2011 is easily one of the biggest and most memorable years for MMA as a sport and industry. Zuffa expanded their roster with the absorption of Strikeforce, WEC’s featherweight and bantamweight divisions and the UFC’s groundbreaking broadcasting deal with the FOX network. All of these were knockouts in their own right to media, critics and pundits who thought this “fad” would die itself out.
Inside the octagon, many men walked away with knockout of the night honors, showcasing striking that can end a fight at moment’s notice and reminds us to always respect someone’s power, regardless of their main fighting style. The following are the top ten knockouts inside the UFC octagon this past year. When reading, it is important to note this lost was compiled before UFC 141 and any amazing subsequent knockout to occur can be considered a belated Christmas gift.
UFC 129: Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture:
Coming into the octagon on a two fight losing streak and looking to reclaim his chance for UFC gold, “The Dragon” was not breathing smoke but fire blazed forth in a kick right out of the movies, as he faked with a front kick, jumping and landing his foot onto the jaw of “The Natural” sending Randy Couture into a momentary sleep and permanent retirement from the sport. Proud of bringing karate back into the mainstream again, Machida not only won knockout of the night honors for his accomplishment but one of the best knockouts ever inside the octagon.
STRIKEFORCE: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson:
Leaving the UFC and losing his middleweight debut in Strikeforce, Dan Henderson found another title around his waist after knocking out Rafael Cavalcante. He was then set up to face former PRIDE champion and MMA legend, Fedor Emelianenko. Even though the mystic ambiance of Fedor being unbeatable had vanished, Henderson knew not count out the Sambo expert. As the fight began Fedor threw heavy hands and caught Henderson and stunned him to the mat. Henderson did a switch-a-roo popping behind a top sided Fedor and landed a hellacious series of punches that saw Emelianenko fall face first and out cold. Henderson not only beat “The Last Emperor” but sent him away back into smaller leagues most likely for the remainder of his career
UFC 126: Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort:
The former training partners turned into two men focused on exposing the others weaknesses and going back to Brazil with the belt as their own. Vitor Belfort was thought by many to be the man to end “The Spider’s” reign as UFC middleweight king. Belfort tried to use his speed to land his powerful lead left but Silva showed vintage form, as he jived and slipped only to send “The Phenom” to the canvas with a front kick to the face. The champion would later credit action star Steven Segal for teaching him the devastating technique.
UFC ON VERSUS 4: Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo:
Two men with powerful hands and feet, separated only by height went into beast mode earlier this year on the Versus network for all to enjoy. Barry had Kongo counting sheep twice almost winning the bout but the Frenchman hung on, strictly on autopilot and caught “HD” coming in hands down. One solid punch to the jaw and it was game over for the Rufusport fighter and Kongo got a much needed extension on his heavyweight time in the UFC.
UFC ON FOX: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos:
The UFC’s inaugural event on FOX was one the whole world of MMA stopped for. The main event was the biggest to ever be featured on a non pay per view card as it saw Cain Velasquez defending his heavyweight title belt for the first time against Junior Dos Santos. Velasquez was going into the Honda Center heavily favored but after sixty four seconds of action, Junior Dos Santos walked away with his hands raised, while a crumbled AKA fighter lay on the mat, suffering from a thunderous right hand that leveled him and saw his belt taken from him.
UFC 128: Jon Jones vs. Maurico Rua:
The youngest man to become UFC champion went into New Jersey against the youngest man to become PRIDE champion; what was left in the aftermath was a new style of fighter. “Bones” showcased world class skill that had Rua looking lost inside the cage from the opening moments. Landing solid punches, kicks, elbows and knees a final flurry had Jones punishing his opponent against the cage before he succumbed and even tapped to strikes. The bout was called a technical knock out but watching the replay you could clearly see Rua’s will was broken as he tapped after a brutal kidney shot.
UFC 140: Chan Sung Jung vs. Mark Hominick:
Bearing the nickname “The Korean Zombie” one would think it would be due to his knack for going to sleep. This fight showcased that Jung has the ability to put someone to sleep. With one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history, Jung ended the night for Hominick right when the two touched gloves. He slipped a Hominick punch and countered with a straight right hand that immediately dropped the Canadian before swarming inside with shots that earned him “Knockout of the Night” honors.
BELLATOR 51: Alexis Villa vs. Joe Warren:
Looking to become Bellator’s first multidivision champion, Joe Warren entered the bantamweight tournament drawing former Cuban Olympian Alexis Villa in the first round. Warren had ran his mouth in the build up to his first round match and Villa promised he would shut up Warren and knock him out. He did just that as a retreating Warren let his hand down for a split second and a thundering left hook connect right on the button. Warren instantly went to sleep as Villa earned the biggest win of his young career.
STRIKEFORCE: Cris “Cyborg” Santos vs. Hiroko Yamanaka:
Returning to defend her 145lb Strikeforce women’s featherweight championship, Cristine Santos showed no signs of ring rust in her one round dismantling of Yamanaka. Known as the most feared striker in all of Women’s MMA, “Cyborg” needed just sixteen seconds to depose of her opponent. Fight metrics would later reveal that Yamanaka only landed a single punch!
UFC 132: Chris Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva:
Known for his reputation as a bad boy on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter as well as personal problems outside the UFC, Chris “The Crippler” Leben went into his match at UFC 132 with knockout on his agenda. Stating in interviews that Wanderlei Silva was the reason he turned to fighting as a career, he put away his idol in the first round. A Leben uppercut planted Silva face first with a volley of punches following. It took a total of twenty-seven seconds for the bout to finish as Leben put away a legend.
