12 Most Brutal MMA Knockouts

MMA is a great sport for many reasons, but the free-for-all brutality is definitely a plus. The fights nearly always have a moment that just wreaks of savagery, and in the pent-up world we live in today, that’s golden. The downside to the sport is the countless, long minutes of posturing that lead up to the possibility of a truly great knockout. These 12 KO’s all bring tremendous violence, usually in a ridiculously short amount of time. Enjoy.

Rashad Evans vs Sean Salmon

In early 2007, Rashad Evans squared up to Sean Salmon in UFC Fight Night 8. The fight wound up just as ominous for Evans as it was victorious, since it didn’t take long for crowds to start turning on him after he dropped Salmon with a high-kick to the face. The crowds were thrilled at that part — it was the ground blows and “I just stole your wallet” runaway he pulled after the blow that got more jeers than cheers. He got his comeuppance when Machida shamed him unconscious and left him in a heap.

Anthony Johnson vs Kevin Burns

Anthony Johnson and Kevin Burns met up to settle a grudge match in the season finale of Ultimate Fighter 8. Johnson was out for revenge in a big way, and he got it — in the form of a surprise knockout in round 3. He landed a kick in Burns’ face that surely reminded him why he shouldn’t go poking his thumb in other guys’ eyes.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson toed up to Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92. This was a clash of the titans — both men are beasts, but only one of them was going to win this fight. Watch at about 3:38, when Jackson obliterates Silva after sneaking in a left from under. He doesn’t stop there either, and pounds the poor bastard into the mat pretty thoroughly before he’s pushed away.

James Irvin vs Terry Martin

At UFC 54, James Irvin and Terry Martin squared off for the light heavyweight bout that neither would ever forget. At least, Irvin can’t ever forget it, but Martin may only remember it from the stories people tell him about it. Irvin opened up the fight with a running mid-air double knee-to-face blitz, leaving Martin piled unconscious on the floor.

Todd Duffee vs Tim Hague

How quickly can a fight be over? Todd Duffee got together with Tim Hague at UFC 102 not too long ago to find out. The answer, amazingly enough, is seven seconds, because that’s how long it took Duffee to beat Hague into a senseless pulp.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs Gabriel Gonzaga

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic faced off against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70 in what would be known as one of the single most painful KO’s ever watched on TV. To sum it up, Gonzaga knocked the sense out of Filipovic in the first round, leaving him to crumple to the floor on his own leg, causing his foot to face the entirely wrong direction. It’s disturbing to see his leg, but he surprisingly only suffered minor injury to his ankle.

Chris Clements vs Lautaro Tucas

In one of the most impressive KO’s of our time, Chris Clements set a record for speed when he savagely ripped Lautaro Tucas out of mid-air and pummeled him on the mat. Tucas made the mistake of attempting a rush at opening bell, only to find himself in a gurney some time later.

Aleksander Emelianenko vs James “The Colossus” Thompson

This is easily one of the most amusing fights to watch in history, for how short it is — Aleksander Emelianenko, looking as though he’s bored to tears, faces a severely pissed-off James “The Colossus” Thompson at Pride back in late 2004. Thompson makes the mistake of wading into Emelianenko in a flurry of rushes and punches, but he only succeeded in pissing him off. He got handled pretty quickly after that.

Neil Grove vs James “The Colossus” Thompson

We couldn’t help ourselves, but seeing a guy who refers to himself as “The Colossus” get his ass handed to him not once, but twice in this list is just too fun to pass on. Neil Grove met him at Cage Rage 22, and within 10 seconds found himself face-down, on the mat.

Chris “Red Bull” Willems vs Akoni Nakila

Chris “Red Bull” Willems took on Akoni Nakila at Rumble on the Rock: Beatdown IV, and Nakila immediately regretted it. The fight only lasted less than nine seconds, and the young upstart got a quick boost in fame and glory.

Sami Berik vs Mark Smith

At Cage Rage: Contenders 8, Sami Berik took on Mark Smith. Young as they were, these guys were playing for keeps — when Berik’s assault grounded Smith, it left him convulsing for minutes afterwards.

Takanori Gomi vs Ralph Gracie

Ralph Gracie fought Takanori Gomi at Pride Bushido 3. Gomi wasted no time at all planting his knee in Gracie’s head. This fight was over before it started, and it still hurts to look at.