The fans have just witnessed one of the most bizarre pay-per-views of all time at UFC 294. Except for the co-main event, every other fight in the main card was over in the first round. The total in-cage duration of the UFC 294 main card was just 24 minutes and 39 seconds, which is less than Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 1.
In the opening fight, Said Nurmagomedov won via guillotine choke in one of the quickest submission victories of all time at 1 minute, 13 seconds. This was followed by a quick TKO win for Ikram Aliskerov against Warlley Alves. After this, there was a bizarre doctor stoppage in the match between Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev due to an illegal knee from Ankalaev.
Total in-cage duration of the UFC 294 main card: 24:39
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 21, 2023
Furthermore, the main event ended with a shocker when Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski via head kick at 3 minutes and 6 seconds. This was the first time Volk finished in the UFC.
The UFC 294 card is getting mixed reviews. While some MMA fans are happy with the number of finishes, others are disappointed because of multiple fouls and stoppages.
Which are the five shortest UFC pay-per-views?
UFC 146– This event took place on May 26, 2012, and featured a bout between Frank Mir and Junior Dos Santos in the main event. Furthermore, all the matches ended via KO/TKO or submission, leaving a total in-cage duration of 21 minutes and 1 second.
UFC 55- Also known as Fury, this event featured a match between Andre Arlovski and Paul Buentello for the UFC heavyweight championship. All five of the matches in the main card ended via KO/TKO or submission. This card also featured familiar faces like Forrest Griffin, Joe Riggs, and Chael Sonnen. Furthermore, the total in-cage duration was 21 minutes and 19 seconds.
Oct7.2005
Forrest Griffin earns his first knockout victory in the Octagon,
when he finishes Elvis Sinosic at UFC 55 pic.twitter.com/w0Nn95lrDi
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) October 8, 2019
UFC 261- This pay-per-view was filled with some memorable knockouts. In the main event, Kamaru Usman knocked Jorge Masvidal out cold with a huge punch. Furthermore, in the co-main event, Rose Namajunas knocked out the women’s strawweight champion, Zhang Weili via head kick. The total in-cage duration for this pay-per-view was 20 minutes and 56 seconds.
UFC 91- The event which featured Brock Lesnar winning the UFC heavyweight championship. Furthermore, he defeated one of the best heavyweights of all time, Randy Couture via TKO. Furthermore, the card featured two TKOs and three submission finishes with no fight going the distance. The total in-cage duration for this event was just 19 minutes and 23 seconds.
#OnThisDay in UFC history – Brock Lesnar captures UFC gold in only his FOURTH professional fight at UFC 91! pic.twitter.com/qbHQcAeu5w
— UFC (@ufc) November 15, 2018
UFC 29- This is the shortest pay-per-view in the history of the UFC. The event was headlined by Tito Ortiz vs. Yuki Konda for the UFC light-heavyweight title. UFC 29 featured four, 1st round finishes and one 2nd finish making it the shortest PPV with a total in-cage duration of 17 minutes and 5 seconds.