MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for July: A come-from-behind masterpiece

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMAjunkie takes a look at the best knockouts from July. Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMAjunkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for July.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.

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The Nominees

Thomas Almeida def. Brad Pickett via flying knee at UFC 189

For three minutes, it looked as though Brad Pickett (24-11 MMA, 4-6 UFC) had Thomas Almeida (20-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) figured out. Then Almeida adjusted – violently. After getting dropped twice in the first round, Almeida launched a flying knee that knocked Pickett out cold. It was a spectacular turnaround for the Brazilian bantamweight Almeida, who retains his undefeated record and now owns three straight UFC wins.

Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez via flying knee at UFC 189

In a raucous display of action, Dennis Bermudez (14-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Jeremy Stephens (24-11 MMA, 11-10 UFC) traded knockdowns and fists until both were bloodied and bruised. At moments, it was unclear exactly who was ahead. But then Stephens made an emphatic statement, catching Bermudez with a flying knee before punching his way to a finish the featherweight slugfest in memorable fashion.

?Stephen Thompson def. Jake Ellenberger via spinning hook kick at TUF 21 Finale

Jake Ellenberger and Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) added another clip to his growing reel of highlight footage, knocking out veteran Jake Ellenberger (30-10 MMA, 9-6 UFC) late in the first round of their welterweight bout. Ellenberger was knocked down twice by a pair of spinning hook kicks from Thompson, whose wrestling also kept him out of danger after a punch knocked him down. The final blow was too much for Ellenberger to withstand and “Wonderboy” walked out with his fifth consecutive victory.

Frank Mir def. Todd Duffee via punch at UFC Fight Night 71

Todd Duffee (9-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) said he respectfully called out former heavyweight champion Frank Mir (18-9 MMA, 16-9 UFC) in hopes of adding a signature career win to his resume. Instead, he gave Mir’s career a much-needed boost – and another addition to his highlight reel. Mir emerged the victor of a wild 73-second slugfest that saw both fighters rocked and both big men unloading violent punches, with Duffee on the losing end and left unconscious and face-first on the mat. Mir picked up the 13th stoppage win of his UFC career, which is tied for second all-time in company history.

Michael Page def. Rudy Bears via punch at Bellator 140

Michael Page and Rudy Bears

British welterweight Michael Page (8-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) was built up big time by Bellator and Spike TV ahead of his fight against Rudy Bears (16-14 MMA, 2-6 BMMA), and he once again lived up to the hype. “MVP” needed just 65 seconds to knock out Bears with a single right hand, adding to his early legend status. Page wiggled his arms, then fired a right hand that drilled Bears in the chin. Bears hit the canvas, and Page had a walk off knockout finish.

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The Winner: Thomas Almeida

Thomas Almeida

Bantamweight prospect Almeida kept his perfect record intact with his second consecutive “Performance of the Night” knockout, this time claiming Pickett as his victim.

Almeida endured a brief scare in the first round when Pickett’s haymakers landed on target and led to a brief knockdown. The Brazilian refused to be put away, though, and rallied in the second to connect with one of the most perfect flying knees that will ever take place in the octagon.

At just 23, Almeida is now 19-0 and has won each fight in a convincing manner. In his UFC debut in November, he went to a decision for the first time, but since then, he’s dismantled the opposition.

The UFC bantamweight division is thin and needs rising stars to create more intrigue. Almeida is undoubtedly the future, and at his current rate of development, it won’t be long before he’s discussed as a contender for the 135-pound belt.