Charles Oliveira holds the record for the most finishes in UFC history with 20, followed by Jim Miller with 19 and Donald Cerrone with 16. The list highlights distinct patterns between knockout and submission victories across top fighters.
A finish in MMA refers to winning a fight via knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or submission, meaning the fight does not go to the judges' decision. High finish counts often signal a fighter's ability to dominate and decisively end bouts.
The UFC rankings for most finishes reveal important insights into the fighting styles and career achievements of top athletes. Charles Oliveira from Brazil leads the all-time list with 20 finishes, including an outstanding 16 submission wins, underscoring his dominance on the ground with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jim Miller of the USA ranks second with 19 finishes, composed of 13 submissions and 6 knockouts, showing his strong grappling base. Donald Cerrone, another American veteran, is third with 16 finishes, including 10 by knockout and 6 by submission, reflecting his versatile striking and submission game.
Derrick Lewis and Matt Brown are tied at fourth place with 15 finishes each. Lewis stands out with all 15 wins by knockout, highlighting his status as one of the most powerful strikers in UFC history. Brown, on the other hand, has 13 knockouts and 2 submissions, also leaning heavily towards striking. Dustin Poirier and Anderson Silva both have 14 finishes, ranking sixth. Poirier's 10 knockouts and 4 submissions point to his aggressive and technical style, while Silva's 11 knockouts and 3 submissions cement his reputation as one of MMA’s most dangerous strikers.
The top ranks also include well-known names like Vicente Luque, Vitor Belfort, Frank Mir, Jon Jones, Nate Diaz, Demian Maia, and Joe Lauzon. Notably, Jon Jones has an even split with 6 knockouts and 6 submissions, while Nate Diaz’s 10 submission wins highlight his ground expertise. Female fighters such as Amanda Nunes and Gillian Robertson also make the list with 10 finishes each, demonstrating that high finish rates extend across both men’s and women’s divisions.
International representation is evident, with athletes from Brazil, the USA, Russia, Ecuador, Belarus, the Netherlands, Canada, and more. Fighters like Islam Makhachev and Andrei Arlovski contribute to the diversity, with unique fighting styles and backgrounds. The data shows clear patterns: Brazilian fighters generally excel in submissions, reflecting their grappling heritage, while American fighters often favor knockouts, showing the diversity of striking talent in the UFC.
Overall, the finish record is more than a statistic—it represents fighters' ability to end fights decisively, entertain fans, and secure their legacies. These top finishers have shaped UFC history with performances that continue to be remembered in highlight reels and records.
Rank | Name | Indicator | Subindicator |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 20 | KO/TKO - 4 |
2 | ![]() | 19 | KO/TKO - 6 |
3 | ![]() | 16 | KO/TKO - 10 |
4 | ![]() | 15 | KO/TKO - 15 |
4 | ![]() | 15 | KO/TKO - 13 |
6 | ![]() | 14 | KO/TKO - 10 |
6 | ![]() | 14 | KO/TKO - 11 |
8 | ![]() | 13 | KO/TKO - 7 |
8 | ![]() | 13 | KO/TKO - 11 |
8 | ![]() | 13 | KO/TKO - 5 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 6 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 1 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 10 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 5 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 2 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 1 |
11 | ![]() | 12 | KO/TKO - 5 |
18 | ![]() | 11 | KO/TKO - 3 |
18 | ![]() | 11 | KO/TKO - 5 |
18 | ![]() | 11 | KO/TKO - 7 |