MMA Knockout of 2009 (So Far)

Posted Jul 02, 2009 1:17PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

The year is half over, so we're giving out some MMA half year awards. Today we've got the best knockout of the year so far in MMA.

My choice for the knockout of the year in MMA goes to Matt Hamill, for his head kick knockout of Mark Munoz at UFC 96.

Hamill got into the UFC via The Ultimate Fighter, and in his early days he was just a big, strong college wrestler who beat his opponents by holding them down and overpowering them. So what impressed me most about Hamill's knockout of Munoz is that it showed the evolution of his game. It was the second straight fight that Hamill dominated on his feet, and it was a knockout kick that Hamill had been setting up throughout the fight. You could see him looking for his opening, and then exploding when he got that opening.

"I'm getting better and better every time I fight," Hamill said in the Octagon after knocking Munoz out. His knockout of Munoz demonstrated that.

Here are some honorable mention choices for knockout of the year:

Shane Carwin, who established himself as a Top 10 heayweight by knocking out Gabriel Gonzaga at the same UFC 96 show in which Hamill knocked out Munoz.

Nick Pace, for the flying knee that knocked Collin Tebo cold.

Brett Rogers, for needing just half a minute to dispatch Andrei Arlovski.

Lyoto Machida, for showing off brutal punching power in beating Rashad Evans.

Vitor Belfort, who destroyed Matt Lindland at Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

Jose Aldo, who needed just eight seconds to knock out Cub Swanson.

Stefanie Guimareas, for knocking out Yvonne Reis in the best women's knockout of the year.

Yahir Reyes, for a spinning back fist against Estevan Payan.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-02-2009 @ 2:51PM

imshortyk said...

I completely agree with this selection. That knockout was not only surprising but sickening, haha. I felt sorry for Munoz when he slumped. Hamill is a beast for sure, and an inspiration for many.

7-02-2009 @ 2:54PM

mike said...

Hamill is also one of the nicest guys in the sport and a great role model, especially to kids who are deaf or have other disabilities. I'm rooting for him to get another knockout against Brandon Vera at UFC 102.

7-02-2009 @ 3:01PM

Matthew said...

That Hammil knockout was straight up scary.

The best part about it was that he was dancing around the ring like a seven year old on Christmas morning while Munoz hadn't moved in like five minutes. That was hillarious

7-02-2009 @ 3:08PM

Eric said...

Head kicks can be most devastating when they are delivered by someone who isn't particularly known for their kicking (ex: Hamill, Gonzaga, Johnson). Munoz, Cro-cop, Burns ... their nights ended violently due to unexpected kicks.

Personally I like Yahir Reyes' spinning back fist for KO of the year (so far).

7-02-2009 @ 3:25PM

RJ said...

Eric said.."Personally I like Yahir Reyes' spinning back fist for KO of the year (so far)."

At least here's one sensible opinion.

7-02-2009 @ 5:15PM

christianjames18 said...

Seeing Evans shut up & knocked out has to be the best so far! You guys are giving too much to the others that was selected. The beating, the build up, the pop, and the drop of Evans, man Red Fox rolled over in his grave in shame that Evans would try to inmiate him when truely Evans does a great impression of Apollo Creed from Rocky. Lyotto just owed Evans, and fell to become his "DOOR MAT" in ruling the division in the UFC. This is just one a-hole's opinion based on facts jack.

7-02-2009 @ 7:32PM

ryan8681 said...

Rampage Knock out of the axed murderer was brutal as well......That Left Hook was VISCIOUS!!!

7-02-2009 @ 7:51PM

Why do people dislike Rashad so much? Lol. He's got the most talent in the entire division. He's respectful after the fight (even in defeat, as we saw), he even went and had drinks with Forrest Griffin after taking his title. He's a cool guy, but just because he shakes his head or grabs his crotch during a fight he's labeled as a cocky, arrogant fighter who needs to be taught a lesson. Give me a break. He participates in pre-fight banter just like more than half the fighters out there.

And Ryan, was that fight this year? I think it was in December if I'm not mistaken.

7-02-2009 @ 9:45PM

richardbikle said...

Thats what i dont like about him. i got just the opposite impression, that he's flamboyant. I'd be really depressed to see MMA start to resemble NBA. I like humbleness in my martial arts.

7-02-2009 @ 10:29PM

kwilbur10 said...

thats why mma is soo popular. everyone has their ppl. and everyone hates their ppl. i do like the cocky ppl as well as the humbleness. what i don't like is ppl without personalities. just bland ppl with bland fighting styles. but hey i am just another guy with another opinion.

7-03-2009 @ 2:57AM

Ted said...

Imshortyk - How can you say Evans has the most talent in the 205LB. division? I know you saw Machida destroy him; I can only asume you are joking. If not then you are on some serious drugs. Evans is a great athelete but don't compare him to the great 205LB. fighters. It only makes you seem ignorant; and I don't think you are.

7-03-2009 @ 11:17AM

Ted . . . I don't recall saying he is the BEST in the division, because after Machida beat him he's not anymore. I said he has the most TALENT. You are aware of what talent is, right? A special natural ability? Can Machida wrestle like Rashad? No. Can Chuck strike Rashad? No. He has a huge gas tank, he's as quick as a Lightweight, as strong as a Heavyweight and his footwork and striking is great. Don't get me wrong, Machida's a beast and deserves that title, but do I think he has the most TALENT? No.

You must read and interpret before insulting, sir, c'mon . . .

7-03-2009 @ 2:56PM

Jay said...

By far the best knockout so far has to be Ray Mercer knocking out Tim Silvia!!!

7-03-2009 @ 4:46PM

Lol! Okay, I might give you that one, Jay, lol. That was pretty funny.

7-04-2009 @ 11:10AM

where am i? said...

Hamill- Yes
Machida on Evans- YES.

BUT- I feel people are forgetting also the pure BRUTAL look of a man trying a flying knee and getting caught mid air- and falling face first to the canvas.

I'm not sure if Hamill or Fedor gets KO of the year personally.

7-05-2009 @ 12:09AM

joe said...

not quite a knock out cause he never lost consciousness but im giving it to aldo, that was disgusting behind all belief looking at swanson's eye, i really though he broke his eye bone or w/e lol, and don't get me wrong i think matt hamill's knockout was amazing the worst ones are always the ones you dont see coming, and munoz still hasn't seen it lol. anyone know if hamill's movie is still being shot?

7-05-2009 @ 7:29PM

M13 said...

I'm surprised you wouldn't consider Fedor's knockout over Arlovski MDS.

7-06-2009 @ 10:53AM

jay said...

I love watching Hamill fight, his kick to Munoz's head was one of the most devastating since Gonzaga's kick to Cro Cop's head!

Fedor vs. Arlovski should have been mentioned aswell.