Top 10 UFC Knockouts

The rise of mixed martial arts has seen its flagship organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, gain prominence to the point of being one of the biggest spectator sports in the world today.

Despite updates to the rules and changes in the sport to protect fighters from serious injuries, the dangerous nature of the sport continues to deliver some brutal and devastating knockouts.

While the fighters' memories may be hazy, some knockouts are too hard for the fans to forget.

  1. Chuck Liddell Vs. Randy Couture

    • These two warriors met for the second time at UFC 52. Liddell was out for revenge after Couture had beaten him by TKO during their first meeting. A big overhand right floored Couture before Liddell finished him off on the ground.

    Anderson Silva Vs. Rich Franklin

    • In October 2006 at UFC 64, Anderson Silva showed everyone how dangerous he was was by brutally destroying Franklin with multiple knees to the face, which sent him crashing to the canvas.

    Rich Franklin Vs. Nate Quarry

    • At UFC 56, virtual unknown contender Nate Quarry challenged the undefeated champion Rich Franklin. The fight never got past the first round as Franklin hit Quarry with a ferocious punch and put his lights out only 3 minutes into the fight.

    Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Mirko Crocop

    • UFC 70 in April 2007 was the scene of a major upset as rising star Crocop was unexpectedly bullied from the beginning by Gabriel Gonzaga. As the 2-minute mark of the opening round approached, Gonzaga slammed a high right kick into the side of Crocop's head and left the Croatian crumpled on the canvas.

    Rashad Evans Vs. Chuck Liddell

    • These two met during the main event of UFC 88 in September 2008. As Liddell moved in for a second round onslaught, a vicious overhand right from Evans tore into "The Iceman's" chin and knocked him out cold.

    Gary Goodridge Vs. Paul Herrera

    • One of the quickest and most brutal knockouts in UFC history, the bigger and more powerful Goodridge pulled Herrera to the ground, clamped on "the crucifix" to trap his opponent's arms, then unleashed a barrage of elbows to knock Herrera out after just 14 seconds.

    Dan Henderson Vs. Michael Bisping

    • At UFC 100 in July 2009, a running feud between these two fighters was settled in controversial fashion.

      A huge right hook from Henderson in the second round knocked out Bisping and sent him to the canvas. Henderson followed up with a falling hook to the unconscious Bisping before the referee could stop the fight. Despite the controversy, the knockout punch itself was definitely one of the most memorable in 2009.

    Fedor Emelianenko Vs. Andrei Arlovski

    • As the reigning champion, Fedor was not expected to have much trouble retaining his title against Arlovski. However, at 6 feet 4 inches, Arlovski was more than a handful and his speed and quick fists had Fedor on the back foot for the opening stages. As the champion was backed into a corner and shaken, an upset was in the cards, until the tables suddenly turned. As Arlovski launched himself into the air to attack, a sweet right hook from Fedor connected perfectly and dropped the contender like a ton of bricks.

    Mike Russow Vs. Todd Duffee

    • Todd Duffee had been unbeaten before meeting Russow at UFC 114 and looked to be heading for a points victory after dominating the opening rounds of the fight. However, Russow then caught everyone by surprise--nobody more than Duffee--as a heavy right knocked Duffee out cold and ended the fight in the third round.

    Matt Hughes Vs. Carlos Newton

    • In November 2001, the first televised double knockout in UFC history happened at UFC 34.

      In the second round, Hughes was caught in a triangle choke by Newton and tried to counter it by lifting Hughes, before slamming him back down to break the hold. As they both hit the canvas, the two fighters were out cold. The referee checked Newton, who was out, and gave the fight to Hughes.