Top 25 Knockouts of 2011

2011 was the most exciting year of mixed martial arts action to date.

As the sport continues to evolve and meld into the mainstream, nothing typifies the pure adrenaline and energy of MMA than the knockout.

Whether it's a crushing, single punch to the face, a kick landing squarely on the temple or a barrage of powerful strikes against the cage, the knockout is the sweetest finish for fighters and fans alike.

Here are the top 25 knockouts that ruled 2011.

Honorable Mentions

With so many great knockouts last year, some incredible fights just couldn't fit the crowded top- 25 list.  Here are a few that just barely missed the cut:

- Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson

- Sam Stout vs. Yves Edwards, UFC 131

- Brad Tavares vs. Phil Baroni, UFC 125

- Brendan Schaub vs. Mirko Cro Cop, UFC 128

- Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague, UFC Fight Night 23

- Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz, UFC 129

- Mark Hominick vs. George Roop, UFC Fight Night 23

- Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman, UFC on Versus 6

25. Abe Wagner vs. Tim Sylvia, Titan FC 16

The only super-heavyweight battle on the list, former UFC Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia weighed-in at an astonishing 311 lbs. going in to his Titan FC fight with Abe Wagner.

Wagner knew he would have the speed advantage and looked to exploit this weakness in Sylvia's game.

Going forward with lighting quick punches, Wagner ran Sylvia across the cage as he repeatedly landed strikes, dropping the former champion face down on the mat.

24. Erik Koch vs. Raphael Assuncao, UFC 128

As former WEC featherweights, Eric Koch and Raphael Assuncao wanted to make a splash in their UFC debuts.

Koch was the aggressor in the fight, starting things off by landing a few kicks, forcing Assuncao to stand and trade.

Midway through the round, Assuncao shot in for a take down, but with perfect timing, Koch landed a monstrous right hand that left Assuncao knocked out on the canvas in just the first round.

After the fight, Koch told UFC commentator Joe Rogan, "Words can't describe, that's the perfect UFC debut for me."

23. Amanda Nunes vs. Julia Budd, Strikeforce Challengers 13

Amanda Nunes came out hard when she took on Julia Budd at Strikeforce Challengers 13.

With quick hands and feet, Nunes' strikes were also very powerful as Budd was forced her to go on the defensive the entire fight.

Constantly moving forward with a one-two combination, each punch landed squarely on Budd's face and dropped her.  Just 14 seconds in, the fight was called and Nunes was declared the winner.

This victory showed that despite not having the name recognition, Nunes and female's MMA will have a bright future.

22. Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro, Bellator 48

The featherweight tournament finale featured two of Bellator's most explosive fighters when Pat Curran took on Marlon Sandro in August.

Sandro dominated the striking throughout the first and most of the second round.  Both fighters exchanged some flying and spinning techniques, but Sandro kept landing harder strikes.

But as Sandro went to dip to his left in anticipation of a punch, Curran saw that his hand was down and throw a roundhouse kick to the head, sending Sandro flying to the canvas.  

This knockout won Curran the tournament and solidified his spot as one of the top featherweights on Bellator's roster.

21. Dan Henderson vs. Rafael Cavalcante , Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson

Dan Henderson was on the comeback trail after knocking out Renato Sobral in December of 2010.  Looking to continue his winning ways, Henderson also was hungry for a title.

Both wishes came true as he faced Rafael Cavalcante last March in a battle that put Hendo on a two-fight winning streak and earned him the light-heavyweight title.

Finishing Feijao early in the third round, Henderson proved that even in his 40s, striking with Hendo is a bad idea.

20. Che Mills vs. Chris Cope, UFC 138

UFC 138 was meant to be a throwaway event as it lacked big names and was broadcast on tape delay on live television.  Each fight proved doubters wrong as it turned out to be one of the most exciting events of the year. 

One of the best fights on the card was an undercard battle between welterweights Che Mills and Chris Cope.

Mills was making his UFC debut against his fellow Ultimate Fighter veteran and he did not waste the opportunity.  Showcasing his avid Muay Thai skills, Mills dispatched of Cope in just 40 seconds after a series of brutal knees and strikes, earning him Knockout of the Night.

Not a bad way to start off your UFC career.

19. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, UFC 136

Champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard started 2011 off with a bang, taking Fight of the Year with their UFC 125 draw.

Their highly anticipated rematch was postponed on multiple occasions due to injuries to both fighters, but at UFC 136, fans finally got to see the end of this amazing trilogy.

The match started off eerily similar to their last bout as Maynard pounced on Edgar and looked to finish quick.  Going back and forth for a few rounds, the match became another exciting chapter in this trilogy, but this time, there would be a finish.

Having hurt Maynard in the fourth round, Edgar rushed at his stunned foe and started hitting him with everything he had while against the cage.  After hitting him with a right hook, Edgar followed up with a few more strikes before the match was called.  

Finally, Edgar was able to defeat his longtime rival and solidify himself as the top 155er in the world.

18. Sergei Kharitonov vs. Andrei Arlovski, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

This heavyweight grand prix matchup featured a battle between two long-time heavyweight warriors as Sergei Kharitonov took on former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski.

Arlovski came out fast, landing a kick-punch combination as he showcased his superior speed. Despite the apparent lack of quickness, Kharitonov showed he had the power advantage.

Stunning Arlovski by the cage midway through round one, Kharitonov took the opening and immediately started hitting him with strikes before dropping a huge punch that knocked Arlovski out.

This win advanced Kharitonov to the quarterfinals where he would take on Josh Barnett.

17. Antonio Silva vs. Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

The allure of the "Last Emperor" had been broken when Fabricio Werdum submitted Fedor Emelianenko in 2010.

Some thought it was a fluke, but when he took on Antonio Silva in the opening round of the heavyweight grand prix, fans finally saw that the reign was over.

Silva dominated the fight and pummeled Emelianenko from the top, raining down blows that went mostly unanswered.

After two rounds of a bloody beat down, the "Last Emperor's" eye was badly swollen and doctors deemed him unfit to continue.

16. Jon Jones vs. Shogun Rua, UFC 128

No other fighter had a bigger year in 2011 than Jon Jones.

Starting the year as a highly touted prospect, Jones made quick work of fellow up-and-comer Ryan Bader at UFC 126, choking him out with a guillotine choke.

After the fight, Jones was granted a title shot against Shogun Rua when his now former teammate Rashad Evans suffered an injury.

For three rounds, Jones dominated Rua in all aspects of the fight, landing insane spinning elbows, huge kicks and knees as well as smothering Rua on the ground.

The end came in the third round when a clearly battered and bruised Rua scrambled out of half guard.  Wobbling on his feet, Jones pounced and landed a ton of strikes, emphatically ending Rua's night with a hook to the body.

The finish earned Jones the title and was the genesis of an amazing championship run.

15. Jeremy Stephens vs. Marcus Davis, UFC 125

Marcus Davis needed to make a change as his UFC career was on the downturn.  Making the decision to go down to lightweight, Jeremy Stephens would be his first test at 155.

For two and a half rounds, Davis was able to channel his years of boxing experience to pick Stephens apart.  Utilizing superior angles and combinations, Davis looked to have this fight in the bag.

Knowing that he was down two rounds, Stephens came out swinging in the third, eventually landing a huge right hand that not only ended Davis' night, but also his tenure with the UFC.

14. Melvin Guillard vs. Evan Dunham, UFC Fight Night 23

Evan Dunham was on the rise in the UFC's lightweight division when he took on the heavy handed Melvin Guillard at UFC Fight Night 23.

Fighting in front of a packed house composed of the United States military, Guillard gave them a show as he quickly pounced on the young prospect, landing huge blows from the onset.

Controlling the entire fight, Guillard made quick work of Dunham and sent him packing after barraging him with punches and knees against the cage.  The fight was called just before the three minute mark and made Guillard hungry for a future shot at the title.

13. Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley

Fireworks were expected when Paul Daley got his title shot against Nick Diaz earlier in 2011.

A fierce striker, many analysts thought that Diaz would be at a disadvantage standing up with Daley and they were right.

Through most of the opening round, Daley was dominating Diaz, dropping the champion at one point and forcing Diaz to turtle up.

Somehow regaining his composure, Diaz fought back, stood up and resumed his attack on Daley's body.  Eventually, Daley started to wobble and after a big knee and a few strikes, Diaz would retain his title and prove his detractors wrong.

12. Chirs Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva, UFC 132

Two of the heaviest handed strikers in the UFC today, fans knew that someone was going lights out as Chris Leben and Wanderlei Silva went toe-to-toe at UFC 132.

Silva stormed forward at Leben, looking to take charge and instantly turn the fight into a war, but Leben knew what was coming and, after a few exchanges, was able to drop the Pride legend with a series of brutal uppercuts.

As "the Axe Murderer" fell to his knees, Leben continued to rain down blows until the fight was called.

This win was one of the biggest in Leben's career and was a disappointing defeat for Silva.  Luckily, he would rebound at UFC 139 where he finished former Strikeforce champion Cung Le and earn himself a spot as coach on the upcoming Brazilian version of the Ultimate Fighter.

11. Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve, UFC 130

How do you take down a skyscraper?  Just channel your inner Superman.

That's exactly what Travis Browne did when he took on the towering Stefan Struve at UFC 130. 

After almost getting finished with a D'Arce choke, Browne was somehow able to escape and get back to his feet.  Struve looked to land a knee, but Browne threw a huge Superman punch completely knocking Struve out.

After a few hammerfists, referee Steve Mazzagatti mercifully called the fight.

10. Chan Sung Jung vs. Mark Hominick, UFC 140

Coming off a brutal failed title shot against Jose Aldo, Mark Hominick wanted to end things quickly when he entered the Octagon at UFC 140.

Taking on Chan Sung Jung, Hominick blasted forward, guns blazing, a tactic that proved costly.

"The Korean Zombie" avoided a left hook and landed a huge right hand that dropped Hominick to the canvas.  A couple more punches and it was over, a stunning seven second finish that left the Canadian crowd with their jaws on the floor.

The knockout turned out to be the second fastest in UFC history and one of the biggest wins in Jung's career.

9. John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson, UFC 129

If you didn't watch the undercard fights for UFC 129, you missed some great stand-up action as Canada's own John Makdessi took on Kyle Watson in a lightweight match-up.

An avid karate and kickboxing practitioner, Makdessi showed in his previous fight against Pat Audinwood that he loves to use funky kicks and strikes to baffle his opponents.

Clearly, Watson didn't get the memo as he played right into Makdessi's hand, or should I say, fist.

In the third round, Makdessi faked a kick and spun around, landing a perfect spinning backfist on Watson's chin that needed no follow-up blows.

This finish was a surefire Knockout of the Night winner until Lyoto Machida channeled his inner "Karate Kid" on the main card.

8. Brian Stann vs. Chris Leben, UFC 125

Two of the hardest hitting middleweights in the UFC, it was clear that someone was going to get knocked out when Brian Stann and Chris Leben entered the Octagon at UFC 125.

Stann knew that Leben would have an advantage if they got into a dog fight, so instead, the former Marine hero used superior footwork and angles to avoid Leben's strikes while landing blows of his own.

Three minutes into the first round, Leben got caught coming in and was dropped.  A few more punches later and Stann went from being a highly touted prospect to a legitimate contender.

7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub, UFC 134

For all the Brazilian fighters on the UFC 134 card, getting a chance to finally fight for the biggest promotion in their native country was a dream come true.  No other fighter took this to heart more than heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Many thought that Minotauro was getting up there in age and would be easy work for Ultimate Fighter alum Brendan Schaub.  Boy, were they wrong.

Schaub was landing the faster, crisper strikes on Nogueira throughout the first round, but he kept pressing forward, eating punches until he landed a left hand right cross combination that hit Schaub square on the jaw.  One more left hand by Nogueira and it was lights out for the "Hybrid".

The dramatic and emotional win in his native country marked Nogueira's return to relevancy in the UFC's heavyweight division.

6. Patricky Freire vs. Toby Imada, Bellator 39

Looking to advance in Bellator's lightweight tournament, Patricky Freire and Toby Imada came out swinging in hopes of winning a spot in the finals.

Both fighters exchanged strikes in the opening minutes, but it was clear that Freire was landing the better shots.

After landing a left kick to Imada's midsection, "Pitbull" threw a huge flying knee that left Imada dazed, standing straight up like a monster out of a classic horror movie.  Freire swarmed in with a few punches and the fight was over.

This amazing knockout wasn't only one of the best of 2011, but may be the greatest knockout in Bellator's history as well.

5. Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC on FOX 1

One of the most pivotal events in UFC history, UFC on FOX 1 served as a preview for the landmark deal made between these two sports giants.

Earlier in 2011, the UFC and FOX announced their new partnership, bringing fights to FX, Fuel TV and of course the main station.  UFC President Dana White did not want to play around, so he sent his two top heavyweights to battle as the headliners for this historic event.

In just over a minute, Junior Dos Santos made quick work of Cain Velasquez, hitting him with an overhand right that instantly put Velasquez down.  After a few follow-up strikes, the match was called, and Dos Santos became the new heavyweight champion.

4. Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture, UFC 129

One of the sadder moments for fans in 2011, UFC 129 marked the last bout in the illustrious career of UFC legend Randy Couture.

Couture had stated that he would only continue fighting if he could face the best in the division.  The UFC granted his wish and gave him former champion Lyoto Machida.

It was clear that Machida had the advantage on the feet as he was able to use his karate style to land a ton of strikes while avoiding the take downs.

The finish came in the second round in a manner that would make the late Pat Morita proud.  Faking the kick with his left leg, Machida lept into the air and landed a jumping front kick with his right foot, knocking Couture out and dislodging one of his teeth.

Fans everywhere were in awe as they witnessed the first "crane kick" knockout in UFC history, but the moment was bittersweet as it meant the end of "the Natural's" career.

3. Carlos Condit vs. Dong-Hyun Kim, UFC 132

UFC 132's opening main card bout featured a pair of upper echelon welterweights climbing the later for a shot at Georges St. Pierre's title.

An evenly matched fight throughout the first half of the round, Carlos Condit and Dong-Hyun Kim exchanged strikes on the feet and even had a little battle going on the ground.  But just passed the midway point of the round, Condit landed a huge flying knee that stunned the "Stun Gun."

Kim flew back into the cage as Condit pounced, landing multiple unanswered punches on a Kim who was out the moment the knee hit his chin.

This brutal knockout showed off Condit's "killer" instinct.

2. Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry, UFC on Versus 4

The year's biggest comeback, this heavyweight battle at UFC on Versus 4 also featured one of the most brutal knockouts of 2011.

Pat Barry had actually dropped Cheick Kongo with a huge right hand earlier in the first round with referee Dan Miragliotta ready to call the fight as Kongo momentarily went out.  Barry swarmed Kongo with punches and it appeared the fight would be over quickly.

But Kongo stood back up and, on wobbly legs, landed a perfect two punch combination that sent Barry to the mat.  Kongo followed up with a few extra hammerfists, but it was clear that Barry was out cold.

This amazing comeback and picture perfect knockout made this fight one of the most entertaining battles of the year.

1. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC 126

One of the most spectacular knock out kicks in MMA history, UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva's front kick finish of Vitor Belfort was one of the most exciting moments of 2011.

Up until that point, no other fighter in UFC history had been able to finish an opponent with a front kick—one of the most basic moves in any striking martial art.

A rather boring fight through the first half of the first round, when Silva's foot landed on Belfort's face, the crowd erupted out of their seats as Belfort hit the canvas.

This spectacular kick, so simple yet so devastating, is the top knockout of 2011.

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