The Best Finishers in the UFC Ranked for 2026

You either finish fights or you leave it to the judges. Finishers don't care about scorecards. They end shit early through knockouts, submissions, or straight-up violence that forces stoppages. No debate, no close rounds, no split decisions. Just your hand raised and your opponent wondering what happened.

Smart money waits for the finish opportunity, hammers the live line, and cashes when the stoppage comes. Check who actually finishes fights versus who just wins decisions. That finish rate tells you everything.

The Top 10 Finishers Right Now

1. Charles Oliveira (Lightweight #2)

Do Bronx holds the UFC record with 21 finishes. Twenty-one. His 36-11 record features an 88.6% finish rate (31 of 35 wins via finish). Most dangerous offensive fighter in UFC history. Seventeen submissions (most ever), 10 knockouts. His arsenal includes rear-naked chokes (8+), guillotines (4+), triangles, arm-triangles, anacondas, calf slicers, D'Arce chokes, kimuras. Basically every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique exists in his game. Left hook knockout of Michael Chandler won him the lightweight championship and broke Donald Cerrone's finish record. 

Seven consecutive finishes from 2018-2021. Attacks submissions during chaos when opponents can't defend systematically. Unlike specialists hunting specific positions, Oliveira finds finishes during scrambles, knockdowns, standing clinch breaks. At 36, his finishing rate shows zero decline. Understanding how submission threats change betting shows why Oliveira creates value.

Shurzy Tip: Oliveira has 21 Fight Night bonuses (tied for most ever). That's not luck. That's finishing fights when money's on the line.

2. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)

The Black Beast holds the UFC knockout record with 15 knockouts. His 29-12 record features 24 career knockouts (82.8% of wins via KO/TKO). Walkoff knockout specialist. One-punch power ends fights instantly. Recent 35-second destruction of Glover Teixeira (July 2025) proved it. Every exchange carries finishing threat despite technical limitations. At 40, his finishing power remains his path to heavyweight title contention.

3. Jim Miller (Lightweight Veteran)

Forty-one years old with 27 UFC wins (most all-time) and 19 finishes (second-most behind Oliveira). His 37-18 record spans 46 UFC fights (most appearances in history). Twelve submissions (second-most), 47 submission attempts (most ever). Finished Charles Oliveira earlier in Oliveira's career. At 41 across nearly two decades, his consistency proves technique supplements athleticism.

4. Anderson Silva (Retired Middleweight Legend)

The Spider compiled 16 UFC finishes with 80% finish rate. Eleven UFC knockouts including seven in title fights (UFC record until maybe Pereira ties it). Eight-fight finish streak (second-longest in history behind Royce Gracie). Front kick knockout of Belfort, Muay Thai clinch knees destroying Rich Franklin twice, triangle-armbar submissions, precision counter-strikes. Finished from any range: striking, clinch, ground. At 50 and retired, his finishing mastery established him as the greatest middleweight ever.

5. Donald Cerrone (Retired)

Cowboy holds 16 UFC finishes across 38 fights. Combined 20 finishes in UFC/WEC (68.9% finish rate). Head kick knockouts, submissions, body shot TKOs. Complete finishing arsenal. UFC's most active fighter produced exciting finishes across lightweight and welterweight despite never capturing gold.

6. Matt Brown (Welterweight, Semi-Retired)

Tied with Cerrone at 16 UFC finishes. Thirteen UFC knockouts (tied for second until Lewis extended record). Knockout of Stephen Thompson, finishes of Diego Sanchez showcase finishing elite competition at 170 pounds.

7. Vicente Luque (Welterweight)

Tied at 16 UFC finishes. The Silent Assassin brings D'Arce choke specialization plus knockout power. Varied finishing methods make him dangerous from all positions. At 33, recent struggles suggest age diminishing his opportunities.

8. Max Holloway (Featherweight #1)

Holds 14 UFC finishes despite being known for volume striking. Knockout of Justin Gaethje (final-second right hand at UFC 300) and systematic TKOs through accumulating damage demonstrate finishing when opportunities emerge. His 27-8 record includes finishing elite competition through both accumulation and single strikes.

9. Dustin Poirier (Lightweight #2)

Possesses 14 UFC finishes combining knockout power with submission threats. The Diamond's 30-9 record features guillotine chokes and devastating boxing combinations. Finish of Conor McGregor II (doctor stoppage via leg kicks) and Eddie Alvarez TKO showcase diverse methods.

10. Ilia Topuria (Lightweight Champion)

Undefeated 17-0 with approximately 88% finish rate (15 of 17 wins). Knockout of Holloway and submission threats create complete finishing game. At 28, could he surpass Oliveira's record if his career continues this pace?

Others Worth Watching:

• Glover Teixeira (retired): 14 UFC finishes including submissions over Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith
• Khamzat Chimaev: Approximately 90% finish rate (12 finishes of 13 wins)
• Demian Maia (retired): 11 UFC submissions (rear-naked choke master)

Shurzy Tip: Oliveira's 17 UFC submissions is a record that might never get broken. Submission game that dangerous doesn't come around often.

Why Finishers Win You Money

Finishers create betting opportunities casual fans miss. When fights go past round one and the finishing specialist starts finding openings, live odds shift massively. Understanding how to spot finishing opportunities separates smart bets from gambling.

Here's how to capitalize:

• Bet finishers in method of victory props. When a fighter has 80%+ finish rate, the KO/submission prop often has better value than straight moneyline.
• Live bet when finishing opportunities appear. Round two onwards, watch for the finisher starting to land. Odds haven't adjusted yet.
• Under on total rounds with elite finishers. When both fighters have high finish rates, under 2.5 rounds often hits.
• Avoid decision props with finishers. Oliveira's 88.6% finish rate means betting "goes to decision" is burning money.

Check method of victory betting strategies for deeper analysis.

Shurzy Tip: Lewis has 15 UFC knockouts. When he fights, the under on total rounds is basically free money unless he faces another elite finisher.

Finish Rate Versus Finish Methods

High finish rates matter but diverse finishing methods create more opportunities.

Complete Finishers (KOs + Submissions):

• Charles Oliveira: 10 KOs, 22 submissions (most diverse)
• Anderson Silva: 11 KOs, varied submissions
• Dustin Poirier: Guillotines and boxing knockouts

Knockout Specialists:

• Derrick Lewis: 15 UFC KOs (record)
• Matt Brown: 13 UFC KOs at welterweight
• Ilia Topuria: Multiple spectacular knockouts

Submission Specialists:

• Charles Oliveira: 17 UFC submissions (record)
• Jim Miller: 12 UFC submissions
• Demian Maia: 11 UFC submissions

Diverse finishers (Oliveira) force opponents defending multiple threats simultaneously. One-method specialists (Lewis with knockouts, Maia with chokes) become predictable but remain dangerous when fights enter their preferred range. When analyzing finishing patterns, versatility creates more betting value.

Shurzy Tip: Fighters with 90%+ finish rates (Oliveira 88.6%, Chimaev 90%, Topuria 88%) rarely see judges. Bet method of victory props, not decisions.

Common Finisher Betting Mistakes

Stop doing these:

• Betting decision props with elite finishers. Oliveira finishes 88.6% of his wins. Why would you bet him to go to decision?
• Ignoring opponent's durability. Some fighters have never been finished (check their record). Finishers face tougher paths against proven chins.
• Overvaluing one-method finishers. Knockout specialists struggle when opponents survive early power. Submission specialists fail against elite defensive grapplers.
• Forgetting finishing ability declines with age. Lewis at 40 still has power, but speed and setup ability fade. Check recent finishes, not career stats.
• Missing live betting opportunities. When finishers start landing in round two, live odds shift hard. That's your window.

2026 Critical Storylines

Can Oliveira Extend His Record? At 36 with 21 UFC finishes, how many more can Do Bronx add? His rematch with Holloway at UFC 326 (March 2026) is a clash: Oliveira's finishing threats versus Holloway's volume durability. Understanding championship fight dynamics shows Oliveira's finishing creates unique betting value.

Topuria's Finishing Trajectory Undefeated 17-0 with 88% finish rate. Knockout of Holloway, submission threats create complete finishing game. Can he surpass Oliveira's record if his career continues this pace? At 28, he has time.

Lewis's Knockout Record At 40 with 15 UFC knockouts, Lewis's upcoming fight against Jailton Almeida (January 24, 2026) could produce knockout #16. How many more can The Black Beast accumulate before retirement? When checking heavyweight finishing trends, power lasts longer than speed.

Declining Finish Rates Modern UFC sees decreasing finish rates as defensive skills improve. Early UFC (1993-2000) featured 60%+ finish rates. Current era approaches 50%. Will elite finishers like Oliveira represent the last generation with 90%+ finish rates, or will new techniques create finishing opportunities?

Finishers end fights decisively through knockouts, submissions, or stoppages. No judges, no scorecards, no debate. Just finishes. Elite finishers like Oliveira (21 UFC finishes, 88.6% rate), Lewis (15 knockouts), and Silva (80% finish rate) create betting value through method of victory props and live betting opportunities. 

Know who actually finishes versus who just wins decisions, know which finishing methods work against which opponents, know when live odds create value as finishing opportunities appear. That's how you stop gambling and start cashing. Too lazy to check finish rates? Perfect, we already did it. F*ck spreadsheets, just know who ends fights early.

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