If any MMA fan tells you that they didn't start watching the sport because of an incredible knockout or submission they saw, they're probably lying. The UFC has long been the premier mixed martial arts organisation, and over the years has produced some of the greatest finishes ever. Let’s have a look at ten of the most devastating.
10. Shonie Carter - Spinning back fist vs. Matt Serra - UFC 31
A longtime veteran of the sport, Shonie Carter may not be a household name, but his exquisite spinning back fist, the first seen in the organisation at the time, knockout of former UFC Welterweight champ Matt Serra, will certainly be remembered for a long time.
9. Jung Chan-Sung - Twister vs. Leonard Garcia - UFC Fight Night
9. Jung Chan-Sung - Twister vs. Leonard Garcia - UFC Fight Night
Incredibly difficult to pull off, the Twister submission has only been witnessed inside the Octagon once to date. Contorting the body while cranking the neck, this nasty looking maneuver caused Leonard Garcia to tap, knowing that the end of the round was only seconds away.
8. Tito Ortiz - Slam vs. Evan Tanner - UFC 30
Slam knockouts are among the most spectacular knockouts and were frequently used in the early days of the sport. Using the technique to separate the late Evan Tanner from his senses, Tito Ortiz proved that he was indeed the face of the newly rebranded UFC back in 2001.
7. Rich Franklin - Punch vs. Nate Quarry - UFC 56
Very rarely does a single punch end a fight, but when it does, it’s usually one of the most violent finishes of the night. Defending his Middleweight belt against TUF alumni Nate Quarry, Rich Franklin was dominating the fight before capping off a fine performance with this devastating shot.
6. Frank Mir - Kimura vs. Minotauro Nogueira - UFC 140
Prior to this fight “Big Nog” Nogueira had never been submitted, but Frank Mir changed all that in their violent second encounter in 2011. Recovering from a combo from the Brazilian, Mir managed to take Nogueira’s back, soon sinking a Kimura which sickeningly snapped his opponent’s arm, forcing the tap.
5. Lyoto Machida - Crane kick vs. Randy Couture - UFC 129
Randy Couture’s legendary MMA career came to an end thanks to a moment of ninja-esque brilliance. Long believed to be an ineffective form of fighting, Lyoto Machida changed the perceptions of nearly 55,000 attending fans when he finished his veteran opponent with this karate kick, never before seen inside the Octagon.
4. Dan Henderson - Punch vs. Michael Bisping - UFC 100
Despite his background as an Olympic calibre wrestler, Dan Henderson is more famous these days for a series of highlight reel “H-Bomb” knockouts. This savage right hand has finished the likes of legendary fighters Fedor Emelianenko and Wanderlei Silva, but by far his most famous knockout is the merciless finish of the British trash talking maestro, Michael Bisping.
3. Edson Barboza - Wheel kick vs. Terry Etim - UFC 142
Another maneuver never successfully pulled off prior to this bout. Brazilian striking specialist Edson Barboza etched his name into UFC folklore with this stunning wheel kick knockout. The sight of poor Terry Etim’s body stiffening to better resemble a statute is testament to the devastating nature of this move.
2. Gabriel Gonzaga - Leg kick vs. Mirko Cro Cop - UFC 70
"Right leg, hospital; Left leg,cemetery" was the motto of former Pride superstar Mirko Cro Cop, feared for his devastating head kick knockouts. Most predicted an easy win over Gabriel Gonzaga in 2007, but the Brazilian shocked the MMA world by not only finishing Cro Cop...but doing it with his opponent’s very own signature move.
1. Anderson Silva - Front kick vs. Vitor Belfort - UFC 126
An anticipated title match between two of Brazil’s greatest fighters, Anderson Silva defended his Middleweight title against a resurgent Vitor Belfort in 2010. Weathering an early flurry, Silva soon landed what has become one of the most watched MMA finishes of all time. An impeccably timed and placed front kick connected directly with Belfort’s chin, flooring the fighter instantly. With this move, Anderson Silva became the first man to finish Belfort with strikes, not only defending his title, but likely scaring away a horde of potential challengers at the same time.
What is your favourite fight finish? Leave your suggestions below!