The 411 MMA Year-End Awards 1.23.12: Part Six - The Best Knockouts of 2011

Posted by Larry Csonka on 01.23.2012

From Anderson Silva's Front Kick vs. Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson’s KO vs. Fedor Emelianenko to Travis Browne's Superman Punch vs. Stefan Struve and more, the 411 staff continues their year-end awards by breaking down the top 5 knockouts of the year 2011!



Welcome:
Welcome back to the MMA Top 5, year-end awards edition! What we are going to is take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 MMA will have the ability to give us their Top 5 on said topic, and the end, based on where all of these topics rank on people's list, we will create an overall Top 5 list. It looks a little like this…

1st - 5
2nd - 4
3rd - 3
4th - 2
5th - 1

At the end we tally the scores and get our overall top 5! It's highly non-official and final, like WAMMA. What we are going to do over the next few weeks is run the column twice a week to crown our best of 2011. From best and worst fight to best fighter and KO of the year, the staff will come together to share out best. Thanks for joining us, and lets get down to work.


And now…



THE BEST KNOCKOUTS OF 2011!


Jonathan Solomon
5. Carlos Condit's Flying Knee vs. Dong Hyun Kim, UFC 132 - Carlos Condit had knocked out his previous two opponents heading into UFC 132 last summer to fight the undefeated Dong Hyun Kim. Stun Gun Kim went for his specialty early, taking Condit down but it would not suffice. Condit pulled off an amazing sweep to get on top and attempted a guillotine choke. It did not work as they returned to their feet. Carlos Condit threw a head kick, which missed but created enough distance that allowed him to jump and land a beauty of a flying knee. It nailed Kim in the head, dropping him and the conclusion of the fight came seconds later after a barrage of strikes. MORE FLYING FINISHES~!

4. Sam Stout's Left Hook vs. Yves Ewards, UFC 131 - If you want to see a clean, crisp, devastating knockout then look no further. In his home country, Sam Stout put Yves Edwards to sleep at UFC 131. The particular sequence of events saw Edwards land a right hand moments before Stout countered with a left hand that knocked Edwards out cold. It was one of those 'you know he's out' moments so after landing the shot, Stout stopped himself from delivering further shots and celebrated his victory.

3. Patricky Freire's Flying Knee vs. Toby Imada, Bellator 39 - Toby Imada is a hell of a fighter and much fun to watch. However, he's a bit of a gatekeeper in Bellator, especially after losing in the finals of both the 2009 and 2010 lightweight tournaments. In 2011, he returned for his third shot and met Patricky Pitbull Freire in the semifinals. A couple minutes into the first round, Pitbull launched himself into the air with a flying knee that landed flush on Toby's chin. The lights were off but he was still standing until Freire landed a couple of strikes, which ended the fight. It was as crisp a flying knee as you will see in MMA and it ended the fight. Remember, Imada had not been knocked out since 2006 and was 15-4 since then. Pitbull's power could not be denied.

2. Travis Browne's Superman Punch vs. Stefan Struve, UFC 130 - At 6'7, there are not many times when Travis Browne will be giving up a few inches in height during a fight. At UFC 130, this was one of those times because he was fighting 6'11 Stefan Struve. In the first round, after scoring a takedown, Browne had to defend against a couple choke attempts. Once back on the feet, he made sure that would be the last time Struve had a chance to submit him. He threw a superman punch that not only actually landed, but knocked Struve out cold. It's not too often when you see a superman punch land but this was textbook.

1. Anderson Silva's Front Kick vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC 126 The intensity in this match-up was palpable in the days leading up to it. Whether the rumors of personal beefs between the two were true or not, when they stepped into the cage in February, everyone watched intently. The fight itself began slow as both men were cautious and feeling each other out. Belfort in particular, was perhaps too cautious (in hindsight, it's easy to say) as he was playing the waiting game. Eventually, Anderson threw a front kick that could not have landed any better. Belfort went down like a sack of bricks and minutes into the fight, Silva won by knockout. The images of Silva kicking Belfort in the face and ending his night will be remembered for a long time.

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Robert Winfree
5. Sam Stout vs. Yves Edwards UFC 131 - This is about as picture perfect a left hook as you will see in MMA. Stout waited on Yves to commit to a punch and threw a beautiful counter that left the veteran Edwards unconscious on the canvas.

4. Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim UFC 132 - Coming into this fight Kim was undefeated and a strong grappler, while Condit was really making a case for a title shot. Most of us were picking Condit, but none of us picked him via FLYING KNEE KO!!! Condit landed a perfectly timed flying knee that saw the Korean crumble against the cage. Great knock out.

3. Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve UFC 130 - Stefan Struve, for as hot and cold as he is, never fails to entertain. Granted in his case it was by falling over after being punched in the face, but it was still entertaining. Browne and Struve were trading shots in bursts until Browne faked a leg kick and came with a superman punch that knocked the Skyscraper out cold.

2. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort UFC 126 - Sweet heavens what a knock out this was. Silva and Belfort created genuine intensity leading up to the title fight in Brazil, and given Vitors fast and powerful hands many expected fireworks between the two. It took a while for either man to engage, but once Silva had a feel for Belford's stance and timing it was all over. In a split second Anderson launched a front kick to the face that landed perfectly under Vitor's chin that knocked him out cold. The image of that kick will live in highlight reels forever.

1. Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture UFC 129 - Why this one over the Anderson/Vitor KO? Simple reasoning really. If you told an MMA fan that a fighter had been KO'd with a front kick to the face they'd immediately assume it was Anderson Silva. We aren't shocked when Silva does something that extra ordinary because he's done it so many times before. Did anyone think he would KO Vitor with a front kick? No. But if anyone could KO their opponent with a front kick it would be Anderson Silva. When Lyoto Machida used a jumping front kick to KO hall of famer Randy Couture it was shocking. No one expected a technique like that from Machida, least of all Randy Couture. Couture is also higher level competition than Belfort, and seeing someone not known for highlight reel KO's perform one against Couture, it gets my nod as KO of the year.

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Scott Kuczkowski
5. Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson - Going into this bout, I knew this was going to be a bad matchup for Fedor, just because of the power in Henderson's right hand, his ability to keep the fight on the feet, and his own tough chin. After a few minutes of wild swinging from both guys, Henderson forced a scramble after which he landed an uppercut under Fedor's arm that put him down and out, knocking the Russian out cold for the first time in his career.

4. Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture< at UFC 129 - In what was going to be Randy Couture's last fight, he hoped to solve the Machida puzzle and go out with a win. For two rounds Randy tried to box Machida in and take the fight to the ground, but he just couldn't do it. In the second round, Machida timed Randy moving in and knocked him out with a jumping front kick, reminiscent of the Crane Kick from the Karate Kid movies. Easy Knockout of the Night performance.

3. Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro at Bellator 48 -



2. Patricky Freire vs. Toby Imada at Bellator 39 -



1. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 - Vitor Belfort was supposed to be the striker that would finally challenge Anderson Silva on the feet. After a couple of brief exchanges, Silva dropped Belfort like fourth period French Class with a front kick to his chin that looked like it almost took his head off his body. A couple of punches on the ground for good measure ended the bout and Belfort's quest for the Middleweight Title.

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Stewart Lange
5. Lyoto Machida Over Randy Couture - When I lobbied hard to be able to put Rashad Evans being knocked out by Machida on this list, only to be thwarted by Larry due to the fact it "wasn't this year" (details), I decided upon the coolest knockout of the "Dragon's" career. He relieved Randy Couture of both his front tooth and career with his stunning crane kick.

4. Carlos Condit Over Dong Hyun Kim UFC 132 - I do love a knockout that literally smashes the victim loopy, but I honestly thought Condit had killed the "Stun Gun" with this insane flying knee. The Korean was done for the night after this shot, the follow up punches were just pudding.

3. Jonny Hendricks Over Jon Fitch - With the most significant left hand of the year, Jonny Hendricks the long time Welterweight bridesmaid Jon Fitch from his position at the #2 spot. It was literally the first punch Hendricks threw in the fight that caught Fitch and was thrown with such force he needed his hand medically examined. Generally, it's good to have a fight before a knockout, but this one was so significant and picture perfect we can forget the lack of action.

2. Anderson Silva Over Vito Belfort - This kick was simply incredible to watch. It came from nowhere and you can see the split second it lands that Belfort realizes he's going to be out by the time he hits the floor. The scariest thing is that Anderson made it look as easy and nonchalant as his knockout of Forrest Griffin.

1. Travis Browne Over Stefan Struve - You know, until a few days ago this would have only made it to number 3 or 4 on this list, but I've re-watched it a few times now and BOY does Struve go out like a light here. The good thing for the fans with regards to Struve and his height is that when he goes down, he goes down BIG. I've watched this a number of times, it doesn't get old and it's just the most perfectly landed superman punch I've seen in a long, long time.

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Jeffrey Harris
5. Brian Stann vs. Chris Leben - Chris Leben was coming off one of the most impressive runs quite possibly in MMA ever or at least for his career. Brian Stann was reinventing himself at middleweight and was gaining a lot of fans and traction due to his gentlemanly and patriotic demeanor as well as his background as a US marine. Stann came in really strong and knocked out Leben, which caused everyone to start taking notice of the armed forced veteran.

4. Lyoto Machida Over Randy Couture - Just two months before we had seen the epic front kick by Anderson Silva to Belfort and it not long after we saw it yet again. With apparent credited help from Steven Seagal, Machida channeled The Karate Kid and did the crane kick that was so hard that it knocked off part of Captain America's tooth. Machida got a much-needed win over an MMA legend and the atmosphere for this fight was amazing. the visual especially in the slow motion replay of the kick was something else.

3. Anderson Silva vs. Vito Belfort - UFC 126 - Since dropping to middleweight, many MMA fans had called for this bout. Belfort at 185 looked like he could be a serious threat to Anderson Silva for the title with his heavy hands. The face off before the fight was interesting and it looked like maybe the mind games by Anderson Silva were already starting to take affect. The fight took a little while to get going and it almost looked like maybe we were going to see another UFC 112 style debacle, but Silva then ended things quickly with a swift front kick to the face that soon got the fight stopped. It was jaw dropping because rarely if ever had we seen a fight get stopped or end this way.

2. Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch - UFC 141 - In just 12 seconds, Hendricks did what no fighter in the UFC had ever been able to do before and that is to stop and finish Jon Fitch. Hendricks exposed another problem with Fitch's game. He made it through Fitch's defense and dropped Fitch with a powerful punch. Fitch was clearly out after another punch when he hit the ground. Fitch was so stunned he pulled guard and attempted to wrestle referee Steve Mazzagatti showing the stoppage was just. This was a moment for the ages.

1. Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson - In terms of best knockouts of 2011, this one absolutely takes the cake. This was a historic fight since many had this fight in mind at one point when both guys were in Pride. Many believed for a long time that Fedor should've attempted a cut down to 205 lbs., but that never panned out. Dan Henderson still came into this fight basically a light heavyweight with Fedor still the heavyweight. Both guys came ready to bang, and even Fedor looked like he stunned Henderson at the outset. However, Henderson's legendary toughness and chin came through as he managed to scramble and get Fedor's back. One patented uppercut later and it was all over for The Last Emperor. It was a historic fight as Hendo had finally vanquished the legend that was Fedor perhaps for good. Hendo proved he is one of the best knockout artists in the business and his right hand is one of the deadliest and most dangerous weapons in the business.

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Wyatt Beougher
5. Alexis Vila vs. Joe Warren - Earlier in the Bellator 51 broadcast, Eduardo Dantas used a beautiful flying knee (and some punches) to finish off Wilson Reis, and I, doing live coverage for 411, declared it to be the knockout of the night. Minutes later (most of them commercial minutes), Alexis Vila proved me wrong, knocking Joe Warren absolutely STIFF, ending the Featherweight champion's bantamweight tournament hopes in 1:04.

4. Carlos Condit vs. Dong-hyun Kim - I actually didn't think Condit would win this fight, as Kim was on a tear, but Condit surprised me, and Kim, with a flying knee, following it up with some punches and ending the Stun Gun's unbeaten UFC streak.

3. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort - Coming into this fight, it seemed like a lot of people were giving Belfort a chance at dethroning the champion; however, those people must've never seen Belfort in a high pressure fight before. As always, Belfort came up small, but I can't think of a time where he was so clearly, or so devastatingly, finished.

2. Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko - While this wasn't really on-par with Henderson's "H-Bomb" knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100 (probably my favorite knockout of all time), you can't overlook Henderson's through-the-armpit uppercut, a punch that likely ended the US career of the most accomplished heavyweight of all time.

1. Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture - If you've read anything I've written for 411, you know Randy Couture is my favorite fighter of all-time. His debut is the reason I kept watching the UFC, as he re-ignited my love of the sport, but I have to give credit where credit is due - Machida ended Randy's career in spectacular fashion, and I think the Natural went out on his shield like a true warrior. Sure, it was another reason to dislike the odd, urine-drinking Machida, but it was a tremendous knockout nonetheless. I had a hard time deciding whether this or the Silva/Belfort knockout would be number one, but I ultimately decided on this one because Silva knocked out a guy who can't win under pressure, and Machida knocked out a guy who made his career by winning fights no one gave him a chance in.

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Alex Watt
5. Travis Browne Vs. Stefan Struve - Superman punch – UFC 130 - Browne was giving up about 4 inches in height in this fight so perhaps it's not surprising that he had to use a jumping technique to finish "Skyscraper". Browne faked a leg kick then leapt forward with a superman punch, connecting perfectly to the chin of Struve. It made for an incredible visual as the gigantic Struve crashed to the mat, unconscious.

4. Carlos Condit Vs. Dong Hyun Kim - Flying knee – UFC 132 - This was expected to be a closely fought contest as both looked to make a case for a UFC title shot. Instead, it ended in the first round as Condit timed "Stun Gun" perfectly and leapt up with a beautiful flying knee. The image of Hyun Kim crashing to the canvas, eyes rolling back in his head, as "The Natural Born Killer" pounced on his fallen foe is a memorable one, to say the least.

3. John Makdessi Vs. Kyle Watson - Spinning back fist – UFC 129 - This one came on the preliminary portion of the Toronto card so perhaps that is why my fellow writers seem to have forgotten about it. Still, it stands as one of the most impressive KOs of the year as Makdessi landed one of the slickest spinning back fists seen since Shonie Carter Vs. Matt Serra (2001 if you were wondering) and Watson crumpled to the mat.

2. Lyoto Machida Vs. Randy Couture - Crane kick – UFC 129 - In Couture's last ever fight, we saw a memorable highlight reel moment. Sadly though, it was "The Natural" who ended up being on the receiving end. Couture struggled to work out Machida's movement throughout the fight and in round 2 Machida leapt up and faked a kick with one leg before pushing his other foot into the chin of Couture. The kick knocked out one of Couture's teeth and signaled the end of a storied career. Essentially a souped up version of my number 1 choice for this award, this was simply awesome. It's even more incredible when you see it in slow motion.

1. Anderson Silva Vs. Vitor Belfort - Front kick – UFC 126 - I went back and forth on whether to put this front kick at No. 1 or Machida's crane kick. Ultimately, since this was the first true example of an effective front kick knockout in MMA, I opted for Silva's. After all, at the time, we had never seen anything like it. The fight as a whole was a very slow and cautious affair but three minutes in and the defending middleweight champ had figured out Belfort's timing. Silva's understanding of distance is the best we have ever seen in MMA and this kick was the perfect example of that. In an instant, Silva threw his left leg into the air and connected perfectly to the chin of "The Phenom", in what is one of the most impressive examples of true Martial Arts technique. As everyone watching went absolutely crazy (watching the fight live I was screaming in disbelief), Belfort collapsed to the mat and two follow up punches from the champ signaled the end of the fight. Silva has had many highlight reel knockouts during his UFC run but this stands as the best of them all. Historic, beautiful and stunning. This kick will forever be included in UFC highlight reels, and rightly so.

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AND 411's BEST KNOCKOUTS OF 2011 ARE…
In the case of a tie, I will break them since I am not involved in the overall voting.



5. Carlos Condit's Flying Knee vs. Dong Hyun Kim, UFC 132 – 9pts.




4. Dan Henderson's KO vs. Fedor Emelianenko at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson – 10pts.




3. Travis Browne's Superman Punch vs. Stefan Struve, UFC 130 – 13pts.




2. Lyoto Machida's Front Kick vs. Randy Couture, UFC 129 – 19pts.




1. Anderson Silva's Front Kick vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC 126 – 28pts.


THE 2011 AWARDS
* The Biggest Story Of 2011: The UFC Signs Broadcast Deal With Fox - 32 pts
* The Most Disappointing Fighter Of 2011: Fedor Emelianenko - 17pts
* The Breakout Fighter Of 2011: Michael Chandler – 36 pts
* The Worst Fight Of 2011: Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum From Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum – 35 pts
* The Best Submission Of 2011: Frank Mir rips off Big Nog's arm at UFC 140 – 25pts
* The Best KO Of 2011: . Anderson Silva's Front Kick vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC 126 – 28pts
* The Best Fight Of 2011: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Come back Thursday when we decide the BEST FIGHT of 2011~!


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