Power Ranking the Top 10 Chins in the UFC's Heavyweight Division

In the division with the most powerful fighters in the world, it's important to have a better than decent chin and the ability to take a punch. A fighter's career won't last long if they can't take a shot, especially in the division with the biggest fighters and ones that can sometimes outweigh them by 40 or more pounds.

It usually doesn't matter how hard a heavyweight punches because they will always have the ability to knock anyone out if they land a shot on the chin. What is important is that their chin can withstand the power that comes with receiving shots of their own.

These are the top 10 chins in the UFC's heavyweight division.

Notable Mention: Junior Dos Santos

Heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos shouldn't be left off this list just because his chin hasn't really been tested yet. 

He was clipped with a few shots in his fight with Shane Carwin, but that was after he had already beaten his opponent into a bloody pulp in the first round. He also was hit by Mirko Cro Cop but by nothing too significant.

Fans may or may not find out how good his chin is in his title fight with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. His boxing and defensive skills are so good, he may not have to rely on having a good chin as much as other fighters.

No. 10: Matt Mitrione

Former NFL football player Matt Mitrione introduced himself to the MMA fanbase when he participated on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. He earned the nickname "Meathead" after his war with Scott Junk. Mitrione showed just how well he can take a shot, going three rounds with the UFC veteran and winning a majority decision.

He made his MMA and UFC debut on the same night at the Ultimate Fighter Finale. Since then, he has gone 5-0 and showcased his improving skills and ability to take a punch.

No. 9: Joey Beltran

There aren't too many fighters that can take one of Pat Barry's kicks to the side of the head and still be standing afterwards. Beltran took more than one and still fought to a very competitive loss over three rounds.

Beltran is known for his all-out brawling style and his chin helps him get through the heated exchanges he usually has in every one of his fights.

No. 8: Mike Russow

Mike Russow had one of the best comebacks in UFC history when he came back from three rounds of taking a beating to knock out the undefeated Todd Duffee in their fight at UFC 114.

Known for being a crafty jiu-jitsu practitioner, Russow also has decent stand up skills. He has a rock-solid chin to go along with it, and this will help him in a division of heavy strikers.

No. 7: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

In his prime, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira had arguably the best chin in the entire sport. Since then, it hasn't been the best.

Nogueira has made a career out of coming back in fights he was losing to win in the end. Everyone use to say "he doesn't lose fights, he just runs out of time." After being knocked out by Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez, that saying no longer holds.

His next fight will come against Brendan Schaub who just knocked out Mirko Cro Cop. We'll get a good idea of where his chin stands when he takes on the TUF 10 contestant.

No. 6: Cheick Kongo

With a 16-6 record in MMA, Kongo can say he has only been knocked out once. That's impressive considering the beatings he took in fights with Pat Barry and Cain Velasquez. He came back from two knockdowns in the fight with Barry to deliver his own knockout blow to win the fight quickly after.

In Kongo's fight with Velasquez, he took 251 punches from the current UFC heavyweight champion and lost a unanimous decision with blood pouring from his mouth. He is the only man to make it the full distance in a fight with Velasquez.

No. 5: Brock Lesnar

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar doesn't react to well to getting hit but he can sure take a punch.

He showcased just how strong his chin is when he took a barrage of punches from Shane Carwin in the first round of their title fight at UFC 116. Carwin dominated the round so much, many scored it a 10-8. It's rare to see Carwin land on anyone and not put them away. Lesnar survived to submit him in the second round, retaining his title in the process.

Most recently, Lesnar was stopped by Cain Velasquez in the first round of their fight at UFC 121.

No. 4: Roy Nelson

Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson has dropped two losses back-to-back in fights with Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir but he was able to make it the distance with both.

In both fights, he took a brutal beating for the better part of three rounds, including knees and punches to the face. He was dropped in the fight with dos Santos but was able to make it the distance with the dangerous striker.

He has only been knocked out once in his entire career by Andrei Arlovski.

No. 3: Cain Velasquez

It didn't take very long for Cain Velasquez to show just how well he takes a punch when he fought Cheick Kongo at UFC 99. Seconds into Round 1, he took two massive knockout shots right on the button and was still able to secure the takedown.

It happened several times in the bout but Velasquez pushed through and won a unanimous decision. Known for his superior conditioning, this can be credited to how well he takes shots as well.

You can see a gif of the shots he took from Kongo, here.

Velasquez' solid chin is just one of many reasons his fight with Junior dos Santos is that intriguing. Expect to see it get tested in that fight.

No. 2: Shane Carwin

If the picture is any indication of the kind of the kind of punch Carwin is able to take, how about the fact that he took 88 significant strikes from Junior dos Santos before losing a unanimous decision in their fight at UFC 131.

There aren't too many fighters who are left standing with the Brazilian title contender after three rounds, but Carwin made it with blood coming out of every part of his face.

He also showed his ability to take a punch in his fight with Gabriel Gonzaga before he knocked him out in the first round.

No. 1: Mark Hunt

In his prime, MMA fighter and K1 kickboxer Mark Hunt had the best chin in the entire sport. He may not have the chin he once had, but he does have the best chin when it comes to the heavyweight division in the UFC.

Don't count on seeing him get knocked out, let alone dropped, during his stay in the leading MMA organization. His next fight will come against Ben Rothwell at UFC 135.