With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from March 2026: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month award for March.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
Nominee: Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson at UFC 326
Drew Dober added to his record for most lightweight knockouts in UFC history when he floored fellow longtime veteran Michael Johnson.
Dober (29-15 MMA, 15-11 UFC) landed clean with a straight left hand that put the lights out on Johnson (24-20 MMA, 16-16 UFC), then followed with one more for good measure to close the show.
Nominee: Manoel Sousa def. Bolaji Oki at UFC Fight Night 269
Manoel Sousa had a UFC debut to remember that ended with him being the first to knock out Bolaji Oki.
On paper, the lightweight bout looked like it had potential for high action. The pair delivered, with Sousa (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Oki (10-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) trading heavy shots and going for the finish for more than 14 minutes. With the final minute ticking down, Sousa unloaded a massive punch that floored Oki and put him out cold.
Nominee: Costello van Steenis def. Fabian Edwards at PFL Madrid
In the end, it probably wasn’t the best idea for Fabian Edwards to wrestle Costello van Steenis in their PFL middleweight title bout.
Van Steenis (18-3) defended his title for the first time when he put Edwards (13-4) out cold with short elbows. The elbows came during Edwards final – and fatal – takedown attempt. Although many expected him to take the fight to the canvas, van Steenis kept things standing, including the vicious elbows that led to the retention of his title.
Nominee: Victor Hugo def. Mitsuhiro Toma at PnD Black Cup
Victor Hugo showed why he was on the UFC level not long ago with a devastating knockout of Mitsuhiro Toma in their featherweight bout.
Hugo (26-7) dropping his opponent with a knee at the opening bell before pouncing with punches. Toma (15-13-2) tried to get up against the fence, but that allowed Hugo to break free and land a flush kick to the noggin.
The winner: Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber at UFC Fight Night 271
Former women’s flyweight champ Alexa Grasso shared the octagon with Maycee Barber for a rematch from their first meeting in 2021. Grasso took the first meeting on the scorecards, but this time around, she would end things with a violent knockout sequence at 2:42.
Barber (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) appeared comfortable on the feet early in the initial striking exchanges. Grasso (17-5-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) was sharper to the punch as she put together speedy combinations. Then, out of nowhere, a laser of a left hand connected with Barber’s jaw, spinning her to the canvas. Grasso instantly hopped on a rear-naked choke to secure the victory, but Barber was already out from the punch.
Barber was laid out on the canvas for an extended period while Grasso kneeled next to her, showing incredible sportsmanship after one of the most violent finishing sequences in recent memory.
Grasso has now won both bouts against Barber, yet this one marked a return to the win column for the former champ after a three-fight stretch without a victory. For Barber, her seven-fight winning streak comes to an end at the hands of the woman who defeated her before going on a stellar run.
