BEST MMA KNOCKOUTS OF 2010

This list contains my favourite KO’s of the last year. Some were picked for the brutal nature of their endings, while others were chosen for the effect they had on the Mixed Martial Arts world. After reading this countdown, try to watch some of these KO’s on various websites.

10. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs. Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida 2:

After a close and controversial first bout which Machida took, the highly anticipated rematch only lasted one round with ‘Shogun’ Rua punching his way through the supposed elusive ‘Dragon’ to claim the Light Heavyweight title.

9. Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar:

Another title changed hands, as Cain Velasquez beat former power house Brock Lesnar into submission at UFC 121. The beating was so bad that it may push the Death Clutch star (Lesnar) into considering a return to fake wrestling.

8. Takanori ‘Fireball Kid’ Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin:

Gomi’s form was on the downward spiral after being dominated in his first UFC bout by top contender Kenny Florien. However the Fireball Kid stormed back to his pride days with a ruthless right hand that left Tyson Griffin face down on the canvas. Next for Gomi will be a predictable barnstorming brawl with Clay Guida.

7. Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira:

Anyone who knows anything about MMA knows that ‘Big Nog’ Nogueira has a cast iron chin. So when Mexican powerhouse Cain Velasquez flattened the submission expert so easily, it really got the whole world to stand up and recognize the growing potential of this young heavyweight.

6. Rich Franklin vs. Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell:

After Liddell broke Franklin’s arm mid way through the 1^st round, it looked like the same old ‘Iceman’ who smelled blood. However, it was a crunching, counter right hand 5 seconds from the end that sent the legend Liddell into a possible retirement. It marked the end of a dramatic fight and a fantastic turn around for ‘Ace’ Franklin.

5. Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga:

Brazilian vs. Brazilian, Dos Santos’ vicious ground and pound on Gonzaga sent one man on the way out of the UFC, and the other to the number one contender spot for the heavyweight title.

4. Chan Sung Jung ‘The Korean Zombie’ vs. George Roop:

How do you stop the walking dead? try a right high kick to the head. That’s exactly what Roop did; causing one of the biggest upsets of the year by stopping the normally punch resistant Chan Jung in WEC.

3. Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley vs. Scott Smith:

Since his expulsion from the UFC after a pathetic cheap shot on Josh Koscheck, Britains own Paul Daley has racked up back to back wins, this KO on ‘Hands of Steel’ Smith being the highlight of them.

2. Carlos ‘Natural Born Killer’ Condit vs. Dan ‘Outlaw’ Hardy:

I was present at this event in the 02 Arena, and take my word for it; this was one hell of a knockout, with both fighters throwing the exact same punch at the exact same time. The winning left hook came from Condit, who crushed the welcome home of Brit Dan Hardy with one of the knock outs of the year.

1. Robbie ‘Ruthless’ Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef:

To understand how good this knock out is, you have to watch the whole fight in full, along with the slow mo replays that precede it. One fighter takes a beating, the other looks like he’s cruising to a victory, BUT don’t ever underestimate the term ONE PUNCH POWER.


Honourable mention: Strike Force Card in St Louis, which included knockout bouts like, Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland, Dan Henderson vs. Renato Sobral, Antonio Silva vs. Mike Kyle.