5 UFC fighters who won a bout with the least number of strikes

#4 - Ilir Latifi vs Cyrille Diabate - UFC Fight Night 37

Ilir Latifi

Heavyweights Ilir Latifi and Cyrille Diabate went head to head on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 37 in 2014. Latifi came into this bout after a full training camp to right the wrongs he made in his UFC debut that handed him a decision loss. Cyrille Diabate, meanwhile, was fighting in his eighth UFC event and was about to announce his retirement from the sport after the fight.

Considerably taller than Ilir Latifi, Cyrille Diabate tried to keep his distance early on as both fighters looked for openings. Latifi eventually charged in from a distance and took down Diabate before quickly trying to lock him in a D’Arce choke. As the 6'6'' Diabate resisted, 'The Sledgehammer' waited patiently in the dominant position before finally going back to a front choke.

Only this time around, Diabate's attempts to slip out failed and Latifi got the execution right, forcing the UFC veteran to tap-out at the 3:02 mark in round one. There were hardly any strikes on display in the fight, with both fighters landing just one strike each.

Latifi and Diabate broke an odd record with no sign. strike landed during the whole fight. Where do you see Latifi? Vs Cummins? #thammahour

— André Lindström (@Skeppaarn) March 10, 2014

Ilir Latifi said after his win:

"I prepared a lot for this fight, and it feels great to get a win that fast."

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#3 - Frank Shamrock vs Kevin Jackson - UFC Ultimate Japan

Frank Shamrock wins the inaugural UFC middleweight championship

Two of the greatest fighters of all time entered the octagon in a star-studded UFC event in Japan in 1997. Frank Shamrock, an established submission specialist, made his UFC debut against Olympic gold medalist Kevin Jackson. The fight, which was tipped to be a thrilling event between two of the greatest fighters ever, lasted only 16 seconds, with a total of three strikes landed.

Kevin Jackson initiated contact in round one as he shot in for a takedown. However, Frank Shamrock put his submission skills to use and held the wrestling gold medalist in an armbar, instantly forcing the Olympian to tap-out. In doing so, Shamrock not only forced one of the fastest submissions in UFC history but also did it by throwing just one strike.

Frank Shamrock vs. Kevin Jackson (Olympic Gold Medalist) pic.twitter.com/McqDymr4eF

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 11, 2020

Shamrock also won the inaugural UFC middleweight championship (later renamed as the light heavyweight champion) in the process.