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Top 10 knockouts that ended a UFC career

By Nick Strickland

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 6: Rashad Evans (black shorts) def. Chuck Liddell (blue shorts) - KO - 1:51 round 2 during UFC 88 at Philips Arena on September 6, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 6: Rashad Evans (black shorts) def. Chuck Liddell (blue shorts) - KO - 1:51 round 2 during UFC 88 at Philips Arena on September 6, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /
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HONG KONG – NOVEMBER 07: Rich Franklin works out for media and fans during a UFC open workout session at Harbour City Mall on November 7, 2012 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
HONG KONG – NOVEMBER 07: Rich Franklin works out for media and fans during a UFC open workout session at Harbour City Mall on November 7, 2012 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /

5. Rich Franklin

Another former champion on the list, Rich was a beautiful fighter to watch and one that did his job in the cage so effortlessly. The former middleweight champion also fought in the light heavyweight division.

Franklin (29-7,1 NC) ruled the 185-pound division prior to the arrival of one Anderson Silva, who he lost to twice. Franklin has beaten names like Nate Quarry, Evan Tanner, Yushin Okami, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell and Ken Shamrock.

He won the UFC title with a TKO of late Evan Tanner in 2005.

So when did it all come to an end? Well, thanks to a right hand from Cung Le in 2012 Franklin was done with his fighting career.

Le landed a big shot that sent Rich face first into the canvas. It was a stomach-churning blow that left many in silence prior to Franklin regaining consciousness. The vast majority of Franklin’s losses came toward the end of his career but it was this particular one that let him know it was time to call it a day.

Franklin is another name that comes to my mind when I think about the early days of the UFC and he will go down as one of the greatest ever. A real Ace of a guy.

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