7. Sam Stout vs. Yves Edwards – UFC 131
What can I say? I agree that this was one of the best knockouts in the history of the UFC.
There are a couple different elements that put this very recent result into my top 10.
For starters, the execution is beautiful, as Stout follows a trademark Team Tompkins right to the body with a left that comes down over Edwards’ right and lands right on the button, turning the lights out instantly.
Secondly, the way Edwards simply shut off the second Stout’s hand connected with his chin. This wasn’t one of those “Is he out?” moments; this thing was done, and you knew for sure because Edwards stiffened up and fell to the floor like someone pushing over a mannequin.
Third, it was recent and I was there to see it live. Why lie? Those things factor into the way we rank and recall things all the time, so there is no point in pretending it doesn’t hold true in this discussion.
6. Tank Abbott vs. John Matua – UFC 6
Yeah, when you knock out a 400-plus pound Hawaiian in under 20 seconds, you’ve got yourself a place on the top 10 knockouts list.
Abbott did just that at UFC 6 in his first appearance in the Octagon. Billed as a street fighter, Abbott looked every bit the gruesome, thuggish, nasty dude people like John McCain were worried about when they battle against this sport back in the early days. His debut performance showed he wasn’t just dressed for the role either.
After Abbott dropped Matua with the first shot, he connected with another as the massive Hawaiian started to get back to his feet. The blast left him twitching on the Octagon floor, a sight that still gives me that icky feeling whenever I see it.
5. Spencer Fisher vs. Matt Wiman – UFC 60
This is one that flies under the radar with almost everyone, but deserves greater recognition.
While most of the memorable finishes we remember come from meaningful bouts with titles on the line or future implications resting in the balance, this was as nondescript a lightweight bout as you could get at the time. Fisher was coming off his split decision loss to Stout at UFC 58, while Wiman was making his UFC debut, filling in for an injured Leonard Garcia on two weeks notice, and coming off a loss.
After an entertaining first round, Fisher clipped Wiman with a solid right hook early in the second. As he backed up, Wiman raised his hand as if to signal that he was okay. He wasn’t, and he was going to be even worse in a second.
Fisher took the opening and finished the fight, delivering a perfect flying knee that put Wiman out. People sleep on this finish, but it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen in the UFC.
After months of going back and forth as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, Henderson and Bisping got the chance to resolve things in the cage at UFC 100. The result would be the Knockout of the Year for 2009.
We all remember it, Bisping curiously circling towards Henderson’s power, moving backwards and to his left, Henderson stalking…
BA-BOOM… H-BOMB!
Henderson connected with a big overhand right, Bisping stiffened and crashed to the canvas. Game over. We’re done here. No matter how many times I watch it, I still can’t believe Bisping circled into Henderson’s power hand. I also can’t think of many knockouts that top it.