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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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AUBURN HILLAS, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Matt Hughes makes his way to the octagon for his fight against BJ Penn during their Welterweight bout part of UFC 123 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 20, 2010 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLAS, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Matt Hughes makes his way to the octagon for his fight against BJ Penn during their Welterweight bout part of UFC 123 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 20, 2010 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /

1. Matt Hughes

During the early days of the UFC, there were a handful of fighters who had been around prior to the Zuffa purchase and help propel the sport and promotion to the next level. One such fighter was Matt Hughes.

Hughes made his debut way back in 1999 when the sport of mixed martial arts was considered taboo and if you were involved in the sport you were often treated like an outsider. Fast forward two years and Matt is the UFC’s welterweight champion after slamming Carlos Newton into the underworld.

The tough farm boy would go on to be a two-time UFC welterweight champion, defending his belt a total of six times over his two reigns. Hughes would face and defeat the greatest fighters on the planet including Frank Trigg, Sean Sherk, Georges St-Pierre, Joe Riggs and Royce Gracie.

During his 13-year career, Hughes fought a mind-blowing 54 times of which he only lost 9 contests. With 16 wins via KO and 19 via submission Hughes was no easy opponent. The end came at the hands of Josh Koscheck in 2001.

Coming off a knockout loss to BJ Penn at UFC 123 many thought Hughes should have retired after the fight but he wanted to carry on competing and not many would argue as he had reeled off three straight wins prior to his meeting with the Hawaiian.

It took less than five minutes for Koscheck to put the legend away. Koscheck overpowered and battered Hughes on the ground, landing hard punches that eventually knocked Hughes out cold.

The end came at the 4:59 mark of round 1. Matt retired shortly after and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest UFC champions in MMA history.

The fight can be watched right here (sorry for the quality).

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