Magomed Ankalaev, the UFC light heavyweight powerhouse from Russia, has made a name for himself with a string of devastating knockouts that have left fans and pundits alike in awe. Known for his incredible striking skills, precision, and athleticism, Ankalaev has amassed a collection of highlight-reel finishes that cement him as one of the most feared knockout artists in the division. Today, we’re ranking his top knockouts by sheer brutality, looking at the impact and devastation of each finish.

Knockout of Ion Cuțelaba – UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis (2021)

Without a doubt, the most brutal knockout in Ankalaev’s career came against Ion Cuțelaba. The two fighters had previously met in a highly controversial draw in 2020, which set the stage for a rematch that fans had eagerly anticipated.

In the second round of their bout at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis, Ankalaev delivered a savage counter-right hook that completely shut Cuțelaba’s lights out. Cuțelaba, who had been charging forward with aggression, walked right into Ankalaev’s perfectly-timed hook that sent him crashing to the canvas.

The knockout was so clean that Cuțelaba went limp immediately, his body stiffened in what can only be described as a snap from the sheer force of the punch. The finish was a perfect example of Ankalaev’s ability to strike with pinpoint accuracy and power, making this knockout arguably his most brutal to date.

Knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. – UFC 219 (2017)

Ankalaev’s first major knockout in the UFC came against Khalil Rountree Jr. in 2017. Rountree, known for his knockout power, entered the fight with a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the light heavyweight division. However, Ankalaev quickly showed that he could match, if not surpass, Rountree in terms of striking explosiveness.

In the third round, Ankalaev landed a perfectly-timed left hook that dropped Rountree like a sack of potatoes. The punch was so clean that Rountree’s legs immediately stiffened, and he fell backward with little to no resistance. It was a jaw-dropping display of precision and power, and Ankalaev’s calm, calculated approach made the knockout even more devastating.

The speed at which Rountree went from standing to unconscious made this one of Ankalaev’s most brutal and memorable finishes to date.

 Knockout of Nikita Krylov – UFC Fight Night: Blachowicz vs. Rakic (2021)

Next up is the knockout over Nikita Krylov, which solidified Ankalaev’s status as one of the top light heavyweights in the UFC. This fight was a statement, and Ankalaev made sure to leave no doubts about his superiority.

In the first round, Ankalaev kept his distance and showcased his exceptional technique, but the finish came early in the second round. With Krylov attempting to press forward, Ankalaev unleashed a devastating counter-right hook that sent Krylov crashing to the canvas. Krylov tried to recover, but Ankalaev was quick to follow up with a vicious ground-and-pound assault, finishing the fight before Krylov could mount any sort of defense.

The brutal sequence highlighted Ankalaev’s incredible power, combined with his fighter IQ, and his ability to close the show once he smelled blood. Krylov never stood a chance after Ankalaev landed that knockout punch, making it one of his more decisive finishes in the UFC.

 Knockout of Glover Teixeira (Exhibition Match)

While this wasn’t a professional UFC fight, the knockout of Glover Teixeira in a training session between Ankalaev and the former UFC light heavyweight champion deserves recognition. During an exhibition match, Ankalaev delivered a brutal right hand that sent Teixeira to the canvas in devastating fashion.

Although Teixeira wasn’t knocked out cold like in some of the other finishes on this list, the sheer impact and power of the punch left everyone in attendance speechless. Teixeira, known for his granite chin and ability to absorb punishment, was visibly stunned by the force of Ankalaev’s strike, proving just how dangerous the Russian is.

This knockout solidified Ankalaev’s reputation as a fighter with both tactical precision and explosive knockout power, and served as a warning to the entire light heavyweight division.

 Knockout of Clinton Williams – UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira (2017)

Another example of Ankalaev’s devastating striking ability came against Clinton Williams at UFC Fight Night in 2017. Williams, a fighter with decent striking and heart, walked straight into a straight right hand that was delivered with textbook technique.

The punch came out of nowhere, and Williams had no chance to react as Ankalaev delivered the devastating blow. Williams crumpled to the floor, unable to defend himself or recover, and the fight was over before he could even blink.

This knockout was a statement from Ankalaev, who demonstrated his ability to finish a fight in the blink of an eye. Though Williams may not have been as well-known as some of Ankalaev’s other opponents, this KO was no less brutal in its execution.

Honorable Mentions:

While Ankalaev has already established a strong reputation for his brutal finishes, there are a few additional knockouts that are worth mentioning:

Knockout of Dalcha Lungiambula – UFC Fight Night: Blachowicz vs. Rakic (2021): A powerful knockout with a right hook that sent Lungiambula crashing to the canvas.
Knockout of Marcos Rogerio de Lima – UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis (2021): Ankalaev showed his versatility in this fight by knocking out de Lima in the opening round with a clean, sharp counter-strike.

Conclusion: Ankalaev’s Brutal Legacy

Magomed Ankalaev’s string of knockouts is a testament to his raw power, technical striking, and ability to finish fights in spectacular fashion. Each of these knockouts has contributed to his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the light heavyweight division.

From his precise counter-strikes to his devastating knockout power, Ankalaev has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with. As his career progresses, it’s likely that more brutal finishes will come, and fans can only wait with bated breath to see which opponent will be next to fall victim to Ankalaev’s brutal knockout power.

With every fight, Ankalaev cements himself as one of the most dangerous and exciting fighters in the UFC, and as his career continues to rise, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to deliver brutal knockouts that leave fans in awe.