The 8 Most Violent Head-Kick Knockouts in UFC History

Although the list of aesthetically pleasing finishing techniques that have taken place since the UFC's inception in 1993 seems infinite, none has mesmerized fans quite like a violent head-kick lullaby.

It matters little whether it comes in the form of a spinning, round, front or crane kick—head-kick KOs fascinate fans and keep them in touch with the very barbaric nature that compels them to tune in.

These devastating strikes marked the turning point and ending point in every fight on this list, offering one competitor the euphoria of victory and another the agony of defeat.

Here are the eight most ferocious head-kick knockouts in UFC history. 

Honorable Mention: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon

Credit: UFC.com

Joe Lauzon wasn't the first top-flight lightweight to get caught with an Anthony Pettis head kick, and he surely won't be the last either.

Pettis showcased his brilliant striking chops for the first time in the UFC and landed a thumping head kick early in Round 1 to flatten the always-feisty Lauzon at UFC 144.

Lauzon had his guard up when he dropped his right hand to presumably block a Pettis body kick. Instead, Pettis went high with his left leg, fooling Lauzon and cracking him on the jaw to drop the Massachusetts native in the middle of the Octagon.

Pettis dropped several unnecessary follow-up punches on Lauzon's chin before referee Marc Goddard could step in to save the day.

"Showtime" deservedly pocketed an additional $65,000 for "Knockout of the Night" honors.

Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson

UFC.com

While 39 previous opponents couldn't figure out a way to knock out former PRIDE FC champ Dan Henderson, surging Brazilian Vitor Belfort solved the riddle with one thunderous whip of his leg at UFC Fight Night 32.

Already dazed after getting dropped by a Belfort combination early in the bout, the iron-jawed Henderson popped back to his feet, only to meet "The Phenom's" left foot.

Belfort timed Henderson perfectly and drilled the 43-year-old slugger square in the jaw with a venomous kick that rendered the veteran unconscious for the first time in his 17-year career.

Belfort, who had KO'd Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold in his previous two bouts, garnered his third straight "Knockout of the Night" bonus for his exploits against Hendo.

7. Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns

USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Johnson enjoys attempting to decapitate foes with high kicks, and in his rematch with Kevin Burns at The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale, "Rumble" used one of his signature strikes to exact revenge.

Johnson repaid Burns for his repeated eye pokes in their first bout at UFC Fight Night 14 by landing a flush left high kick to his jaw just 28 seconds into Round 3.

After a brief exchange in the middle of the Octagon, Burns attempted to hurl a left hook, only to collide halfway through his motion with a vicious counter-kick that instantly put him to sleep.

Referee Mario Yamasaki attempted to spare Burns any further damage but didn't intervene in time to stop Johnson from landing an unnecessary flying right hand in what was his third UFC win.

6. Rashad Evans vs. Sean Salmon

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Before UFC Fight Night 8, experts considered Rashad Evans to be a solid NCAA Division I wrestler who had the ability to control opponents on the ground but inflict little damage in the process.

Truth be told, few pundits tabbed "Suga" as a natural knockout artist who possessed significant pop in his punches and kicks.

But that perception changed forever when he landed a beautifully timed kick on Sean Salmon's mug early in the second round at UFC Fight Night 8.

The instant that Salmon lowered his left hand, the former light heavyweight champ unleashed a high kick that found his chin, immediately rendering the former Ohio State University wrestler unconscious. 

Referee Troy Waugh intervened just as Evans landed a pair of follow-up strikes that made Salmon's toes curl.

5. Rory Markham vs. Brodie Farber

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Brodie Farber chose the most inopportune time to drop his left hand and throw a right hand at Rory Markham's body at UFC Fight Night 14.

Not only did Farber offer his opponent an obvious opening to heave a kick at his head, but he also added to the force of Markham's kick by bobbing in its direction.

Markham planted a picturesque round kick on Farber's face for his 11th career KO and instantly turned off the Californian's lights in the process.

Farber stiffly bounced off the canvas following the head-thumping blow and was unconscious for several minutes after the fight.

4. Mark Coleman vs. Pete Williams

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

Few heavyweights looked forward to testing a charged-up Mark Coleman after the former Olympic freestyle wrestler got upset by Maurice Smith to lose his title at UFC 14.

Coleman was first slated to face off with Randy Couture in his ensuing bout at UFC 17, but an injury that Couture suffered during training gave way to Lion's Den product and UFC newcomer Pete Williams.

Williams and Coleman duked it out for the bulk of the 12-minute regulation round. Once the overtime period began, though, a gassed out Coleman had little left to offer.

Once Williams sensed that Coleman was running on fumes, he went at him early in the overtime round. Just 38 seconds in, "The Hammer" dropped his guard and opened the door for one of the company's most memorable KOs. 

Sporting a pair of wrestling shoes, Williams unloaded a high kick that landed square on Coleman's chin and immediately put the former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler to sleep.

Williams set a new standard that night in Alabama in 1998 by becoming the first fighter in UFC history to end a match with a high kick.

3. Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella

Granted, Uriah Hall pulled off this ninja-like technique in an exhibition bout against a fighter who went on to compete in the UFC just once.

But since it's hardly disputable that any KO in The Ultimate Fighter history epitomized brutality and showmanship like Hall’s spinning hook kick on Adam Cella, this moment represents an exception to the rules.

Cella stood still for just a few seconds, and even though he was holding his hands near his chin, he was directly in the wheelhouse of Hall's kick.

Hall tapped into his speed and explosiveness and whipped his heel around the back of Cella's right ear.

Team Sonnen’s Hall not only nailed the low-percentage finishing move but also landed it directly on the button of Cella. The Missouri native lost consciousness and began snoring before hitting the mat, which put a look of concern on Hall's face and prompted the Jamaican to issue an apology.

While Cella eventually awoke and attempted to downplay the finish, none of his fellow teammates were thrilled with the prospect of tangling with Hall.

2. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

It's always tantalizing when the master gets humbled by a younger and rawer student, and in the case of legendary knockout artist Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Gabriel Gonzaga represented that student at UFC 70.

Looked at as a tune-up victim in Cro Cop's quest for UFC heavyweight gold, Gonzaga sent shock waves through the MMA world by flattening Filipovic with the very technique that made the Croatian notorious.

Gonzaga patiently waited for Cro Cop to drop his left hand, and when he did, the Brazilian pancaked the former Pride champ with a right high kick that wrapped around the back of his head.

Cro Cop collapsed after taking Gonzaga's shin flush to his head, suffering minor injuries to the ankle and knee that got folded up during the fall.

The loss marked just the second KO in Cro Cop's storied MMA career. He subsequently suffered three straight KO/TKO losses in the UFC between September 2010 and October 2011.

1. Terry Etim vs. Edson Barboza

With approximately three minutes to go in their bout at UFC 142, Terry Etim seemingly had his hands in position to block an Edson Barboza strike.

Unfortunately for the Englishman, however, he didn't react in time to block a kick that was apparently too fast to measure.

Barboza activated his fast-twitch muscle fibers and uncorked a spinning heel kick that found its mark on Etim's jaw. The arms of the former Cage Gladiators lightweight champ immediately went stiff, and he hit the floor like a falling tree.

Several major MMA media outlets, including Sherdog and MMA Valor, gave Barboza "Knockout of the Year" honors for his unforgettable wheel-kick KO.