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Do first-round knockouts automatically make a UFC event an all-timer?

UFC 332 delivered a fast-paced spectacle with five first-round knockouts among its 14 fights, raising questions about whether such lopsided matchmaking is becoming the norm. Five favorites with odds of 5-1 or greater all secured victories within the opening round, while only one underdog, Roman Kopylov, managed to pull off a win.

The event’s early dominance underscores a broader debate in MMA about how betting odds correlate with actual fight outcomes and whether the UFC’s pairing process is skewing too heavily toward one-sided matchups.

Meanwhile, the pay disparity in the UFC continues to spark frustration among top fighters, with Sean Strickland’s recent public discontent over his contract serving as a fresh example. Many veterans who once celebrated modest UFC paychecks now find themselves questioning the value of their earnings compared to peers in other combat sports, where elite status often translates to significantly higher purses.

The organization’s rigid contract structure leaves fighters with few avenues to negotiate better terms, leaving them in a precarious position where their careers—and financial futures—hang on a single performance.

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