Female UFC Fighter Knocks Out Male Sparring Partner

UFC bantamweight Jacqueline Cavalcanti has gone viral after sharing a video of her knocking down her male sparring partner with a brutally well-timed knee, leaving the likes of Conor McGregor and Alex Pereira stunned on social media.

Since making her UFC debut in 2023, the Brazilian-born Portuguese fighter has emerged as a future world championship contender, having risen to 10th in the women’s bantamweight rankings with five wins out of five.

All of her UFC wins have gone the distance, but in a recent video shared online, the 28-year-old showed she has the striking power to finish off her opponents earlier, as was the case against her much larger sparring partner she was seen moving around the cage with.

Jacqueline Cavalcanti Impressed Several UFC Legends With Her Stunning KO

In the video, Cavalcanti throws a quick jab and hook combination, and as her partner attempts a takedown, she lands a devastating knee that leaves the man flat on his back and in a daze. Among the surprised cheers of people in the background, one coach asks Cavalcanti: “Is that real?”

“Real,” Cavalcanti replies, as her sparring partner shakes his head and lifts his hand to regain his bearings.

After sharing the video on her Instagram page, the clip has gained hundreds and thousands of views, as well as the attention of some of the biggest names in MMA.

Under the post, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor commented: “SHOT!”

The Irishman’s fellow dual-weight champion Alex Pereira was also mightily impressed by Cavalcanti’s video, taking to the comments to write: “She knocked him out and nobody says a word.”

Jorge Masvidal, who himself scored the quickest knockout in UFC history in 2019 with an epic flying knee to Ben Askren after just five seconds, commented a clapping emoji on Calvacanti’s post, which he also shared on his own socials.

However, not everyone was convinced. UFC lightweight and former Contender Series contestant Nikolas Motta wrote: “That was a set up.”

To which, Cavalcanti responded: “Come here for me to do it and you, then you say it was arranged to carry a knee pad on your face.” Motta didn’t take up the offer, instead ending the exchange with a few laughing emojis of his own.

Jacqueline Cavalcanti Next Fight

As for what is next for the Portuguese bantamweight, she has her eyes set on multiple fights in 2026, having just defeated

Mayra Bueno Silva, a recent title contender, at UFC Fight Night 264 in November.

After that win, which the bantamweight No.10 said was the biggest of her career, she told the media about her big plans for next year.

“In 2026, I want to fight three or four times,” Cavalcanti said.

“All day, I’m ready. I never stop training. … My next opponent, I want Macy (Chiasson) or Irene Aldana. Irene Aldana, for me, is the best. She’s had a big career, she fought a couple years ago for the belt, she’s very good – I want to fight her.”