowly losing to Islam Makhachev up at lightweight, the Aussie ran through Yair Rodriguez to further prove his greatness.