WHILST grappling may be gripping (pun intended), there is nothing in combat sports that fans love more than a big knockout. Whether it comes from a head kick, spinning elbow or a good ol’ fashioned right hook, seeing a perfectly executed blow delivered by an elite level fighter to end a contest still elicits a response of shock and awe like little else in sport.
Here Martin Potter, aka @theboxingbrain, looks at five of the top striking technicians in the UFC. Apologies to the many great fighters who have missed out. Click below to read on.
5. Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson
The only non champion shown here and there were many other contenders, but I have chosen Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson because he knocks people out! Despite coming from a wrestling background, Johnson is now best known for his heavy hands (much like Robbie Lawler) having knocked out more people in under a minute than any other fighter in UFC history.
Anthony Johnson has had an up and down career, fighting through different weight classes in various promotions but he is now settled back in the UFC at light heavyweight, which appears to be his natural domain. Since his return, his devastating power with both hands and feet has seen him become the first man to stop Alexander Gustafsson with strikes and the first man to drop current light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, although Cormier recovered to take the victory.
Johnson is now in prime position to face Jon Jones, should ‘Bones’ overcome nemesis Daniel Cormier once again. Johnson’s raw power versus Jones’ technical wizardry would certainly make for an intriguing stand up war.
The only disappointing thing about Johnson is that he doesn’t come out to Ant and Dec classic, ‘Let’s Get Ready To Rumble’…
4. ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is perhaps the one on this list most likely to deliver a fight of the night, or the year, and the chances of it being a tactical Jiu Jitsu battle are slim. Whilst maybe not as technically gifted as some on this list (and that is not to say he isn’t very, very good), Robbie has bags of heart, toughness and seems to positively enjoy straight up, stand up wars.
In the early days of the UFC the young Robbie Lawler would often demonstrate his heavy hands to get knock out wins but was a bit too reckless to get to the very top in the promotion. Now a veteran, Lawler has learnt to be a bit more measured but has retained his power and ability to excite; this combination has propelled him to the UFC welterweight title and a new legion of fans.
Rumour has it that Conor McGregor would like to step up in weight again should he capture lightweight gold and face Lawler for the welterweight strap. If that happens, don’t blink!
3. Holly Holm
As it stands boxing is still the most watched combat sport in the world above MMA, and Holly Holm is the first professional boxing world champion to transition between the sports and win a world title in the UFC to go alongside her boxing belts.
The fact that Holm held multiple boxing world titles shows the pedigree of her striking and her kickboxing is almost as good as her boxing. In her signature victory over Ronda Rousey, Holm used her footwork and fistic abilities to great effect, often making her illustrious opponent look amateurish. Excellent use of the controversial oblique kick (a downward strike delivered with the sole of the foot to the knee area) also caused Rousey problems and it was a head kick that did for the seemingly unbeatable champion.
Fighting like Holly Holm needs composure, great technical boxing and kickboxing skills and the ability to carry out a fight plan.
2. ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor
The only thing bigger than Conor McGregor’s mouth is his punch! Conor has excelled in making noise outside of the Octagon and rendering opponents unconscious once inside it.
Coming from a boxing background, Conor McGregor likes to fight on the front foot and get his punches off quickly, evidenced by his 13 second destruction of the long time unbeaten former champion Jose Aldo. Although wrestling is not his strongest area, Conor mixes in more unconventional karate kicks with his boxing and Muay Thai to throw opponents off balance.
To fight like Connor McGregor requires a strong boxing base, decent kicks, aggression and, above all else, a ridiculous amount of self belief.
1. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones
Jon “Bones” Jones will return to the Octagon this year after a hiatus of his own making but will immediately shoot back to the top of every fight fans’ must watch list. The reason fans love to watch Jones is because he is, quite simply, the most exciting and talented all round striker that MMA has ever seen.
What sets Jon Jones apart from every one else is the sheer creativity of his stand up game. He can box and kickbox conventionally as well as anyone in MMA but he has the guts and ability to do the unconventional, and do it brilliantly. Spinning elbows, flying knees, high kicks, low kicks, wheel kicks – the one thing that Jones’ bemused opponents know is that they don’t know what will be coming at them next.
You can train all the same disciplines as Jon Jones but you can’t learn what Jon Jones does; to misquote one of Jones’ former sponsors, he just does it.
