If Jesus really loves knockouts, the Christian Messiah had an unbelievable time in 2017.
You didn’t click into this article to read a boring introductory paragraph. You came here to see our picks for best knockouts of 2017. So let’s get straight into it.
15. Svyatoslav Shabanov vs. Ali Dikaev
You’re forgiven if you don’t recognise this one. It comes from the Russian organisation World Fighting Championship Akhmat, which isn’t exactly a household promotion in the part of the world. Obscurity aside, everyone can appreciate the beauty of shin cracking chin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpkuoQAXD4o
14. Marc Diakiese vs Teemu Packalen
Back to the more familiar territory of the Octagon. Rising prospect Diakiese cut the Finnish fighter down like a tree with a lightning right hand on home territory.
Here's that stunning KO from Marc Diakiese again. He absolutely starched Teemu Packalen #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/t2vuahBOCj
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) March 18, 2017
13. Israel Adesanya vs Stu Dare
Another terrific lesser-known finish. This one comes from the Australian promotion HFS Hex Fight series. Adesanya has been very dominant on the regional scene down under with this being his 11th straight knockout win to keep his 100% record intact.
https://twitter.com/Jolassanda/status/934013983400562688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit
12. Alain Ilunga vs Barend Nienaber
Here’s another knockout from a smaller promotion. South Africa blessed us with this beautiful spinning-back kick to the dome that sent this poor sod to the shadow realm.
Alain Ilunga KO's Barend Nienaber at #EFC59. Regional KO of the Year so far. pic.twitter.com/C1OlyAWT6J
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 13, 2017
11. Marlon Moraes vs Aljamain Sterling
This was one of those rare knockouts that was so vicious, it was actually difficult to enjoy in real time. However, once Sterling let everyone know he was ok, we could fully appreciate its beauty. The only reason why it didn’t get a higher spot on the list was that Moraes admitted after the act that he was actually trying for a kick as opposed to the knee that landed flush.
KNEE GAME PROPER! Marlon Moraes with the absurd KO knee on Aljamain Sterling! #UFCFresno https://t.co/Wn9Q0ul7fz
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 10, 2017
10. Sabina Mazo vs Jamie Thorton
The sky really is the limit for 20-year-old Mazo. Impressively, she scored a virtually identical head kick knockout just five months later.
Apologies for getting Mike Goldberg’s voice stuck in everyone’s head with that ‘virtually identical’ comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19MsGy4pGCg
9. Mike Perry vs Jake Ellenberger
Eddie Alvarez may be the most violent man in the UFC, but Mike Perry’s got to be up there too. What he lacks in technical ability, he more than makes up for in sheer brutality as Ellenberger found out in Nashville.
https://twitter.com/MMAHEYDAY/status/856254947620532224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit
8. Mairbek Taisumov vs Felipe Silva
This was the Russian knockout monster’s fifth finish on the trot. No wonder why he’s struggled to get a ranked opponent to fight him.
BA-BOOOOOOOOM!!!!!
Just like that, @Taisumov155 FLOORS Silva in the first round!! #UFCRotterdam
WOW!!! pic.twitter.com/xLUqX6kdkU
— UFC (@ufc) September 2, 2017
7. Souifan Haj Haddou vs Marcel Jedidi
Just fucking ridiculous from the German MMA Championship.
Perfect KO !!! Souifan Haj Haddou brutally knocks out Marcel Jedidi at #GMC13 !! #GerMMAny pic.twitter.com/g8PnY9IpQB
— ibdbMMA (@ibdbmma) December 16, 2017
6. Alexander Gustafsson vs Glover Teixeira
This is the type of performance that will get people to learn the ‘f’ to ‘s’ ratio in the Super Swede’s name. If that wasn’t Hollywood enough, ‘The Mauler’ got down on one knee inside the Octagon for a marriage proposal.
She said yes. Of course she said yes.
Uppercut 👊
Uppercut 👊
Uppercut 👊
TKO 💪Alexander Gustafsson brutally finishes Glover Teixeira and then shows a touch of class. 👏 pic.twitter.com/grTuI7BcFp
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 28, 2017
5. Edson Barboza vs Beneil Dariush
Anik was a little bit early with his ‘perfectly-timed knee’ comment. If he had waited a few seconds longer, he could have used it more appropriately.
#FightRecap Rewatch Edson Barboza's stunning finish of Beneil Dariush from Saturday night! pic.twitter.com/HcaYsoQ2z3
— Cageside (@CagesideReport) March 14, 2017
4. Matt Brown vs Diego Sanchez
In the mother of all fuck-ups, a glitch meant that viewers were forced to endure a stream of an empty media room while Brown was landing the hellbow to end all hellbows. We’ve not let that unfortunate incident sour what was a phenomenal moment for ‘the Immortal’.
WHAT AN ELBOW! Matt Brown KO's Diego Sanchez for the finish at #UFCNorfolk! https://t.co/i7MIUI1rXE
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 12, 2017
3. Aaron Pico vs Justin Linn
Following a nightmare professional debut that ended in him tapping after just 25 seconds, the most hyped MMA prospect ever bounced back perfectly with one of the cleanest one-punch knockouts you’ll ever see.
Ladies and gentlemen…@AaronPicoUSA #Bellator183 pic.twitter.com/kp5mHl7pfS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 24, 2017
2. Samuel Ilnicki vs Solomon Rogers
Any other year, this probably would have been a winner.
1. Francis Ngannou vs Alistair Overeem
There was only ever going to be one winner. This holy haymaker from hell set up the most intriguing heavyweight title fight in years. Stipe Miocic may be one defence away from being the greatest heavyweight ever, but he will need to earn that accolade by beating the most terrifying knockout artist in the sport.
HOLY LEFT HOOK! 😱
Francis Ngannou has arrived people. One shot is all it took… 👊 #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/PWofCSQAE3
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) December 3, 2017
