Top 10 Best UFC Knockouts

UFC's 10 Best Knockouts are one thing that fight fans love about the sport of Mixed Martial Arts due to the excitement, unpredictability, and finality of the body dropping stoppage. UFC has accumulated dozens of jaw rattling and electrifying knockouts over the years that make the fans go crazy. Although a smooth submission is also a great way to win, nothing trumps a blitzkrieg of fists or a flash one punch knockout to down an opponent putting him and his chances of winning to sleep for the night.  

1. Anderson Silva Vs. Rich Franklin. October 14, 2006 at UFC 64 was the event that showed just how dangerous a fighter that Anderson Silva had become.  Silva destroyed Franklin with knees to the body from the Muay Thai-clinch and multiple knees to the face of Franklin.
   

2. Rashad Evans Vs. Chuck Liddell. They met up at UFC 88, September 6, 2008 in the Main Event of the card. Round two saw Evans countering overhand rights thrown by Liddell. Liddell went for an uppercut and Evans threw an overhand right that tore into his chin and sent him crashing to the canvas—out cold.

3. Matt Hughes Vs. Carlos Newton. November 2, 2001, UFC 34 fans saw the first televised double knockout in UFC history. In the second round Newton had Hughes in a triangle choke but Hughes lifted him for a slam. They both fell to the canvas and both were out cold. The referee checked Newton, who was out, and gave the fight to Hughes.
   

4. Tank Abbott Vs. Steve Nelmark. UFC: Ultimate Ultimate, December 12, 1996. This was near the beginning of the “No Rules” days of the UFC. Tank faced Steve Nelmark in the fight and Tank was dropping punches all over Nelmark at the opening bell and dropped him with a big slam followed by a crushing right that crumpled Nelmark.
   

5. Gary Goodridge Vs. Paul Herrera. UFC 8 had one of the most brutal Knockouts in the history of the company. Herrera rushed Goodridge, “Big Daddy” pulled him to the ground, clamped on the crucifix so that Herrera's arms were trapped and reigned down elbow after elbow, eight in all, to the head of the knocked out Herrera. The fight lasted 14 seconds.

6. Rich Franklin Vs. Nate Quarry. Franklin was the unbeatable champion at the time and at UFC 56 a virtual unknown was vying for the championship named Nate Quarry. Two minutes and thirty-four seconds into the first round, Franklin dropped Quarry with a devastating punch that stiffened Quarry's entire body, ending the fight.

7. Chuck Liddell Vs. Randy Couture 2. It was at UFC 52 on April 16, 2005. Couture won the first fight by TKO and Chuck was looking to turn things around.  Chuck threw a famous overhand right that drops Couture and he finished him with a barrage of punches to retain his title.

8. Rashad Evans Vs. Sean Salmon. Rashad was testing his high kicks in the first round and coming into the second was looking to finish the fight. After a minute of pawing by both fighters, Rashad unleashed a head kick that dropped Salmon where he stood and stiffened him up as Rashad danced in celebration.

9. Andre Arlovski Vs. Paul Buentello. UFC 55 on October 7, 2005. Arlovski was the current champion being challenged by Buentello who had two straight UFC knockout wins coming into the fight. Arlovski connects with a solid right at fifteen seconds into the first round to retain his title. This was one of the 10 best UFC knockouts that was anti-climatic as the fans were silent afterward.

10. Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Mirko Crocop. UFC 70 April 21, 2007 the feared Croatian from Pride Fighting returned after his debut win against Eddie Sanchez to face the powerful Gabriel Gonzaga. Critics thought that this would be a walk in the park for Crocop who was a star in Pride, but as always in the UFC, expect the unexpected. Gonzaga bullied Crocop the first few minutes of the first round and at four minutes and fifty-one seconds in the very first round, Gonzaga slammed a high right kick to the side of head of Crocop that dropped him like a ton of bricks.