10 Best Knockouts In UFC

The 10 best knockouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) are brutal and devastating, the defeated opponent unable to comprehend the stunning finality of the outcome. For sports fans, there is little that rivals the adrenaline rush and wish-fulfillment of watching two gladiators go to battle with the sole intent of bashing each other until one of them goes down under a barrage of blows, kicks and slams, which is why the UFC has overtaken boxing as the sport to watch for the best knockouts.

1. Houston Alexander v. James Irvin. This April 2008 fight between two hard-hitting light-heavyweights ended in a brutal knockout delivered by the smaller Irvin, who unloaded a Superman punch, a jumping blow that crushed the side of Alexander's face and knocked him out cold, earning kudos as one of the ten best UFC knockouts.
2. Chris Leben v. Anderson Silva. June 2006 saw the unveiling of a new light-heavyweight sensation, as the Brazilian Silva fought the heavy-fisted, iron-jawed Leben who'd rarely been knocked out, and destroyed him in the first minute with a flurry of punches that announced his entry into the UFC, and remains one of the ten best knockouts in the organization's history.
3. Gabriel Gonzaga v. Mirko Crocop. UFC 70 held in April of 2007, was the site of one of the most unexpected and devastating heavyweight knockouts in mixed martial arts history. Crocop, the feared Croatian kickboxer was a heavy favorite against Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Gonzaga, but with just 10 seconds to go in the first round, Gonzaga's high kick to Crocop's head knocked the Croatian into dreamland.
4. Rashad Evans v. Sean Salmon. In January 2007, UFC light-heavyweight contenders Evans and Salmon met to determine top contender status and in the second round, Evans' well-timed kick turned Salmon's legs to rubber and resulted in one of the ten best knockouts in the UFC.
5. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson v. Wanderlei Silva. Two of the most exciting light-heavyweights in UFC history met December of 2008, in an eagerly anticipated rematch. Silva had twice defeated Jackson in legendary knockouts while both were fighting for the Pride organization, so Jackson's reputation and title chances were at stake. In a fight that lived up to its billing, Jackson's short counter left hook caved in Silva's face and earned accolades as one of the best UFC knockouts in recent memory.
6. Scott Smith v. Pete Sell. In November 2006, middleweight brawlers Smith and Sell met in a three-round bout that was fast-paced and exciting. In the second round, Smith hunched over in pain after a body blow by Sell, and as Sell rushed in for the kill, Smith landed a punch that buckled Sell's knees and knocked him out. Smith then lay on the mat in pain, too hurt to celebrate one of the best and most bizarre knockouts in UFC history.
7. Chuck Liddell v. Rashad Evans. UFC 88 in September of 2008 featured noted striker Liddell on the comeback trail against the talented, fast-rising wrestler, Evans in a light-heavyweight clash. In round two, Evans uncorked an overhand right with such power that Liddell was out cold before he hit the mat.
8. Dan Henderson v. Michael Bisping. July 2009 saw a middleweight fight between former Pride champion Henderson, and up-and-coming British kick-boxer Bisping, that ended in the second round with a thunderous punch by Henderson that knocked Bisping out in emphatic fashion.
9. Cain Velasquez v. Brock Lesnar. October 2010 featured a titanic clash between heavyweight champion Lesnar and top contender Velasquez, who used technical boxing to batter Lesnar into submission, producing one of the most surprising knockouts in UFC history.
10. Chuck Liddell v. Tito Ortiz. This April 2004 light-heavyweight grudge match between former best friends ended in blood-spattered glory as Liddell tattooed Ortiz with blows that crumpled him in the corner and left fans celebrating another memorable UFC knockout.