Mixed martial arts can be a pretty grizzly affair with the overload of blood, violence, and all the other good stuff. After all, the human body was not made to withstand the kind of punishment MMA fighters put themselves through on a daily basis with their training and a few times a year with the actual fights themselves.
But, sometimes we can appreciate the lighter side of the sport despite the gruesome circumstances under which this hilarity occurs.
A prime example of this would be knockouts. Sure, it's equal parts exciting and terrifying to see someone getting wrecked to the point where they are unable to even stand up but there is also the lighter side that I just mentioned.
In this case, it is the ludicrous expressions that appear on the faces of fighters whose lights have just been turned off with a powerful strike. That perfect picture taken at the right moment can give us an image that lasts a lifetime.
So, without further ado, here are the 5 funniest faces of MMA fighters getting knocked out:
#5 Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell made a name for himself as one of the most fearsome warriors the world of MMA had ever seen. One of the earliest people to help the Sport gain popularity, The Iceman remains a beloved fighter to this day.
That doesn't mean that great fighters can't have bad days, though.
Also read: 5 Times we loved watching fighters getting knocked out cold
When he went up against Rich Franklin at UFC 115, Liddell found himself on the receiving end of some pretty heavy striking. Towards the end of the first round, Franklin caught Liddell with a punch that slept The Iceman.
A legend he might be, but it doesn't stop the fact that his face looks hilarious at the end of this fight.
#4 Stephen Thompson
Okay, this one is cheating but this is my list, so sue me.
When Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley went head to head for the UFC Welterweight title at UFC 205, there was an air of palpable excitement about the encounter. Both Wonderboy and The Chosen One stepped up to the mark to put on an incredible fight which ended in a majority draw, allowing Woodley to retain his title.
What gets lost in the shuffle of great moments from this fight, though, is Wonderboy's face when Woodley catches him flush in the fourth round. Thompson would show incredible resilience and grit to stay alive and even finish the round from a top position but it doesn't take away from the amusement that this picture brings.
For all of Woodley's tough talk, he is one hell of a power hitter and you can see the truth of that statement in Wonderboy's eyes when he gets rocked by Tyron's big shot.
#3 Ronda Rousey
The anticipation for UFC final event of 2016 was off the charts as it marked the return of Ronda Rousey after a year away from the octagon following her shocking loss to Holly Holm in 2015.
What everyone seemed to forget in the build up to this fight was the fact that she was up against the reigning UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and all-around badass, Amanda Nunes.
What followed was an absolute beatdown as Nunes dismantled Rowdy in just 48 seconds. Rousey seemed to crumple as soon as she took the first hit from Nunes and from there it was a quick road to victory.
Hell, a lot of people might even argue that the fight was allowed to go on for much longer than necessary.
The defining image from this pay-per-view is of Rousey closing her eyes as Nunes smashes her face in. The picture is of absolute hilarity to everyone who was sick of Rousey's status as the Golden Girl of the UFC.
#2 Jose Aldo
The conquest that made Conor McGregor who he is today. After a year's worth of taunting and prodding Jose Aldo, McGregor finally stepped into the octagon with the Featherweight king and made short work of the Brazilian. It was a 13-second job to be precise.
Aldo was the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion and hadn't been defeated for 10 years before his run in with McGregor. The more McGregor taunted him, the more Aldo let his anger take hold of his strategy leading to his eventual demolition at the hands of The Notorious One.
The worst part about this for Aldo was that he has never seemed like the same man since his defeat to the Irishman and this hilarious picture of Aldo's face just after McGregor's fist connected has definitely played its part in never letting him forget it.
#1 Rashad Evans
For our winning entry. we go all the way back to UFC 98 where Rashad Evans got laid out by Lyoto Machida. I really don't have much to say about this one. Seriously, just look at his face!
It is no surprise that in all the years since UFC 98 we have never seen a funnier knockout face. Fair play to you, Rashad. You are the undisputed king of hilarious knockout faces.
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