The top knockouts of 2017 are not for the faint-hearted

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. https://twitter.com/Chisanga_Malata/status/843186341215158272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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. https://twitter.com/Grabaka_Hitman/status/863477305540308992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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. https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/939720807428759552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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. https://twitter.com/ufc/status/904043824602685440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 7. Souifan Haj Haddou vs Marcel Jedidi Just fucking ridiculous from the German MMA Championship. https://twitter.com/ibdbmma/status/942130915341414406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmmajunkie.com%2F2017%2F12%2Fmma-flying-punch-knockout-grounded-opponent-germany 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. https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/868922299256365057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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. https://twitter.com/CagesideReport/status/841658936780587010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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'. https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/929582173065117696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 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. https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/911768355572391936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.sportsjoe.ie%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D143684%26action%3Dedit 2. Samuel Ilnicki vs Solomon Rogers Any other year, this probably would have been a winner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=rQ8ifZkbAZo 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. https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/937184424940093442