![\"ABU](\"https:\/\/platform.mmamania.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2025\/10\/gettyimages-2243252055.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Quillan Salkilld of Australia knocks out Nasrat Haqparast of Germany in a lightweight fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n
5. Quillan Salkilld vs. Nasrat Haqparast<\/p>\n
This knockout features a tremendous single-shot finish, great story, and excellent performance from a relative unknown.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll confess that I didn\u2019t really remember Salkilld in the lead up to his UFC 321 battle versus the far more established Haqparast. He had won a couple UFC fights already, and I\u2019m confident I watched them at the time, but there\u2019s a lot of random young talents joining the roster nowadays. Most of them return to the regional scene sooner than later, failing to make an impact.<\/p>\n
25-year-old Salkilld is an exception. The Australian avoided the boxing prowess of Haqparast with a steady stream of takedown attempts and powerful kicks, denying him that middle range. Suddenly, he went upstairs with a kick, and it landed with the sound of a baseball bat belting a home run. In fact, he kicked Haqparast so hard he broke his foot<\/a> on the target!<\/p>\n Everyone knows Salkilld now, and a broken foot feels like a small price to pay.<\/p>\n LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 09: (R-L) Elijah Smith knocks out Toshiomi Kazama of Japan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 09, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n 4. Elijah Smith vs. Toshiomi Kazama<\/p>\n Every once in a while, a knockout is so vicious it hurts your stomach.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t believe I cheered when Smith slammed Kazama into oblivion \u2014 it was more of a silent prayer situation. Thankfully, Kazama was alright afterward<\/a>, which means I can laud praise upon Smith\u2019s win rather than try to bury the image deep in my memory.<\/p>\n In Mortal Kombat terms, this was a Flawless Victory. Smith, age 23, is an incredible athlete, remarkably fast and powerful. He ran over Kazama for a round, defending submissions by smashing in his face with ground strikes. Early in the second, Kazama attempted a triangle choke and instantly paid for that decision, suffering the worst slam KO since Quinton Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona.<\/p>\n Nasty, nasty stuff from the blue chip prospect.<\/p>\n CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 16: (L-R) Carlos Prates of Brazil punches Geoff Neal in a welterweight fight during the UFC 319 event at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ed Mulholland\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n 3. Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal<\/p>\n Carlos Prates is a gift to UFC fans.<\/p>\n The Brazilian Nak Muay has consistently brought the violence in every Octagon appearance, and his UFC 319 collision with fellow slugger Neal was no exception. The two Southpaws were ripping low kicks and trading big power shots right away, but Prates found his range midway through the round. Before long, his power punches were landing, and he was making Neal miss without stepping out of the pocket by slipping his head off to the side and hiding behind his lead shoulder.<\/p>\n Prates really turned it up in the final minute, concluding the contest by spinning into a nasty elbow right from the open. The blow slid around Neal\u2019s guard and caught him clean, making Prates the second man to stop \u201cHandz of Steel.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n