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The wonderful sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is often lauded by its proponents for bringing fans a unique blend of combat sports, which arguably is the closest you can get to a "real fight" in a sports setting. Considering that, it's rather unsurprising that most MMA fans enjoy the myriad of aspects which characterize this sport.
Regardless, it'd be a huge mistake if we overlook the fact that most casual viewers of the sport, generally tune in to UFC events simply to watch the exhilarating Knockouts that are commonplace in most events held by the world's premier MMA promotion.
Let's face it, the thrill of the KO, and the agony which the losing fighter goes through, are truly touching. A Knockout in the UFC is somewhat like that perfect ending to an action movie -- violent, yet strangely satisfying.
Today, we take a special look back at some of the best UFC Knockouts...
#5 Stipe Miocic vs. Fabricio Werdum
Stipe Miocic traveled to Fabricio Werdum's native Brazil, in order to challenge the latter for his UFC Heavyweight Championship, at UFC 198 back in 2016. Miocic had been known for his excellent boxing heading into the matchup, but with Werdum's Muay Thai striking always on point, the challenger seemed to be facing an uphill task in enemy territory.
The fight started off with both fighters staying at long range, and exchanging kicks. However, it wasn't long before Werdum began recklessly chasing Miocic near the fence -- as the latter backpedaled swiftly.
The end to this fight came in the very first round, when Werdum continued plodding forward rather predictably, and moved in a straight line right into boxing range. Miocic timed Werdum, stepped to the right, and dinged the Brazilian legend with one of the sweetest short right hands you'll ever see in MMA!
A few unnecessary ground strikes later, the fight was called off, and Miocic was the new UFC Heavyweight Champion. Werdum was out cold, and the entire arena which was previously bustling with Brazilian fans, witnessed pin drop silence take over the strange night at UFC 198...
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#4 Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson
Mark Hunt is a legend in Japan, courtesy his lengthy stints in K-1 and Pride FC back in the day. "Hunto" returned to Saitama, Japan, this time around with the UFC -- back in 2014, when Hunt was matched up against fellow iron-chinned KO artist Roy Nelson.
This fight was undeniably paramount in order to propel Hunt towards the eventual Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship opportunity, which he received later the same year against Fabricio Werdum.
In other words, Hunt vs. Nelson was a highly significant clash in the UFC Heavyweight division at the time. The fight started with both combatants gauging the distance with their respective jabs.
Hunt appeared to be getting the better of the exchanges, especially with a few stinging jabs, as he really appeared to be stepping into said jabs. Nevertheless, the fight reached a crescendo in Round 2, when Hunt trapped Nelson against the fence, and timed the latter's ducking, bobbing and weaving movement -- landing a monstrous right uppercut on Nelson's chin and securing yet another walk-off KO...
#3 Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort
At UFC 126 back in 2011, Anderson "The Spider" Silva defended his UFC Middleweight Championship against arch-rival Vitor Belfort. There was a considerable amount of hype surrounding the fight, as the duo of Brazilian megastars prepared to do battle with one another.
Heading into the fight, it was no secret that both Silva and Belfort were excellent strikers who planned on settling their differences in an all-out stand-up war... and once that Octagon door slammed shut, that's exactly how things unfolded! Silva came out firing on all cylinders, and seemingly flummoxed Belfort with his slick footwork.
A very important thing we ought to note over here is that Silva repeatedly looked downwards at Belfort's lower body, as though that's the area he planned on throwing kicks at. However, this turned out to be a ruse on part of Silva, as he faked a low kick, and went with a front kick that landed right on Belfort's jaw.
Silva dropped Belfort with the kick, and a few follow-up punches later, the fight was called off, as "The Spider" walked away from UFC 126 as the victor by way of KO...
#2 Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2
Alright, this one may be a tad controversial, but hear me out regardless. Even after Jon Jones tested positive for banned PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) after having knocked out arch nemesis Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 back in 2017, the MMA community still couldn't quite shake off the chain of events which had led to the KO.
If we are to look at it from a purely technical perspective, and disregard the drug test failure; it's quite obvious (yes, I know that hindsight is 20/20!) that Jones cunningly set up that head-kick right from the beginning of their fight.
In Round 3 of what was till then a violent chess match, Jones faked a body kick, only to go high and tag Cormier to the head! From there onward, Jones stalked a badly rocked "DC" -- getting the latter to the ground, and pounding him into oblivion with utterly savage elbows for the KO win...
#1 Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey
At one point in time, Ronda Rousey was the most-talked-about celebrity in the world of sports and entertainment. That was back in 2015, when Rousey had seemingly run through most of her competition, and was scheduled to defend her UFC Women's Bantamweight Title against a former professional boxer-turned-MMA fighter Holly Holm.
Rousey was everywhere -- on news channels, at movie premieres, magazine covers, mainstream talk shows, et cetera. Eventually, UFC 193 beckoned, and the Octagon door closed with Rousey and Holm ready to exchange leather for the title.
Well, who could've possibly imagined at the time that UFC 193 will go down in MMA history as a night of the biggest upset in WMMA! Holm defended well against Rousey in the clinch, and even managed to secure a takedown on "The Rowdy One".
Moreover, after having boxed up Rousey in Round 1, Holm continued doing so in Round 2 -- before hitting Rousey with one of the most brutal head-kicks of all time. Holm followed up with a few ground strikes, and that was all she wrote!
Rousey was beaten by way of KO, and Holm was the new UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. An iconic moment, which had come to fruition with great game-planning and a memorable KO.
Which other UFC Knockouts do you feel deserve to be revisited? Sound off in the comments!
