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The violent sport of mixed martial arts is already shocking by nature to many people, but sometimes there are undeniable "holy shit!" incidents that shock even the most desensitized MMA fans. Here are 11 of the most shocking MMA moments of all time.
Paul Daley's Cheap Shot on Josh Koscheck
UFC 113 featured a #1 contender match between Daley and Koscheck (pictured with the silly bleach blonde hair), and as you can see, Koscheck had the upper hand in the fight.
After Daley lost, he walked over to Koscheck to seemingly congratulate him, but instead threw a dirty punch. The ref immediately headlocked Daley and pulled him away, and Dana White fired him from the UFC afterward. See the cheap shot below.
UFC 113 featured a #1 contender match between Daley and Koscheck (pictured with the silly bleach blonde hair), and as you can see, Koscheck had the upper hand in the fight.
After Daley lost, he walked over to Koscheck to seemingly congratulate him, but instead threw a dirty punch. The ref immediately headlocked Daley and pulled him away, and Dana White fired him from the UFC afterward. See the cheap shot below.
The Strange Journey of Kimbo Slice
For those who don't remember, Kimbo Slice was an Internet sensation who became famous for winning street fights. This led to him receiving a contract in 2007 from geniuses at the MMA organization EliteXC, who figured he could be their meal ticket to success. You know, because if you can win street fights in videos posted to YouTube you can undoubtedly win fights against MMA pros in the ring, right? Wrong, but this still didn't stop more geniuses at CBS from reaching an
agreement with EliteXC to air their Kimbo Slice fights in prime-time. Naturally, Kimbo underperformed in his first fight (but still won in controversial fashion), and there was much concern from everyone involved that he was not good enough to be showcased against real MMA guys. Sure enough, in his next fight he was matched up against an unknown replacement fighter named Seth Petruzelli...and was knocked out in 14 seconds. This brought an end to the Kimbo Slice sham and EliteXC as a whole
For those who don't remember, Kimbo Slice was an Internet sensation who became famous for winning street fights. This led to him receiving a contract in 2007 from geniuses at the MMA organization EliteXC, who figured he could be their meal ticket to success. You know, because if you can win street fights in videos posted to YouTube you can undoubtedly win fights against MMA pros in the ring, right? Wrong, but this still didn't stop more geniuses at CBS from reaching an
agreement with EliteXC to air their Kimbo Slice fights in prime-time. Naturally, Kimbo underperformed in his first fight (but still won in controversial fashion), and there was much concern from everyone involved that he was not good enough to be showcased against real MMA guys. Sure enough, in his next fight he was matched up against an unknown replacement fighter named Seth Petruzelli...and was knocked out in 14 seconds. This brought an end to the Kimbo Slice sham and EliteXC as a whole
Mike Brown Upsets Urijah Faber
When Mike Brown stepped into the ring to face WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber, everyone thought he would be a decent challenger, but merely a small test for Faber. Faber, after all, was on a roll and had an amazing 21-1 record. He was viewed as being a level above everyone else. Well, the 33-year-old Brown didn't buy into that, and only needed a little more than two minutes to finish Faber off, win the title, and shock the MMA world.
When Mike Brown stepped into the ring to face WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber, everyone thought he would be a decent challenger, but merely a small test for Faber. Faber, after all, was on a roll and had an amazing 21-1 record. He was viewed as being a level above everyone else. Well, the 33-year-old Brown didn't buy into that, and only needed a little more than two minutes to finish Faber off, win the title, and shock the MMA world.
Anderson Silva is considered by many, including UFC president Dana White, to be the greatest mixed martial artist ever. His nickname is "The Spider," due to his sneaky attack style and freakishly long limbs. When Vitor Belfort faced Silva at UFC 126, he got a nice taste of those long limbs in the form of a brutal front kick to the face. It is perhaps the most electrifying UFC highlight of all time.
Dan Henderson Destroys Michael Bisping
The majority of fans consider this to be the most epic knockout of all time. Henderson landed a ferocious right hook to the chin of Bisping that knocked him out cold. Then, just for good measure (as you can see from the picture), Henderson jumped on top of Bisping and landed another face bomb. What makes it even more epic and delightful is that Bisping is a British a-hole who almost nobody likes.
The majority of fans consider this to be the most epic knockout of all time. Henderson landed a ferocious right hook to the chin of Bisping that knocked him out cold. Then, just for good measure (as you can see from the picture), Henderson jumped on top of Bisping and landed another face bomb. What makes it even more epic and delightful is that Bisping is a British a-hole who almost nobody likes.
Frankie Edgar Upsets Legendary B.J. Penn.
At UFC 112, which was their debut show in the United Arab Emirates, Edgar was going up against a man known as "The Prodigy." Penn was the longtime UFC lightweight champion and had actually not lost a lightweight match in more than eight years. Even more amazing, he had not even been taken down in a lightweight fight in six years. All of those streaks came to an end after the five-round championship bout, when Edgar won in a unanimous decision.
At UFC 112, which was their debut show in the United Arab Emirates, Edgar was going up against a man known as "The Prodigy." Penn was the longtime UFC lightweight champion and had actually not lost a lightweight match in more than eight years. Even more amazing, he had not even been taken down in a lightweight fight in six years. All of those streaks came to an end after the five-round championship bout, when Edgar won in a unanimous decision.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Motorboats Female Reporter
There are numerous crazy stories about the antics of Rampage Jackson, but none are as outrageous as this. After defeating Matt Hamill, Rampage granted an interview to a female reporter as he was on his way to an afterparty. What ensued was pure hilarity, suggestive behavior bordering on sexual harassment, talk about nipple dances and a couple awful/awesome pickup lines.
There are numerous crazy stories about the antics of Rampage Jackson, but none are as outrageous as this. After defeating Matt Hamill, Rampage granted an interview to a female reporter as he was on his way to an afterparty. What ensued was pure hilarity, suggestive behavior bordering on sexual harassment, talk about nipple dances and a couple awful/awesome pickup lines.
The Strikeforce: Nashville Brawl
MMA has been trying for quite some time to break into the mainstream world of sports, and it's making headway these days with the UFC on FOX. But many sports fans still feel it doesn't belong. In April 2010, CBS aired a Strikeforce event in prime-time to try to change the minds of the public, only to have it blow up in their faces when a fight broke out on live national television after the main event had ended. Why did it happen? Well, Jake Shields defeated Dan Henderson, and during
his post-fight interview he was interrupted by a pink-haired Jason Miller asking to get a rematch. Testosterone and douchebaggery then took over, and a full-scale brawl broke out in the ring. CBS was embarrassed, the product Strikeforce was putting out was tainted, and the reputation of MMA as a whole was damaged
MMA has been trying for quite some time to break into the mainstream world of sports, and it's making headway these days with the UFC on FOX. But many sports fans still feel it doesn't belong. In April 2010, CBS aired a Strikeforce event in prime-time to try to change the minds of the public, only to have it blow up in their faces when a fight broke out on live national television after the main event had ended. Why did it happen? Well, Jake Shields defeated Dan Henderson, and during
his post-fight interview he was interrupted by a pink-haired Jason Miller asking to get a rematch. Testosterone and douchebaggery then took over, and a full-scale brawl broke out in the ring. CBS was embarrassed, the product Strikeforce was putting out was tainted, and the reputation of MMA as a whole was damaged
Anderson Silva Barely Escapes With Victory Over Chael Sonnen
We've already touched on the impressive MMA career of Silva, but that doesn't mean everyone likes him. At one point fans were growing tired of his boring, lackluster performances (even though he was winning), and were rooting for him to finally lose. Notorious loudmouth Chael Sonnen was well on his way to making this happen at UFC 117, dominating Silva for four and a half rounds, when Silva miraculously reversed his fortune
by getting Sonnen in a triangle choke. Silva defeated Sonnen via submission with less that two minutes left to go, retaining his middleweight title yet again
We've already touched on the impressive MMA career of Silva, but that doesn't mean everyone likes him. At one point fans were growing tired of his boring, lackluster performances (even though he was winning), and were rooting for him to finally lose. Notorious loudmouth Chael Sonnen was well on his way to making this happen at UFC 117, dominating Silva for four and a half rounds, when Silva miraculously reversed his fortune
by getting Sonnen in a triangle choke. Silva defeated Sonnen via submission with less that two minutes left to go, retaining his middleweight title yet again
Corey Hill Gruesomely Breaks His Leg
There's really not much needed to say about this. Just look at that horrific picture. Hill was fighting Dale Hartt and went for a low kick. When his shin connected with Hartt's it snapped like a twig. Hill went to take a step back but because his leg was fractured he fell to the mat. Announcer Joe Rogan quickly realized what happened and started screaming "Stop the fight!" Thankfully they did before more damage was done. Hill took more than a year to recover from the injury, but he did
make it back to the ring
There's really not much needed to say about this. Just look at that horrific picture. Hill was fighting Dale Hartt and went for a low kick. When his shin connected with Hartt's it snapped like a twig. Hill went to take a step back but because his leg was fractured he fell to the mat. Announcer Joe Rogan quickly realized what happened and started screaming "Stop the fight!" Thankfully they did before more damage was done. Hill took more than a year to recover from the injury, but he did
make it back to the ring
The Forest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar fight.
Let me tell you why this fight, specifically gets a special mention.
Let me tell you why this fight, specifically gets a special mention.
First of all, it was the first ever season of the UFC Championship. Both Griffen and Bonnar fought long and hard to make it to the finals. They were both equally in good shape, equally skilled, and they put up a really good show. The two fighters were skilled strikers and went head to head even after both of them started bleeding.
They both came in strong in the first round, but by the second and third rounds, they were completely exasperated, hurt, and physically challenged to keep going. However, they did keep going, simply because both men were equally driven.
This fight ended on a 29-28 decision after 3 long, hard fought rounds. The fight went to Forest Griffin, but Dana White, the president of the UFC declared that there were no losers in this fight and gave both of them a six figure contract with guaranteed five fights.
Both men went home beat and battered and at the end of the day, showed excellent sportsmanship. These guys single handedly saved MMA and the UFC.
Both men went home beat and battered and at the end of the day, showed excellent sportsmanship. These guys single handedly saved MMA and the UFC.
