One particular team has been behind some of the most striking and brutal finishes seen in the UFC in recent years.
Mauricio Luffy’s relationship with the Brazilian Fighting Nerds seems to be strained following his latest bouts.
Despite the absence of a standout lightweight star, the group still boasts notable fighters like Gian Silva and Carlos Prates who continue to draw attention.
The Fighting Nerds’ success has attracted a diverse range of athletes from varied backgrounds who are eager to join their ranks and train together.
This year has been significant for Luffy in 2025, as he came close to equaling the record for consecutive first-round finishes ahead of his upcoming fight this weekend.
Vitor Belfort and Anthony Johnson are the only UFC fighters with more first-round finishes than Michal Oleksejuk
Michal Oleksejuk became a part of the Fighting Nerds last year and successfully revitalized his UFC career.
The Polish middleweight endured his toughest year in 2024, suffering three consecutive losses, two of which were submissions.
However, he rebounded last year with spectacular first-round knockouts over Gerard Meerschaert and Cedrique Dumas.
Thanks to an impressive run in 2025, Oleksejuk now holds eight first-round knockouts in the Octagon.
Only the feared strikers Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (9 knockouts) and Vitor Belfort (11 knockouts) have recorded more first-round finishes in UFC history.
Although Oleksejuk’s UFC record stands at 9-7-1, a less-than-stellar number on paper, an impressive 89% of his wins in the promotion have come via knockout, according to statistics tracked by Nate Ratshaw.
Could Michal Oleksejuk tie for second place at UFC Vegas 113?
This Saturday night at Meta Apex, Michal Oleksejuk will take on Marc-Andre Barrio on the main card.
Oleksejuk must secure a knockout victory over his Canadian opponent, who is known for his resilience, to equal Anthony Johnson’s record of nine first-round finishes.
According to Nate Ratshaw’s data, 33% of Barrio’s losses in the UFC have come by way of knockout.
This stat is particularly noteworthy given that two of Barrio’s three knockout losses occurred in consecutive fights during 2024.
“Power Bar” finished 1-1 last year and earned post-fight bonuses in both bouts.
Fan Take: For fight fans, Michal Oleksejuk’s pursuit of another first-round knockout adds thrilling stakes to UFC Vegas 113, showcasing the excitement knockout artists bring to the sport. If he reaches Anthony Johnson’s milestone, it could cement his legacy as one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC history, inspiring future fighters to aim for rapid, spectacular victories.
