30 of the best MMA knockouts of all time [UPDATED AUGUST 2023]
By Amy Kaplan
2. Anderson Silva kicks Vitor Belfort in the face
From UFC 126 – 2011
These Brazilian champions were set for a very exciting matchup at UFC 126. Both are among the best fighters in UFC history. However, when they met, Silva showed that he was superior.
Anything Belfort tried to do, Silva had an answer for. Even when Belfort took Silva down, he was able to scramble right up to his feet. The kick came out of nowhere, as Silva was using his trademark hands down striking style. In just a second, Belfort was careening to the canvas.
This was another case of nobody really knowing where the hell a strike came from. Even watching with the naked eye, it happens so fast. You really have to slow the kick down to get a good idea of what really happened between the time when they are squaring off and then when Belfort is on the ground.
Also, it’s important to note that Belfort has an amazing chin. While he did go down like the wacky arm flailing inflatable tube man, he wasn’t completely out until Silva had to finish the fight with ground strikes.
If it weren’t for our next knockout, this would be the best KO in UFC history.