MMA: The 25 Most Impressive First-Round Knockouts of All Time

Over the past several years, the sport of mixed martial arts has elevated itself into an elite category. It has quickly emerged as the world's fastest-growing sport.

What sets MMA apart from other sports is the real-life, electrifying entertainment that it provides to its fans.

A major part of this entertainment is credited to the knockout. The knockout is arguably the most fascinating thing in all of sports and has put MMA in a league of its own.

What's even better than the knockout blow itself is seeing it done in the very first round of action. Mix martial artists have been knocking opponents out since the sport first hit the stage.

In respect, the following slides display the 25 most impressive first-round knockouts of all time.

Lets take a look...

25. UFC 64: Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin II

It was just Anderson Silva's second career UFC fight when he entered the Octagon at UFC 64.

His challenger was Rich Franklin, who was at the time the middleweight champion of the world.

Silva and Franklin exchanged strikes early in their highly-anticipated bout. It didn't take long until Silva had Franklin in the clinch and began throwing knees.

Franklin was knocked out at 3:59 in the first round.

Silva's knockout ranks 25th on the power rankings.

24. UFC 52: Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture II

Chuck Liddell entered UFC 52 in hopes of seeking revenge on UFC Light Heavyweight champion Randy Couture after a defeat at UFC 43.

The two exchanged strikes early as the Iceman took an early advantage.

Liddell landed the knockout blow just 2:06 into the very first round, marking off arguably the greatest knockout victory of his career.

Liddell's knockout ranks 24th on the power rankings.

23. EliteXC Destiny: Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett vs. KJ Noons

Charles Bennett, better known as the "Krazy Horse," was set to square off against KJ Noons at EliteXC Destiny in hopes of getting his sub-par career back on track.

Action was heated early as both of these fighters remained on their feet. At one point or another in the first round, each stepped in and swung for the knockout.

It wasn't until 3:43 in the first round when Bennett landed a one-punch blow that sent Noons to the floor and left him victorious.

Bennett's knockout ranks 23rd on the power rankings.

22. UFC Fight Night 5: Anderson Silva vs. Chris Leben

In Anderson Silva's UFC debut at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5, he took on heavy slugger Chris Leben.

Leben approached Silva early in the fight but failed to land any blows. Silva, on the other hand, was nearly perfect in his strike attempts.

Silva landed a blow that knocked Leben down, but he returned to his feet. Silva then connected on a high knee that knocked Leben out for good.

Silva's knockout ranks 22nd on the power rankings.

21. UFC 102: Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia

Nate Marquardt and Demian Maia squared off at UFC 102 in what would be one of the quickest knockouts in mixed martial arts history.

Marquardt went towards Maia just seconds into the fight. He connected just one blow that put Maia flat on his back.

It was just 21 seconds into the first round when Marquardt landed the fatal blow.

Marquardt's knockout ranks 21st on the power rankings.

20. UFC Versus 4: Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry

Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry met at UFC Live on Versus 4 in what turned out to be one of the best knockouts of 2011 and of all time.

Barry took advantage early in Round 1 and sent Kongo to the ground. Kongo recovered and returned to his feet only to be knocked down again.

The fight was over when Kongo landed a strike that knocked out Barry for good at just 2:39 in the first round.

Kongo's knockout ranks 20th on the power rankings.

19. UFC 90: Junior Dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum

In Junior Dos Santos' UFC debut he took on mixed martial arts veteran Fabricio Werdum at UFC 90.

It didn't take long for Dos Santos to make a statement and let the heavyweight division know that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Dos Santos landed an electrifying uppercut that landed center face on Werdum. The blow sent Werdum down as Dos Santos unloaded on him.

The fight was stopped at 1:21 in the first round.

Dos Santo's knockout ranks 19th on the power rankings.

18. UFC 110 Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Nogueira

Cain Velasquez entered UFC 110 undefeated and on an absolute rampage on track to his first UFC heavyweight title shot.

The man standing in his way was Antonio Noguiera. The two began throwing strikes early, but Noguiera's were noneffective.

Velasquez landed a huge blow and pounded Noguiera to victory. The impressive knockout came at just 2:20 in the first round.

Velasquez's knockout ranks 18th on the power rankings.

17. Pride Bushido 3: Takanori Gomi vs. Ralph Gracie

Japanese mixed martial artist Takanori Gomi met Ralph Gracie in what would be the fastest knockout in Pride FC history at Pride Bushido 3.

Gomi quickly went after Gracie and landed five blows in a matter of six seconds.

One of the six blows knocked Gracie out for good and gave Gomi his 16th career victory.

Gomi's knockout ranks 17th on the power rankings.

16. UFC 123: B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes

It had been over four years since B.J. Penn lost to Matt Hughes at UFC 63. He finally got to revenge his loss when the two UFC greats met at UFC 123.

Penn came out firing away on Hughes and sent Hughes down early.

The Prodigy finished Hughes at just 0:21 in the first round, giving Hughes his most embarrassing defeat of his career.

Penn's knockout ranks 16th on the power rankings.

15. Strikeforece Miami: Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef

Robbie Lawler entered Strikeforce Miami after one of his worst defeats against Jake Shields. His opponent was Melvin Manhoef.

Manhoef came out and dominated the bout early. He actually injured Lawler with his nonstop leg kicks and strikes.

Lawler was all but knocked out before he landed a huge right, knocking down Manhoef. He finished him from there, marking off arguably the greatest comeback and knockout of his career.

Lawler knocked out Manhoef at 3:33 in the first round.

Lawler's knockout ranks 15th on the power rankings.

14. Pride Total Elimination 03: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Igor Vovchanchyn

Igor Vivchanchyn entered Pride Total Elimination 2003 looking for his 50th career mixed martial arts victory.

His opponent was highly dangerous Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, who, at the time, was on an absolute tear in his career.

Vivchanchyn and Cro Cop engaged in action early before Vivchanchyn fell from a massive head kick that knocked him out for good.

Cro Cop landed the head kick at just 1:29 in the first round.

Cro Cop's knockout ranks 14th on the power rankings.

13. UFC 92: Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva III

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who had been defeated by Wanderlei Silva both times they previously met, revenged his defeats at UFC 92.

It was about three minutes into action when things got heated and Jackson began firing away on Silva. He landed a blow that sent Silva packing.

Rampage unloaded on Silva as the fight was stopped at 3:21 in the first round.

Jackson's knockout ranks 13th on the power rankings.

12. UFC 34: B.J. Penn vs. Caol Uno

B.J. Penn and Caol Uno squared off at UFC 34 in what would end up being the fastest knockout of Penn's career.

Penn took Uno down the second the bell rang and finished him from there.

Uno seemed almost helpless as Penn just unleashed on him. Penn landed five strikes in a matter of 11 seconds when the fight was called.

Penn's knockout ranks 12th on the power rankings.

11. UFC 56: Rich Franklin vs. Nate Quarry

Rich Franklin and Nate Quarry met at UFC 56 in one of the most exciting fights of 2005.

Franklin wasted no time and went after Quarry early and often. Quarry landed noneffective strikes as Franklin continued to set the pace.

About halfway through Round 1, Franklin landed a strike that dropped Quarry to the ground. The knockout came at 2:34 in the first round.

Franklin's knockout ranks 11th on the power rankings.

10. Pride Final Conflict Absolute 2006: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei Silva

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Wanderlei Silva met at Pride Final Conflict Absolute 2006 after their first bout ended in a draw.

The grudge match also sent the winner to the Pride Grand Prix Finals as the two engaged in battle.

Cro Cop led the way, landing strikes and kicks to the body of Silva.

At 5:22 in the first round, Cro Cop sent Silva to the ground with a massive head kick. Silva was out for good.

Cro Cop's knockout ranks 10th on the power rankings.

9. Affliction Day of Reckoning: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski

World class mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko was lined up to face Andrei Arlovski in arguably the biggest fight of 2009.

The two stayed on their feet early and tested each other, just waiting for a chance to land the finishing blow.

Arlovski went after Emelianenko and landed a leg kick in the corner of the ring. Seconds later Arlovski went in for the knockout when Emelianenko landed an amazing blow, knocking out Arlovski.

Emelianenko's knockout ranks ninth on the power rankings.

8. KOTC Strike Point: Daron Cruickshank vs. Ricky Stettner

It was Daron Cruickshank's mixed martial artist debut when he displayed one of the most impressive knockouts in the history of MMA.

His opponent, Rick Stettner, was attempting to test Cruickshank's timing when he was dropped out cold by a spinning back fist.

It was one of the greatest spinning back fists of all time and knocked Stettner out at 2:23 in the first round.

Cruickshank's knockout ranks eighth on the power rankings.

7. Pride Final Conflict 03': Wanderlei Silva vs. Rampage Jackson

In one of the most exciting fights of all time at the Middleweight Grand Prix Finals, Wanderlei Silva and Rampage Jackson met for the first time.

It appeared Silva almost submitted Jackson early until action went back to the standup.

Jackson took control and was landing numerous strikes on Silva until Silva went on an absolute rampage landing knee after knee.

The final blow came when Silva struck Jackson with a raising knee at 6:28 in the first round.

Silva's knockout ranks seventh on the power rankings.

6. UFC 17.5: Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva received his second career mixed martial arts defeat when he met Vitor Belfort at UFC 17.5 in Brazil.

It was Belfort's debut at the light heavyweight division when he went postal on Silva.

It was just 0:44 into the first round when Belfort landed one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history. The blow sent Silva to the ground for good.

Belfort's knockout earns sixth on the power rankings.

5. WEC 41: Jose Aldo vs. Cub Swanson

Jose Aldo looked to continue his rampage in the featherweight division and move closer towards a title shot when he faced Cub Swanson at WEC 41.

Aldo rushed toward Swanson the second the bout began and landed a flying knee, immediately sending Swanson to the ground.

Helplessly, Swanson endured rapid blows from Aldo before the fight was stopped at just eight seconds into the first round.

Aldo's knockout ranks fifth on the power rankings.

4. UFC 101: Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin

Anderson Silva agreed to fight a catch weight bout when he took on Forrest Griffin at UFC 101.

Griffin put up almost no fight as Silva taunted him and even dropped his gloves throughout the first couple of minutes of the fight.

Griffin pushed towards Silva when Silva took a step back and landed a jab that dropped Griffin.

It was the most embarrassing fight of Griffin's career as the knockout came at 3:23 in the first round.

Silva's knockout ranks fourth on the power rankings.

3. UFC 126: Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort

Anderson Silva entered UFC 126 not having lost a fight in over five years. His opponent, Vitor Belfort, was on a five-fight win streak and looked to take out the middleweight champion.

Silva and Belfort tested the waters early as neither fighter made a commitment to attack the other.

When Belfort let his hands down, Silva took advantage.

At 3:25 in the first round Silva connected on one of the greatest kicks in UFC history, knocking out Belfort.

Silva's knockout ranks third on the power rankings.

2. UFC 70: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko Cro Cop

Gabriel Gonzaga and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic squared off in what would end in arguably the greatest knockout kick of all time.

Gonzaga dominated action early as he took Cro Cop down. Cro Cop managed to get the fight back on their feet when he received one of his own kicks.

The high kick immediately dropped Cro Cop, and he has never been the same. The knockout came at 4:51 in the first round.

Gonzaga's knockout ranks second on the power rankings.

1. Pride Critical Countdown 2004: Rampage Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson met Ricardo Arona at Pride Critical Countdown 2004 in what would end up being arguably the greatest knockout in the history of mixed martial arts.

Jackson and Arona circled the ring when Jackson entered in on Arona. He took Arona down and looked to finish on the ground.

Arona attempted to submit Jackson when things went wrong. Jackson, still on top, lifted Arona into the air and over his head.

Jackson body slammed Arona to the ground and knocked him out immediately.

Jackson's knockout ranks first in the power rankings.