Best Knockouts from 1st Half of 2013

MMA has been blessed with many impressive knockouts so far in 2013, from the UFC to Bellator, from World Series of Fighting to Invicta. They have been great compliments to the submissions that have occurred, combining to make for a memorable year thus far.

However, it's about time that we sort out the best 10 knockouts from the first half of the year. There were so many candidates that it's incredibly tough to narrow down the options.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best knockouts, with the honorable mentions listed first:

Mikhail Zayats def. Renato Sobral via spinning backfist and punches at Bellator 85

Marlon Moraes def. Tyson Nam via head kick and punches at World Series of Fighting 2

Tyron Woodley def. Jay Hieron via punches at UFC 156

Tom Watson def. Stanislav Nedkov via knees and punches at UFC on Fuel

Robbie Lawler def. Josh Koscheck via punches at UFC 157

Wanderlei Silva def. Brian Stann via punches at UFC on Fuel

Travis Browne def. Gabriel Gonzaga via elbows at TUF Finale

Yoel Romero def. Clifford Starks via flying knee and punches at UFC on Fox

Myles Jury def. Ramsey Nijem via punch at UFC on Fox

TJ Grant def. Gray Maynard via punches at UFC 160

Thiago Silva def. Rafael Cavalcante via punches at UFC on Fuel

Edson Barboza def. Rafaello Oliveira via leg kicks at UFC 162

Veronica Rothenhausler def. Katalina Malungahu via punch at Invicta 4

Cris Cyborg def. Marloes Coenen via punches at Invicta 6

Miriam Nakamoto def. Duda Yankovich via knees and punches at Invicta 6

10. Nelson Drops Kongo Straight out of the UFC

Event: UFC 159

Method: Punches

Leading off the list at No. 10 is the Knockout of the Night from UFC 159.

Roy Nelson and Cheick Kongo was a matchup that fans had been anticipating for some time. Both were considered gatekeepers in the heavyweight division who were always capable of winning, but were ever in search of a marquee win.

In just over two minutes, the power and hardcore madness that is Nelson's overhand punches reared its devastating head again. Kongo was left in a heap, both literally and figuratively, as he was ousted from the UFC following this loss.

9. Belfort Mistakes Bisping's Head for Futbol

Event: UFC on FX 7

Method: Head kick and punches

The headliner of the UFC on FX 7 in Brazil early in 2013 gave us a ninth-ranked knockout in this countdown.

Michael Bisping had only been knocked out once in his career—one of the most devastating knockouts of all time courtesy of Dan Henderson punching his head all the way back to the UK—until his encounter with Vitor Belfort.

Over a minute into the second round against Belfort, Bisping found himself on the receiving end of his second career knockout loss. Belfort timed a beautifully thrown head kick that dazed the Brit, who was quickly finished off on the ground.

8. Pettis Channels His Inner Bas Rutten

Event: UFC on Fox 6

Method: Body kick and punches

It was touted as the best striking matchup in the lightweight division and a potential barnburner. 2:35 into the fight, one man was clearly the better striker: Anthony Pettis.

Pettis tried to utilize a capoeira kick early on, but it was an accurate kick to the liver that crumbled Donald Cerrone in one fell swoop.

A couple of follow-up strikes later and Pettis was the winner just over the halfway point of the first round.

7. Silva Downs, Scolds Overeem

Event: UFC 156

Method: Punches

There was some bad blood going into Antonio Silva and Alistair Overeem's bout at UFC 156. This was apparent from the press conference staredown and weigh-ins.

The fight was in the third round and Overeem was slowing down. He was likely winning, but then some misfortune came his way.

Silva cornered Overeem against the cage and unleashed a hellish fury that saw him punish the K-1 champion with repeated bombs to the jaw. It all ended when Overeem went down and the referee had to pull Silva off of him.

Brutal.

6. Newton Dethrones 'King Mo'

Event: Bellator 90

Method: Spinning Backfist

Emanuel Newton was not supposed to win; he was supposed to be a tuneup for the future champion and face of the company.

"The Hardcore Kid" did not get the memo.

An overzealous Muhammed Lawal came forward with his hands down and moved right into what can only be described as the perfect move. Newton shelled out a spinning back fist and sent the current Bellator/TNA employee into a trance.

A follow-up wasn't necessary as the king was out cold.

5. Thomson Re-Arrives to the UFC

Event: UFC on Fox 7

Method: Head kick and punches

The acquisition of the Strikeforce by the UFC effectively insured that Josh Thomson would get at least one more fight with his former employer. However, it wouldn't be an easy task, as he was given the former title challenger Nate Diaz.

Many people didn't give Thomson much of a chance (other than me and a couple others). However, from the start to the shocking finish, Thomson proved to be superior.

In the second round, Thomson blasted Diaz with a monstrous head kick that stunned the iron-jawed warrior. Some nasty ground-and-pound sealed the deal, giving Thomson the dreamy homecoming that he had hoped for.

4. Weidman Hands Silva First UFC Loss

Event: UFC 162

Method: Punches

For years, Anderson Silva clowned opponents, forced them to make bad decisions and embarrassed them. With one massive left hook, the deck was reshuffled, and he no longer held gold around his waist.

Underdog Chris Weidman was widely viewed as the best opponent Anderson Silva would face in his title reign and the man with the best chance to take the strap. That said, he was still a heavy underdog to the man many consider to be the best ever.

Weidman took the first round with his wrestling but did not look completely dominant. That was until the second, when Silva's clowning ended up being his demise.

Weidman cracked the champ with a left hook that would have decapitated a mastodon. Weidman smelled blood and leveled several more shots on the downed Silva before the fight was stopped.

The second half of the year will now bring us the biggest rematch in a long time.

3. Vitor Turns Heel

Event: UFC on FX 8

Method: Spinning heel kick and punches

It was an intriguing matchup between Vitor Belfort, a former UFC champion, and Luke Rockhold, the final Strikeforce champion.

Belfort looked sharp throughout the fight, even though it lasted less than three minutes. Then, from out of nowhere, Belfort unleashed a spinning wheel kick right to the dome of Rockhold.

Staggered and hurt, Rockhold dropped to the mat with Belfort in pursuit. A few punches sealed the deal, and the Brazilian put himself back into title contention.

2. Dos Santos Breaks Through the Toughest of Jaws

Event: UFC 160

Method: Spinning heel kick and punch

The fact that a 240-pound man in the heavyweight division was able to successfully throw a spinning heel kick that knocked out his opponent is impressive enough. Add to the fact that it was against a man that is credited with one of the best chins in MMA, and you have yourself a candidate for Knockout of the Year.

That's exactly what happened when Junior dos Santos surprised Mark Hunt with his athleticism and full arsenal. It is a move that had fans making sure they were watching a live fight and not a video game simulation.

1. Hunt's a Jaw Breaker, Dream Maker

Event: UFC on Fuel 8

Method: Punches

Just take a look at the picture. That alone shows you the brutality and sickening power that Mark Hunt generated when slamming Stefan Struve's face in Japan.

The height difference was like a freak show. A nearly 7-foot man from the Netherlands was taking on a man a full foot shorter in Hunt, a formula that benefited Struve not long before when he defeated Pat Barry.

Hunt came to play, and play he did. He battered Struve with a nasty combination, walking away from the falling giant with the most baller of attitudes.

The finishing strikes broke Struve's jaw and sent teeth flying, more than enough to make this knockout the best of the first half of 2013.