MMA: The Most Embarassing Knockouts in History

The Knockout. It happens to almost every fighter at least once in their career, sometimes its just that the opponent was stronger, quicker, more technical, etc.

However, sometimes the fighter embarrasses themself by getting knocked out by an opponent several levels below them, or by initiating tactics so incredibly insane it keeps you scratching your head in disbelief for days.

Here are the knockouts that should have made the recipients hide their faces in shame.

1. Andrei Arlovski Vs Fedor Emelianenko

You all knew this one was coming. Andrei Arlovski, for the most part, was using a very smart, calculated game plan against the seemingly (at the time) invincible Fedor Emelianenko. Arlovski pressured Fedor to the corner of the ring.

Could it be that Arlovski would finally be the one to dethrone the cyborg?

Then, all of a sudden, Arlvoski made a move that still haunts him to this day.

For some reason he thought he was Jose Aldo, and leaped in the air for a flying knee. He did so without guarding his ever so unstable chin, and the rest is history.

While in midair, Arlovski was caught by Fedor's overhand right, and down to the canvas he went—face first, out cold.

Oh Arlovski, you never had a chin, but on this night you lost your mind as well.

Anderson Silva Vs Forrest Griffin.

At UFC 101 the middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, moved up a weight class to face former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

Griffin, who was in the infamous war with Stephan Bonnar, and who shocked many people by upsetting Rampage Jackson for the belt, would no doubt bring the fight to Silva and create a war for the ages.

Then the fight started. About three minutes into the first round, Silva, who apparently didn't know The Matrix was a work of fiction, slipped Griffin's punches in the most brash way possible, and then put the former champ down for the count. Seriously, it wasn't even like he was trying, and for some reason, I don't think he was.

Griffin, considered an elite fighter in the UFC, was handled by Silva like a child. How do you know a knockout is embarrassing? When the victim can't even face the crowd at the end of it.

Mirko Cro Cop Vs Bob Sapp

This was really wasn't an MMA fight, but I had to put it in.

In 2003, Mirko Cro Cop, one of the most devastating strikers in history, would face Bob Sapp, one of the most devastating publicity stunts in history.

Sapp completely out muscled and out sized the smaller Cro Cop.  But this wasn't a mixed martial arts fight. If it was, Sapp probably would have had a better chance at winning. However, this was a kickboxing match.

As the fight started, Sapp bull rushed and pressured the Croatian, which was a very intelligent tactic considering his size advantage. However, with one left straight from Mirko, the fight was over.

The embarrassment from this fight doesn't come from the way Bob was knocked out, but rather his reaction during the knockout.

He cried.

As a matter of fact, he didn't even really get knocked out. When the punch lands, Sapp is still very conscious. But then he starts tearing up, lays himself down and continues to mope in pain.

Listen, I realize Cro Cop broke Sapp's orbital bone, and I also realize that must have been extremely painful. But come on, there's no crying in fighting, ever.

Todd Duffee Vs Mike Russow

Coming into UFC 114, Todd Duffee was one of the most talked about prospects in the heavyweight division. He was coming off his previous fight in which he garnered the fastest knockout in UFC history. His opponent for this match was Mike Russow. Who was this out of shape fighter named Mike Russow? Exactly.

Russow was considered just another victim in the rise of Todd Duffee to the top of the heap.

Duffee controlled the fight for the first two-and-half rounds. Then, in the middle of the third round, Russow landed a straight right hand that knocked Duffee out cold.

The embarrassment from this fight comes from how incredibly over-hyped Duffee was. He was considered the future of the division by some, even the next Brock Lesnar. To be knocked out cold by someone put in front of him with the purpose of losing to him...makes it that much worse.

If there is anything I've learned from watching up-and-coming prospects, its don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Tim Sylvia Vs Ray Mercer

Tim Sylvia, 34-years-old, former UFC heavyweight champion.

Ray Mercer, 49-years-old, former boxing champion with pretty much no MMA experience.

Please, read that a few more times so it sinks in.

The fight between the two was originally supposed to be a boxing match, but at the last second was changed to a mixed martial arts fight. There was no doubt that Sylvia had the advantage. He was the former UFC champ for god's sake.

Mercer was just a washed up old boxer whose only other fight in a cage was an exhibition loss to Kimbo Slice. Sylvia was just too experienced and well rounded to lose to a washed up one dimensional boxer, right?

Wrong.

Only a few seconds in the first round, Sylvia landed a leg kick. That would be his only offense in the fight. Immediately afterward, Mercer landed a quick straight right that sent Sylvia falling down to the canvas like a pine tree.

Tim Sylvia, former UFC heavyweight champion.

Conclusion

Well that's it for this article, I hoped you enjoyed.

Were there any others that you think should have been added to the list? Please let me know in the comments.