With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMAjunkie looks at the best knockouts from October 2018: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMAjunkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for October.

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

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The Nominees

Scott Holtzman def. Alan Patrick at UFC 229

Scott Holtzman (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) extended his UFC winning streak to three fights after using vicious elbows to knock out a game Alan Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the third round of their lightweight matchup.

Patrick was lively from his back in the final frame and looked for options to regain some momentum. Holtzman was able to push his advances aside and work to mount, though, before delivering a flurry of crushing elbow shots that left his Brazilian foe out cold.

Vicente Luque def. Jalin Turner at UFC 229

Vicente Luque (14-6-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) wasted little time taking out a UFC newcomer. He scored a vicious first-round finish of Jalin Turner (7-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in their welterweight clash.

After a Turner spinning elbow seemed to find the mark, Luque instantly countered with a big right hand to the chin that sent his opponent to the canvas. Luque jumped on top and finished the fight in vicious fashion with several massive left hands that left his opponent unconscious on the canvas.

Derrick Lewis def. Alexander Volkov at UFC 229

Derrick Lewis (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) continued his push toward a heavyweight title shot when he defeated fellow contender Alexander Volkov (30-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in the most dramatic of manners.

After getting battered for more than two rounds, Lewis earned his ninth victory in his past 10 fights when he unleashed a massive right hand that landed on Volkov’s chin and changed the course of the fight. “The Black Beast” finished the fight and as a result got a short-notice championship bout with Daniel Cormier.

Mike Kimbel def. Alex Potts at Bellator 207

Mike Kimbel (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) needed just six seconds to score a devastating finish of fellow bantamweight Alex Potts (1-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and put himself in the Bellator record books.

One big shot from Kimbel tied Hector Lombard’s six-second knockout at Bellator 18 and Michele Martignoni’s six-second head-kick knockout at Bellator 203 for the fastest knockout in Bellator history.

Mandel Nallo def. Carrington Banks at Bellator 207

Mandel Nallo (7-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) stayed unbeaten in his career with a perfect knee-strike knockout of Carrington Banks (7-2 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) in the opening seconds of the second round.

In the second frame, Nallo was looking for the kill, and he got it just seven seconds in. He waited for Banks to duck his head and timed a perfect right knee to Banks’ jaw. Banks went down immediately and was out on impact.

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The Winner: Derrick Lewis

For the better part of three rounds, Volkov was cruising to a win – and then Lewis did what he does.

Lewis took the center to start the contest, with Volkov content to stay on the outside and look to use his lengthy frame. A big shot landed clean early on, and Lewis was clearly hurt. He tried to retreat and cover, though Volkov continued to push forward. A few more punches landed clean, and while Lewis repeatedly complained of an eye poke, referee Herb Dean declined do step in.

Eventually, it was Volkov who backed away, and Dean somewhat reluctantly gave Lewis a chance to discuss the alleged infraction. On the restart, Volkov again used a crisp jab to wobble his opponent. He was cautious as he advanced though, with Lewis throwing haymakers on the advance. Lewis tried to shoot inside, but Volkov stuffed it and nearly took the mount. Lewis was able to crawl back to his feet and land a big right hand, but Volkov immediately moved inside and pushed him to the floor.

Working from side control, Volkov tried to hammerfist his downed foe, but Lewis turned to his knees and looked to rise. Volkov happily took the back, though Lewis used a perfect two-on-one to turn inside and take the top. He landed a few big shots from the top, but Volkov wisely used his long guard to hold Lewis back and survive until the bell.

The doctor came in to check Lewis’ eye before the start of the second, but he was cleared to continue. Volkov came forward and again and landed a crisp jab to start, with a big right hand landing clean just behind. Lewis was again wobbled but refused to fall to the floor, finding the energy to launch a few big right hands. Lewis tried to dive at the legs shortly after, but Volkov sniffed it out and then continued to stalk, landing a big shot to the body and a few more crisp jabs.

With Lewis wilting under the pressure, he still refused to go away. Volkov was forced to measure his attacks, with Lewis throwing wide shots with full force. Still, when Volkov threw straight punches down the middle, he continued to have success. Lewis moved laterally on the outside and tried to bait his opponent inside for a big counter, but Volkov didn’t bite. Lewis did land a big left hand, but as he tried to add the right behind it, he was the one that tasted counter leather. A Volkov low kick nearly swept his opponent to the floor, but Lewis remained upright and continued looking for the game-changing strike.

Lewis tried to stay loose in the third, knowing he’d need something special to change the course of the contest. He tried to shoot from range, but Volkov easily brushed him aside and walked away. On the restart, Lewis charged forward with big hooks that missed, and Volkov quickly answered with a flurry of shots that forced Lewis to cover. He grabbed his eye again after another crisp jab and looked ready to cave, but Volkov just couldn’t put him away.

Volkov turned to his kicks in the latter stages of the round, pounding both the legs and body. Lewis was clearly exhausted but tried to find the right opening to attack. However, Volkov had other plans, sticking and moving and avoiding the big haymakers. Lewis’ corner pleaded for him to push forward, but he didn’t have much left in the tank and was forced to wait for Volkov to move too close. It happened with just seconds remaining, as Lewis landed a massive right hand that stunned his foe. Sensing his opportunity, Lewis let it all go, and as the ground-and-pound blows rolled, Volkov’s consciousness succumbed to the powerful punches with just 11 seconds left on the clock.

“I knew that I was down on the scorecards going into the third and I had to just go out swinging and pray to Jesus that I landed something,” Lewis said after the win. “My coaches really helped me and kept me focused throughout the fight.

“(Volkov) is a very tough guy, and I knew it would be hard to put him away, but I was going to give it my all, and it all worked out in the end.”