Knockout of the Year Watch: June 2013 Edition

Junior dos Santos unleashed a strike rarely seen from heavyweights at UFC 160, and it ended up paying off in the form of a knockout win over Mark Hunt. With that finish, Dos Santos also instantly joined the 2013 Knockout of the Year discussion.

May was a big month for spinning heel kicks, as Vitor Belfort also pulled off the technique against former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold. In doing so, Belfort put himself in position for a potential rematch with middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva.

With two new spectacular stoppages added to the list for 2013, it's time to take another look at the race for Knockout of the Year. Here are the top five contenders for the award.

5. Anthony Njokuani

Event: UFC on Fox 7

Opponent: Roger Bowling

Knockout Method: Left hook

Coming off a loss to Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Njokuani was given a matchup with Strikeforce veteran Roger Bowling.

Although Bowling carried notable knockout power, it was Njokuani who was able to beat his opponent with better technique and speed.

As Bowling rushed forward and dropped his hands in the second round, Njokuani capitalized with a quick left hook. Bowling's momentum carried his limp body forward, and he crashed into Njokuani's shoulder before falling to the canvas.   

4. Clint Hester

Event: TUF 17 Finale

Opponent: Bristol Marunde

Knockout Method: Stepping elbow

 

Following an appearance on TUF 17, Clint Hester made his UFC debut against fellow TUF veteran Bristol Marunde.

With a UFC contract likely on the line, the 26-year-old Hester made a big statement and showed he could have a very bright future in the middleweight division.

After rocking Marunde near the end of both the first and second rounds, Hester finished the job in the final stanza with an impressive standing elbow knockout. Marunde's hands flung into the air upon the impact of the elbow, causing referee Steve Mazzagatti to rush in and stop the fight immediately. 

3. Junior dos Santos

Event: UFC 160

Opponent: Mark Hunt

Knockout Method: Spinning heel kick

 

After losing the UFC heavyweight title to Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos met Mark Hunt in an exciting striking matchup.

The heavyweights stood toe-to-toe for the better part of three rounds before Dos Santos unleashed a spinning heel kick that sent Hunt to the canvas. With a few follow-up punches, the fight was over and Hunt's incredible run was ended.

Dos Santos, on the other hand, put himself right back in position for a rubber match with Velasquez as a result of his knockout win. It's likely the elite heavyweights will meet later this year, but no official announcement has been made on when they will break their tie. 

2. Vitor Belfort

Event: UFC on FX 8

Opponent: Luke Rockhold

Knockout Method: Spinning heel kick

Vitor Belfort is on a mission to earn a rematch with middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

After knocking out Michael Bisping with a head kick, Belfort picked up another huge win in Brazil by hitting Luke Rockhold with a spinning heel kick that led to a second straight knockout victory.

Having only lost to Silva and Jon Jones since returning to the UFC roster in 2009, Belfort has solidified himself as one of the top dogs in the 185-pound class. Unless Silva beats Chris Weidman in July and the UFC finds a way to book a superfight for the middleweight champion, it seems likely Belfort would receive another opportunity to compete for UFC gold. 

1. Emanuel Newton

Event: Bellator 90

Opponent: Muhammed Lawal

Knockout Method: Spinning backfist

Muhammed Lawal was one of the cornerstones in Bellator MMA's promotion on Spike TV. Many expected the former Strikeforce champion to breeze through a light heavyweight tournament and become the organization's 205-pound champion.

However, Lawal's run came to a shockingly early end in a semifinal bout against Emanuel Newton.

Despite his strong wrestling background, Lawal appeared focused on standing with Newton and got caught with a wild spinning backfist that caused him to go limp while still standing.

Newton defeated Mikhail Zayats in the light heavyweight tournament finals and is now set up to battle Bellator MMA light heavyweight champion Attila Vegh.