In the UFC Flyweight division, Alex Perez leads the pack for most first-round finishes, a statistic that measures wins by knockout or submission in the opening round of a fight. To qualify for this list, a fighter must have at least three UFC fights, a criterion met by 106 out of 138 fighters on record in this weight class. The data groups fighters by their current weight class, ensuring a consistent divisional focus. This metric highlights fighters who demonstrate an ability to end contests decisively and early.
Alex Perez and Alexandre Pantoja: Tied at the Top
Alex Perez and Alexandre Pantoja share the top spot with four first-round finishes each. Perez, with a UFC record of 8-7 across 15 fights, last competed on August 29, 2026, at the age of 35. His ability to secure early stoppages indicates a tendency to start fights aggressively, seeking to capitalize on initial opportunities. Pantoja, who holds a UFC record of 14-5 over 19 fights, last fought on September 19, 2026, at age 37. Pantoja's higher number of overall UFC wins and fights suggests a more extensive career within the promotion, yet he matches Perez's efficiency in securing early finishes. Both fighters have shown a consistent capacity to end bouts before the second round.
The Cluster of Three Finishes
A notable cluster of five fighters follows, each with three first-round finishes. Ben Nguyen, with a UFC record of 4-3 from seven fights, is one such fighter. His last fight was on December 1, 2018, at age 38, indicating a period of inactivity since achieving his three early stoppages. Jafel Filho, who has a UFC record of 3-3 across six fights, last competed on April 25, 2026, at age 34. Filho is currently booked to fight Bruno Silva on December 5, 2026, showing he remains active in the division. Joseph Benavidez, a veteran of the division, also has three first-round finishes. With a UFC record of 15-6 over 21 fights, Benavidez last fought on March 6, 2021, at age 42. His long career and significant number of fights underscore his consistent threat for an early finish during his active years.
Kai Kara-France joins this group with three first-round finishes. His UFC record stands at 8-5 from 13 fights, and he last competed on June 28, 2025, at age 34. Manel Kape also records three first-round finishes. Kape holds a UFC record of 8-3 across 11 fights, last fighting on June 20, 2026, at age 33. He is currently booked to face Joshua Van on January 30, 2027, indicating his continued presence and activity in the division.
Rounding Out the Top Ten
The remainder of the top ten features fighters with two first-round finishes. John Moraga, with a UFC record of 8-6 from 14 fights, last fought on August 25, 2018, at age 43. Dustin Ortiz, who also has two first-round finishes, holds a UFC record of 8-6 from 14 fights and last competed on January 19, 2019, at age 38. Both Moraga and Ortiz represent fighters who were active in the division some years ago, demonstrating an ability to secure early stoppages during their careers.
Rei Tsuruya stands out in this group due to his profile. At age 24, he is the youngest fighter on the leaderboard and has achieved two first-round finishes in just four UFC fights, holding a record of 3-1. His last fight was on August 29, 2026. While his early finishes are notable, it is important to remember that rate statistics derived from a small number of fights can be more susceptible to fluctuation compared to those from longer careers.
Flyweight — most first-round finishes
| Fighter | Round one | UFC fights |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Alex Perez | 4 in round one | 15 fights |
| 2. Alexandre Pantoja | 4 in round one | 19 fights |
| 3. Ben Nguyen | 3 in round one | 7 fights |
| 4. Jafel Filho | 3 in round one | 6 fights |
| 5. Joseph Benavidez | 3 in round one | 21 fights |
| 6. Kai Kara-France | 3 in round one | 13 fights |
| 7. Manel Kape | 3 in round one | 11 fights |
| 8. John Moraga | 2 in round one | 14 fights |
| 9. Rei Tsuruya | 2 in round one | 4 fights |
| 10. Dustin Ortiz | 2 in round one | 14 fights |
Career statistics from UFC Stats; Elo is bjjmetrics' own rating from UFC results. Updated twice a day.
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