Before the Octagon returns to T-Mobile Arena for International Fight Week, we present to you 10 of the best knockouts and submissions from the fighters that will compete this Saturday at UFC 303 including headliners Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
10. Roman Dolidze vs. Phil Hawes – UFC Vegas 63
Several months after earning a post-fight bonus for his first-round knockout of Kyle Daukaus, Roman Dolidze was matched up with NJCAA wrestling champion Phil Hawes in the featured prelim of UFC Vegas 63.
“The Caucasian” countered Hawes’ takedown with a chain of submission attempts, the last of which left the New Jersey native’s knee injured. Dolidze took full advantage of his compromised opponent when he kept him at the end of a right hand. As Dawes rose to his feet and stumbled to the fence, he received several more punches for his troubles. After going unconscious, he ate a few more on the way down.
Related: UFC 303 card, latest betting odds, start time, and TV info
9. Anthony Smith vs. Rashad Evans – UFC 225
After struggling to separate himself from the pack at middleweight, Anthony Smith stepped into the Octagon for the first time as a light heavyweight at UFC 225. His debut in the new weight class would be against former champ and eventual Hall of Famer Rashad Evans.
It would only take Smith 53 seconds to announce his arrival in the new division. As the former collegiate wrestling champion attempted a takedown against the fence, “Lionheart” framed and landed a perfect knee to the head. A pair of follow up strikes on the ground sealed the deal.
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8. Diego Lopes vs. Sodiq Yusuff – UFC 300
When the stacked lineup for UFC 300 was announced, educated fans were eagerly anticipating a near guaranteed banger between Diego Lopes and Sodiq Yusuff. However, instead of a war of attrition, the featherweight contest turned into one way traffic.
Before the first minute expired, Lopes dropped Yusuff with an uppercut and pounced. Somehow, the former Titan FC champ was able to survive and scramble back to his feet. Almost immediately afterwards, Lopes dropped him with another uppercut. The subsequent ground and pound forced referee Mark Smith to end the fight.
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7. Ian Garry vs. Daniel Rodriguez – UFC on ABC 4
Even though Daniel Rodriguez has never been able to crack through the list of top contenders in the welterweight division, he has consistently proven to be a tough challenge for everyone he has faced in the UFC. Ian Garry would change that at UFC on ABC 4.
After a brief feeling out period, Garry found his range and proceeded to work. Taking full advantage of the openings provided by his opponent’s southpaw stance, “The Future” landed a rear leg head kick that sent Rodriguez to the floor.
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6. Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira – UFC 152
In the middle of what became a six-fight winning streak that included four finishes, Cub Swanson would face Charles Oliveira on the main card opener of UFC 152. It would become one of his signature wins and second straight Knockout of the Night.
As both fighters took to the center of the cage at the midpoint of the opening round, Swanson began landing singular hard blows. While still feeling the effects of a pair of body shots, Swanson connected with a hard looping right hand to the head. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back as Oliveira hit the canvas.
5. Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne – UFC 187
Former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, who fights early on the UFC 303 preliminary card, was once dangerously close to a title shot more than a decade removed from his first belt. At UFC 187 he would have to get through former roommate and training partner Travis Browne to keep the dream alive.
The two would set their friendship aside in one of the wildest rounds of 2015. Arlovski was able to establish control quickly by rocking Browne. The Hawaiian survived and then managed to get out of more danger by dropping Arlovski, nearly finishing him later in the round. However, “The Pitbull” convinced the referee to end the fight with less than 20 seconds remaining as Browne could barely stand up to the punches was eating along the cage.
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4. Brian Ortega vs. Cub Swanson – UFC Fight Night 123
For the UFC’s first trip to Fresno, California, Brian Ortega gave another display of just how dangerous his submission game is. This showcase came at the expense of featherweight mainstay and fellow UFC 303 fighter Cub Swanson.
Just as Swanson found his range and began landing punch combinations, “T City” got his opponent to the fence and found the perfect opportunity to reach for his neck. A brief moment later Ortega pulled guard as Swanson resisted going to the ground. While still being held up by Swanson, he was able to readjust his grip and sink in the choke.
3. Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira – UFC 275
In just his third fight in the UFC, Jiri Prochazka was challenging for the light heavyweight title. He and Glover Teixeira would give fans one of the best fights in the division’s history at UFC 275.
Prochazka and Teixeira put on a show in every range of combat. In the perfect blend of reckless brawl and technical chess match, non-stop action and wild momentum swings kept the crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on edge. As the final seconds ticked away, Prochazka rallied to secure a rear naked choke and UFC gold.
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2. Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill – UFC 300
With all due respect for Sean Strickland’s horribly conceived gameplan at UFC 276, Alex Pereira’s definitive knockout came two years and two title reigns later. In his first light heavyweight defense, “Poatan” met former champ Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300.
In less than a round, Pereira would reduce his predecessor to a meme. After the fight was briefly interrupted due to a foul, Pereira waved off Herb Dean and insisted on continuing without his allotted timeout. Just a moment later, he dropped a hammer on Hill that left him looking up at the arena lights with confusion.
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1. Michael Page vs. Evangelista Santos – Bellator 158
As Michael “Venom” Page rose to prominence in Bellator, many observers pointed out favorable matchmaking for his success. So, when he was paired with former Strikeforce title challenger Evangilista “Cyborg” Santos, there were doubts around how his flashy style would fare against a storied veteran.
MVP passed that test as violently as one could imagine. After denying Santos’ submission attempts in the opening round, the English karateka confused his opponent with his trademark unorthodox movement and feints. That was until Santos’ late second round takedown attempt was perfectly countered with a flying knee.
Cyborg immediately fell to the canvas writhing in pain as MVP celebrated with a Pokeman ball and matching hat. That force of that knee literally crushed Cyborg’s skull forcing his retirement from the sport.
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