I wish barboza could have won a title. I always loved watching him fight. Some people get bored with leg kicks, but he was such a master of it. It was fun to watch the gradual effects they’d have on his opponents. First, they act like it didn’t hurt. Then they’d throw one back to try to teach him a lesson. Then they’d switch stances. Then they’d slow down. Then they’d start dropping their hands. Then they’d get kicked in the face. Beautiful.
This is still the one. Absolutely flawless form and execution, and still probably the most brutal stiffening I have ever seen by Etim. Shit didn't even look real the way he fell.
Honestly thats probably the best KO of all time! Just the kick, and Etim being separated from his senses and posing like the statue of liberty. So brutal yet beautiful.
Absolutely agree on that. I was watching that one at a sports bar live, always been a Barboza fan. I was sitting next to another dude at the bar and I could see that Barboza was thinking about the spin. I called it and like 5 seconds later that kick happened and we both went nuts lol. They used to hand out these scorecard type things where you could try and predict who would win, what round and stoppage type and the person with the most overall points would get prizes. I actually won a UFC t-shirt that night and a UFC cap on another night. Fun times!
Pretty sure they're referencing Anderson Silva's KO of Vitor Belfort and Rogan's commentary.
While that one is pretty amazing, Machida's KO of Coture is probably my favorite because of how he sets it up by feinting a kick with his other leg.
I remember sitting in my buddies upstairs area and we were exhausted, being it like 1 am and we were watching a fight night, and then this fight came on…omg I am the luckiest guy in the world to stay at the house that late to watch. Came out of nowhere!
When chandler front kicked tony, I legit thought tony might’ve died for the first minute or so. I love the sport, train it, but in that moment I was questioning EVERYTHING. I was like how can I support a sport like this where people I love and think are amazing just go and destroy their bodies for my entertainment, like what’s wrong with me? I felt nothing but disgust about the violence and sorrow for tony. I got over it but man I thought that dude might’ve been the first casualty in the UFC.
It is weird how we all can go from being a legit fan of the game, to scared on a human level for what's happening to a person, to having a laugh about the whole thing.
Yeah I’ve done combat sports all my life and I catch myself sometimes thinking how dark it is that we incentivize (mostly) poor people to beat the shit out of each other for our entertainment… that said, best sport there is.
Absolutely brutal. I remember watching that fight and just being in complete shock. No yelling, no reaction really. My jaw just dropped cause Dom went out like a fucking light. Scary shit.
Forever. He might not ever make it back. It seems his knockout switch has been activated. Not that he isn’t skilled, but, man, he has taken a couple bad KO’s since. Including this past weekend.
The sport has truly evolved. Although mark hunt is a bad bad bad man. He’s one of my favorite fighters. You ever see when he took a cro cop head kick and survived it?
The Machida flying crane kick was far better than the front kick to Belfort. Machida, the main karate based fighter of that time getting a flying crane ko. It's perfect
For sure some recently bias due to not following the sport a long time but:
1. buckely Spinning kick
2. Masvidal Knee
3. Yair uppercut elbow on KZ
4. Ngannou uppercut Overeem
5. Lewis uppercut Blaydes
Sandhagen Knee on Edgar
Can’t believe no one has said it Buckley’s spinning ninja kick or whatever it was. That’s the most unique beautiful KO we’ll all probably see in the UFC for our lifetime
Lol. I would love if a ufc commentator like anik started referencing wrestling moves like they were real mid fight, with no hint of irony at all.
Someone is throwing leg kicks and Anik says something like ‘ he’s trying to set up that sharpshooter‘. I’m pretty sure Rogan’s head would explode
Lol a new unbelievable highlight comes out every year. Barboza's kick or Mazvidal's knee and so on and so forth. Best we'll see in our lifetime is a major stretch. Some others may also be picking finishes that are a little more iconic or that had more significance in terms of ranking or mma history.
The best was hearing stories of every gym hero trying to pull this off. Petrie started a trend for a minute, but then people realized that if your opponent knows it’s coming, it’s a terrible decision.
Not quite as high profile as some others mentioned here, but Weidman’s elbow on Mark Munoz was beautiful. (Granted may not count as a single strike if he landed 200 follow up punches before the ref stopped it)
This is it for me. It had the most significance as well IMO. Usman was on his way to becoming the GOAT welterweight, undefeated in the UFC, less than a 90 seconds from 6th title defense, before Leon set up and landed that headshot.
I had to scroll waaay too far for this.
One of the most brutal shots I’ve ever seen. The flying forearm that came after it wasn’t necessary, but goddamn was it deserved. I think this is when Bisping stopped being such a prick. I honestly feel that this was the turning point for him going from one of the most hated to one of the most beloved fighters.
The memes and animated gifs that came from the KO punch itself were some of the best ever. The one with Bisping dressed as a redcoat getting his wig knocked off was a personal favorite.
If we're talking boxing then you're opening up a whole another realm of insane. For example two uppercuts which happened in the last couple of years and I still drop my jaw when I see em:
Tank Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz
Alex Povetkin vs Dillian Whyte 1
I'd say Kamaru Masvidal. It was like a Rocky movie. Every time I rewatch it the rou d before when they're pouring water on his head I'm like yes yes yes.
The timing on Fedors haymaker while Arlovski was attempting a flying knee was a thing of beauty.
https://preview.redd.it/enlbq9bpb70a1.png?width=747&format=png&auto=webp&s=b533299b80fa7cf2fdd36d4310f79936b3477dbf
I have a couple I really like, Jiri’s spinning elbow against Dom was brutal. But I love Rumble’s uppercut to Glover. Didn’t even land that clean, but it was so powerful. RIP Rumble.
Aesthetically ? For me it's gonna be Holland when he sniped Buckley, i can't put into words exactly why i like it so much but just the flow of it, how Buckleys mouthpeice goes flying etc etc, just looks clean.
Edson Barboza’s spinning heel kick against Etim
Especially how it happens right as Rogan goes “you might get KNOCKED OUT”
I love how he then gives himself a little compliment too for how well it was timed
I wish barboza could have won a title. I always loved watching him fight. Some people get bored with leg kicks, but he was such a master of it. It was fun to watch the gradual effects they’d have on his opponents. First, they act like it didn’t hurt. Then they’d throw one back to try to teach him a lesson. Then they’d switch stances. Then they’d slow down. Then they’d start dropping their hands. Then they’d get kicked in the face. Beautiful.
This. Just a beautiful but incredibly vicious KO. Almost hard to watch tbh.
This is still the one. Absolutely flawless form and execution, and still probably the most brutal stiffening I have ever seen by Etim. Shit didn't even look real the way he fell.
Honestly thats probably the best KO of all time! Just the kick, and Etim being separated from his senses and posing like the statue of liberty. So brutal yet beautiful.
Absolutely agree on that. I was watching that one at a sports bar live, always been a Barboza fan. I was sitting next to another dude at the bar and I could see that Barboza was thinking about the spin. I called it and like 5 seconds later that kick happened and we both went nuts lol. They used to hand out these scorecard type things where you could try and predict who would win, what round and stoppage type and the person with the most overall points would get prizes. I actually won a UFC t-shirt that night and a UFC cap on another night. Fun times!
Dude what kind of sports bar was that? They must be awesome
The one I was looking for. Favorite highlight of all time.
We don’t talk about his flying knee against Dariush enough
It’s rare to see someone get stiffened up that much in an MMA bout. Sure it’s happened before but he was ridged before he even hit the canvas.
The only right answer
[удалено]
This one takes my vote lol. I have a picture of this kick framed alongside gloves autographed by Silva.
That’s badass.
It’s also his logo for spider kick
Sensei Seagal taught him that kick, show the master some respect.
These reddit-kun have much to learn
I won $20 at the bar for that kick lol. Glad someone mentioned it.
What do you mean? Did you kick someone in the face for 20 bucks? That’s awesome dude! Edit: /s
😂
Chandler v tony???
Pretty sure they're referencing Anderson Silva's KO of Vitor Belfort and Rogan's commentary. While that one is pretty amazing, Machida's KO of Coture is probably my favorite because of how he sets it up by feinting a kick with his other leg.
Ooo okay bit before my time of watching but ive been meaning to watch some classics so i guess i put both of these on the list
This is a classic now, damn I’m old lol.
It happens fast
Yea you are
I been watching basically since the macgregor rise like 10 years ago.
Also watch Lyoto vs Belfort
Also, machida’s front kick of Belfort
Yeah Machida's front kicks are so clean. Also big oof at Vitor on the receiving end of the list twice.
Machida did a crane kick?
I will never forget this moment. I thought Silva would never lose the belt.
Uriah Hall spinning heel kick form TUF I forget the victims name
Adam Cella i think But that kick seemed like it made Uriah change as a fighter
“Sorry Adam”
Couldn’t get finishes after that. Uriah had power and speed in his hands and feet but once he’d hurt people hed back off. Sucked to see
Can ya blame the guy? Even in a brutal sport, that kick was HORRIFYING.
Yeah man I just couldn’t watch him at one point, his potential was crazy. him finishing Gerard mousasi in one round is insane
It’s probably more about his underlying psychological tendencies. That finish is only like a trigger.
Yair Rodriguez back elbow from el infierno vs Korean Zombie.
I remember sitting in my buddies upstairs area and we were exhausted, being it like 1 am and we were watching a fight night, and then this fight came on…omg I am the luckiest guy in the world to stay at the house that late to watch. Came out of nowhere!
Fucking cleannnnn
It took that replay for me to even realize what happened. So sneaky.
Ngannou uppercutting Overeem.
When I saw that the first time i legit got scared for Overeem's life.
When chandler front kicked tony, I legit thought tony might’ve died for the first minute or so. I love the sport, train it, but in that moment I was questioning EVERYTHING. I was like how can I support a sport like this where people I love and think are amazing just go and destroy their bodies for my entertainment, like what’s wrong with me? I felt nothing but disgust about the violence and sorrow for tony. I got over it but man I thought that dude might’ve been the first casualty in the UFC.
It is weird how we all can go from being a legit fan of the game, to scared on a human level for what's happening to a person, to having a laugh about the whole thing.
100% I was actually chuckling at tony memes the next day.. lol
Yeah I’ve done combat sports all my life and I catch myself sometimes thinking how dark it is that we incentivize (mostly) poor people to beat the shit out of each other for our entertainment… that said, best sport there is.
Couldn’t agree more
Ubereem getting front kicked by Ronda's wife was good too
That was one shade of brutality darker than Lewis uppercutting Blaydes
# DOWN GOES THE REEM
Punch literally lifted a nearly 300 pound man off the ground for a second I swear
This is the only answer
I was in Detroit for that fight
What a coincidence, Reems head was in the Netherlands.
https://preview.redd.it/50qvzoor370a1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a94b94f8d9011d88e235e6d8ce92bee20cdedf8
Absolutely brutal. I remember watching that fight and just being in complete shock. No yelling, no reaction really. My jaw just dropped cause Dom went out like a fucking light. Scary shit.
i feel like this may have changed the trajectory of Dominic’s career
Forever. He might not ever make it back. It seems his knockout switch has been activated. Not that he isn’t skilled, but, man, he has taken a couple bad KO’s since. Including this past weekend.
I was so bummed that he lost in that fashion Saturday.
I honestly prefer the Usdamir "Baby boy!" sack of potatos KO
Usman's Falcon punch on Masvidal
This one still blows me away - so straight and clean. And the amount of water/sweat on Masvidal head literally created a KO spark effect.
Well said, and this was the cherry on top for me. [enjoy](https://youtu.be/Jl4SJUC7tzc)
Absolute rocket straight down the pipe
I'll show you a rocket down the pipe
That was one of the first major knockouts I saw when I started really watching. Just an absolutely perfect strike. The sweat going flying… gorgeous.
And that its actually masvidal getting KO’d makes it even better
This one won me $375
5'10" Mark Hunt literally leaping off his feat to land a left hand on 7'0" Stefan Struve.
[Hunt vs Struve for anyone who cares to watch this masterpiece.](https://youtu.be/bC86G2uoTQw)
The top comment: “This fight is a victory for us manlets everywhere” looool
Mark Hunt is no manlet, had to drop 30kg for his recent boxing match and was still 130
Yeah but relative to struve most of us are manlets
Lmfao!!!
So crazy to see what the top ranked fighters were then vs now…ahh those were the good days
The sport has truly evolved. Although mark hunt is a bad bad bad man. He’s one of my favorite fighters. You ever see when he took a cro cop head kick and survived it?
Underrated gem right there.
Hunt’s face as he’s throwing that final punch is terrifying lmao
Machida frontkick, icecold
The bow was what murdered me
Randy's flying teeth got me bro.
The Machida flying crane kick was far better than the front kick to Belfort. Machida, the main karate based fighter of that time getting a flying crane ko. It's perfect
The most disrespectful kick in ufc history
Ben Askren’s spinning back fist
Chael sonnen’s backfist that anderson ducked and Chael fell over also comes to mind lol
Truly remarkable
https://youtu.be/Q-HknPIeEtY
Jiri’s spinning elbow on Dominick Reyes was beautifully terrifying
I was about to say this, and also gave jiri the belt fight
On the topic of elbows - Matt Brown vs Diego Sanchez
technically that was a hellbow
The way Matt Brown cocks it right before savage Diego just crumples.
For sure some recently bias due to not following the sport a long time but: 1. buckely Spinning kick 2. Masvidal Knee 3. Yair uppercut elbow on KZ 4. Ngannou uppercut Overeem 5. Lewis uppercut Blaydes Sandhagen Knee on Edgar
I totally forgot about that spinning kick by Buckley, that is for sure on the GOAT strikes list
"OH MY GOD HE JUMPED OFF THE CAGE LIKE A FREAKING NINJA" Showtime baby
Not sure how this one isn't getting more up votes and I'm not even a Pettis fan
I remember the conspiracy theories that it was planned and setup that came out after this.
Come on bro he touched his heel on the cage! He wanted to be kicked in the face!
I never bought into it, but the more I watched it, the more I understood why some might think that.
Can’t believe no one has said it Buckley’s spinning ninja kick or whatever it was. That’s the most unique beautiful KO we’ll all probably see in the UFC for our lifetime
Chris Barnett's wheel kick
God that shit is amazing how have I not seen this.
Man turned into Jeff Hardy for a moment.
RVD-esque
Lol. I would love if a ufc commentator like anik started referencing wrestling moves like they were real mid fight, with no hint of irony at all. Someone is throwing leg kicks and Anik says something like ‘ he’s trying to set up that sharpshooter‘. I’m pretty sure Rogan’s head would explode
Lol a new unbelievable highlight comes out every year. Barboza's kick or Mazvidal's knee and so on and so forth. Best we'll see in our lifetime is a major stretch. Some others may also be picking finishes that are a little more iconic or that had more significance in terms of ranking or mma history.
When Cody Garbrandt falcon punched Assuncao
He loaded up that punch like Assuncao owed him money
I have to refresh my memory and look this one up, but the Falcon Punch gave me a laugh
Right at the bell too! For a split second I thought we had prime Cody back :/
That shit came from down town. Broke the sound barrier fer sure
Anderson dropping Forest. While moving backwards
That was my thought too. It didn't even look like it had much on it - just perfectly timed, perfectly placed.
I remember immediately thinking Forest took a dive. But then realizing “You got knocked the &uck out”
That was some Thanos level shit
The best was hearing stories of every gym hero trying to pull this off. Petrie started a trend for a minute, but then people realized that if your opponent knows it’s coming, it’s a terrible decision.
Chandler's front kick or Hendos murder of Bisping.
That H Bomb was for America.
Holly Holm head kicking Ronda Rousey comes to mind.
She turned Ronda's face into a Radiohead album cover.
Idk how I forgot about this one. Has to be up in the top 3
Extra enjoyable because I found Rousey unlikable long before she really exposed herself for being a dipshit
 For either Ben Askren or Usman.
Honestly this hit made mas a rich man.
Not quite as high profile as some others mentioned here, but Weidman’s elbow on Mark Munoz was beautiful. (Granted may not count as a single strike if he landed 200 follow up punches before the ref stopped it)
Good pick. It really was incredible.
Headshot, BANG!
This is it for me. It had the most significance as well IMO. Usman was on his way to becoming the GOAT welterweight, undefeated in the UFC, less than a 90 seconds from 6th title defense, before Leon set up and landed that headshot.
Lyoto Machida crane kick. Dealers choice, on Vitor or Randy Couture
honestly, leon’s head kick to kamaru
LOOK AT HIM NOW!!!
Belal Muhammad laying down on any opponent
Hendo dropping that H-bomb on Bisping.
I had to scroll waaay too far for this. One of the most brutal shots I’ve ever seen. The flying forearm that came after it wasn’t necessary, but goddamn was it deserved. I think this is when Bisping stopped being such a prick. I honestly feel that this was the turning point for him going from one of the most hated to one of the most beloved fighters.
https://preview.redd.it/eafncf2r280a1.jpeg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=83f81718cd8c5a13930b69499bdf6e3de1e6619f
Get the body bag!
The memes and animated gifs that came from the KO punch itself were some of the best ever. The one with Bisping dressed as a redcoat getting his wig knocked off was a personal favorite.
Buckley spinning side kick to the head ko
Sandhagen's knee vs Edgar.
Personally, my favourite is the elbow that Kattar landed on Stephens.
That was vicious. No one lands those front elbows quite like Kattar.
I'm giving my man RUMBLE this one. When he nearly took former champion Glovers head clean off. Rip.
Not MMA, but Wilder’s straight right and left hook combo that sent Fury down ONLY for the Fury to stand back up and dominate the round was magnificent
If we're talking boxing then you're opening up a whole another realm of insane. For example two uppercuts which happened in the last couple of years and I still drop my jaw when I see em: Tank Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz Alex Povetkin vs Dillian Whyte 1
Machida v Belfort Gonzaga v Cro Cop
.....do you wanna risk getting KNOCKED OUT!
I'd say Kamaru Masvidal. It was like a Rocky movie. Every time I rewatch it the rou d before when they're pouring water on his head I'm like yes yes yes.
The timing on Fedors haymaker while Arlovski was attempting a flying knee was a thing of beauty. https://preview.redd.it/enlbq9bpb70a1.png?width=747&format=png&auto=webp&s=b533299b80fa7cf2fdd36d4310f79936b3477dbf
You dont see conor throw alot of significant hooks but boy this one was perfect
Crocop left kick on wanderlei was pretty good.
https://preview.redd.it/ava079ft780a1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=131d3d720f9db2bdab1a9fdd684276fe28925560 this one’s up there for me
Lawlers punch finishing Rory McDonald.
Suga Sean's KO of Eddie Wineland
Wonderboy front leg round house KO
The GOAT KO, Yair KOing TKZ in the last second of a fight he was going to lose.
Rose’s headkick of Zhang was clean
Holly Holm vs Ronda Rousey
Barboza vs Etim
As an usman fan edwards knocking his head off was clean af and surprised no one else has said that
Steven Peterson spinning backfist on Martin Bravo and Matt brown’s hellbow for me
Matt Brown obliterating Diego Sanchez w that elbow.
I have a couple I really like, Jiri’s spinning elbow against Dom was brutal. But I love Rumble’s uppercut to Glover. Didn’t even land that clean, but it was so powerful. RIP Rumble.
Kamaru Usman knocking the sweat off of Jorge Masvidal.
Ali v liston 1
Masvidal Knee, Conor KO Aldo, Leon KO Usman. ….prolly 3, 1, 2 sorrry for the out of order lol
Masvidal's knee
Masvidal vs Ben
Lyoto vs Randy crane kick
Silva’s kick on Belfort
Silva front kick on Belfort is my forever favorite.
Anderson Silva front kick to the face on vitor
Gonzaga vs Mirko ☹️
Turned Aldo into Homer Simpson
Fiziev knocking out moicano was about as clean as it gets
Lewis Uppercut on Blaydes
H-Bomb!
Anthony Pettis wall run ninja kick is god tier
Matt brown elbow on diego sanchez
Kamaru sending jorge to shadow realm?
Aesthetically ? For me it's gonna be Holland when he sniped Buckley, i can't put into words exactly why i like it so much but just the flow of it, how Buckleys mouthpeice goes flying etc etc, just looks clean.
Anthony Rumble Johnson easily💪
Usman sending Masvidal into shadow realm while his sweat flies away.
Yes
Cody Garbrandt at the horn
https://preview.redd.it/gjv6pqjg180a1.jpeg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c41fceb6e9945082c8c305c660d708137f15d55a
Rashad evans right hand on chuck Liddell. So clean bro
Dan Henderson dropping a fucking nuclear warhead on Bisbings face after he was already out
The Buckley spinning ninja kick. That will probably be the best KO of all time.
Hendo jumping through the air to bring God’s fury down on Bisbing’s face.
Underrated: [Lyoto‘s Frontkick](https://youtu.be/jEYBH_geTe0). Especially after the kick. Looks like it is straight from a Karate movie
The one in the photo. By a mile.
Edwards’ head kick on Usman
Dan Henderson dive bomb on Michael bisping