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There's nothing UFC fans love more than witnessing bone-chilling knockouts inside the octagon. While MMA is much more than two fighters with heavy hands swinging wildly at each other, fans do love to see those who can change a contest with just one good strike. Fighters with the famed 'touch of death' on their limbs are also known as knockout artists.
There are various aspects of the sport that intrigue fans, but over the years, we have seen that nothing pumps their adrenaline as much as knockouts. They are brutal and often painful to watch for some. Fans tune in to see fighters putting their opponents to sleep with one devastating strike.
Athletes who can finish fights with one single strike don't come by very often. But when they do, it's hard not to take notice. An appropriate example would be former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.
The Irishman is a legendary trash-talker and his skills on the microphone contributed to his massive popularity. But fans and promoters have placed him on a pedestal thanks to his incredible ability to finish fights via KO. 19 out of his 22 wins inside the cage have come via knockout.
Over the years, we have seen some heavy-handed gladiators step inside the octagon. In this article, we look at some of the greatest knockout artists in the UFC who are now retired.
#5. Mirko Cro Cop (UFC heavyweight)
Mirko Cro Cop is one of the purest brawlers in UFC history. His gung-ho style of fighting was highly entertaining to watch. Cro Cop's name became synonymous with KOs. He has picked up 30 knockout victories over the course of his career.
The Croatian's signature move was a left roundhouse kick to the head. He'd disguise the head kicks with straight left punches. Cro Cop knocked out four opponents via head kick. While he isn't likely to enter the octagon again, Mirko Cro Cop will always be cherished as one of the greatest UFC knockout artists of all time.
#4. Mark Hunt (UFC heavyweight)
UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt is known as the 'King of Walk-Off KOs.' His tendency to walk off after knocking opponents down became renowned in the MMA world. Hunt became one of the most feared fighters in the heavyweight division because of his ability to end fights with just one clean shot.
Out of the 13 wins in Mark Hunt's professional MMA career, 10 have come via knockouts. He has finished some of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC heavyweight division, including Derrick Lewis, Frank Mir and Roy Nelson.
Hunt last entered the cage in 2018 against Justin Willis. It is unlikely that fans will see him in action in the future. Regardless, he has produced octagon moments that will last for a lifetime.
#3. Cain Velasquez (UFC heavyweight)
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez struck terror in the hearts of his opponents inside the octagon. His relentless pressure and ability to constantly keep moving forward while landing powerful strikes is unparalleled. He would often land a flurry of devastating strikes, including straight right, hooks, uppercuts and head kicks while walking his opponents down.
He is also known as 'Cardio Cain' due to his incredible stamina. His gas tank allows him to fight aggressively, even in the later rounds.
Cain has the second-most knockout wins in UFC heavyweight history and holds the record for most total strikes landed in the division. 12 out of the 14 wins in his career came via TKO. Although he is known as a wrestler, Velasquez finished most fights with his fists.
#2. Roy Nelson (UFC heavyweight)
Roy Nelson's record in the UFC isn't very flattering. But the legitimacy of his knockout artistry inside the octagon has shone throughout his career. Nelson doesn't look like a man who could put some of the most dangerous fighters on the planet to sleep with just one punch. But looks can be deceptive. When he landed clean, Nelson's opponents never got back up.
Nelson has seven wins and, incredibly, every single one of them came by way of knockout. His one-punch KO of legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2016 will be remembered as one of the most devastating strikes in MMA history.
#1. Chuck Liddell (UFC light heavyweight)
Chuck Liddell is arguably the greatest knockout artist in history. 'The Iceman' had unbelievable firepower in both hands and could put opponents to sleep at any moment in a fight. Over the years, Liddell has provided fans with some of the most electrifying moments in the promotion.
Liddell has brutally knocked out legendary fighters like Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz and Kevin Randleman. He holds the record for most knockout victories in the light heavyweight division. Liddell performed best under the brightest lights. He has knockout victories in five title fights, proof that Liddell was at his most violent in high-pressure situations.
While we may have moved on to the era of Anderson Silva and, more recently, Conor McGregor, Chuck Liddell will never be forgotten as one of the most explosive strikers of all time.
