With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from June 2024: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month award for June.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
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Nominees
Nominee: Shanelle Dyer def. Mariam Torchinava at 2024 PFL Europe 2
Shanelle Dyer (5-0) added a big highlight to her early career resume with a brutal finish of Mariam Torchinava (8-3).
In the first round of their PFL Europe women’s flyweight tournament bout, Dyer landed a picture-perfect right head kick to the jaw of Torchinava, sending her crumbling against the fence and into the mat less than three minutes into the opening round.
Nominee: Brahyan Zurcher def. Julian Ruiz at 2024 PFL 5
Trading in the pocket makes for visually appealing action, largely because of the sense of aggression and danger – as was on full display between Brahyan Zurcher (9-0) and Julian Ruiz (4-1).
A massive left hook from Zurcher snatched consciousness from opponent less than 90 seconds into the second round. Zurcher maintained his perfect professional record as Ruiz lost for the first time.
Nominee: Volkan Oezdemir def. Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 6
The power of Volkan Oezdemir (20-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) was on full display once again as he savagely knocked out Johnny Walker (21-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in the opening round of their light heavyweight bout.
Walker was in semi-survival mode for much of the minute that led up to his demise. Oezdemir landed more throughout the sequence and Walker was unable to reset himself completely. A left-right combination folded Walker like a lawn chair. Already scrambled, Walker then absorbed a massive follow-up shot that stiffened his entire body.
Nominee: Joe Pyfer def. Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303
Joe Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) punched his way back into the win column in brutal fashion at the expense of Marc-Andre Barriault (16-8 MMA, 5-7 UFC).
Pyfer bashed Marc-Andre Barriault with a series of thudding punches that left the Canadian unconscious on the canvas at 1:25 of Round 1 in the middleweight bout.
The winner
The winner: Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303
Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) met Jiri Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) for a short-notice title rematch after the original headliner Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fell apart. Pereira’s legacy as one of the most dangerous knockout artists grew by stopping Prochazka just 13 seconds into Round 2.
After a very lengthy, intense staredown, the hard-hitting light heavyweights went to work. Pereira dropped Prochazka with his signature left hook at the end of the opening round, then connected with as swift left head kick out of the gate of Round 2, immediately putting Prochazka down again. The champ swarmed with follow-up punches, and referee Herb Dean came in to stop the fight.
There was no celebration from Pereira, just a stone-faced walk-off. He even returned to check on Prochazka, but was waved away as his opponent struggled to get his feet under him.
Aside from explaining what “chama” means during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Pereira told the UFC commentator that he would like an opportunity to fight for a third title at heavyweight after winning middleweight and light heavyweight gold.
“I think that’s in my future,” Pereira said through an interpreter. “I said it last time I was here. … I’m here, I’m available, and I do think that’s in my future.”
