It’s Memorial Day in the United States, giving everyone an excuse to stuff their face with hot dogs, drink too much beer, and dress up in the colors of the flag. It’s like St. Patrick’s Day except we caricature ourselves instead of the Irish.
But hey, let’s do something to add to our collective Memorial Day traditions. Before you grab that hot dog and beer, why not load up these classic Memorial Day knockouts to show your friends and family? (All links via UFC Fight Pass.)
A Real American Hero
Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago, UFC 130 – The knockout isn’t anything out of the ordinary – a right counter lands near Santiago’s ear and Stann finishes with ground and pound – but Stann is a national treasure, and it’s only right that he leads off this list.
Stanky Legs
Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans, UFC 98 – Lyoto Machida ushers in a new era and Rashad Evans is haunted for the rest of his life.
Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve, UFC 130 – If you’ve never seen a 7-foot tall man fall down awkwardly on one leg, this is the video for you.
Chuck Liddell vs. Guy Mezger, Pride 14 – Evans would be the one to popularize the stanky leg, but it was the man he defeated at UFC 88 that delivered the original way back in 2001.
Bigfoot, Big Fall
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva, UFC 146 – Cain Velasquez fought for the first time since dropping the heavyweight strap, and he honored American soldiers by painting the canvas red with the blood of a very large Brazilian man.
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva (UFC 160) – Velasquez celebrated his reacquisition of the heavyweight title by delivering another beating to the very large Brazilian man 364 days after the first.
Fat Guy Knockouts
Mike Russow vs. Todd Duffee, UFC 114 – Come for the unbelievable, come-from-behind knockout, stay for the hilariously light hammer punch.
Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman, UFC 146 – Roy Nelson’s right hand is so powerful, it folds and unfolds Dave Herman like an accordion with one shot.
Brett Rogers vs. Jon Murphy, EliteXC: Primetime – We don’t need to celebrate the man to enjoy Brett Rogers making some guy named Jon Murphy faceplant onto the canvas.
Bull Rush
Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam, UFC 98 – Drew McFedries went to a decision just twice in his 19-fight career, and he needed a mere 37 seconds to put away Xavier Foupa-Pokam.
Houston Alexander vs. Keith Jardine, UFC 71 – FightMetric awarded only two official knockdowns, but there’s damn near a half dozen flash knockdowns in this 48-second beauty.
Vitor Belfort vs. Tank Abbott, UFC 13 – Vitor Belfort earned his “Phenom” nickname largely doing one thing: beating up fat guys quickly.
The Beauts
Spencer Fisher vs. Matt Wiman, UFC 60 – Matt Wiman motioned that a right hand that rocked him didn’t rock him; Spencer Fisher took that as an opportunity to land a picture perfect flying knee.
Melvin Guillard vs. Rick Davis, UFC 60 – Melvin Guillard’s right hand stole the consciousness from the debuting Rick Davis, who never fought again.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt, UFC 160 – Is there anything more beautiful than a heavyweight spinning hook kick?
Prime Time
Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson, EliteXC: Primetime – The finish wasn’t satisfying, but watching James Thompson’s ear explode made up for it.
Quinton Jackson vs. Chuck Liddell, UFC 71 – Quinton Jackson holds the distinction as the only man to beat the shit out of Chuck Liddell in both Pride and the UFC.
Best of the Rest
Terry Martin vs. Ivan Salaverry, UFC 71 – It wouldn’t be a proper MMA knockout list without someone getting thrown straight on their head.
Stipe Miocic vs. Fabio Maldonado, TUF Brazil 3 Finale – Find out why Stipe Miocic is the current UFC heavyweight champion and Fabio Maldonado is the latest Fedor punching bag.
TJ Grant vs. Gray Maynard, UFC 160 – TJ Grant is basically retired while Gray Maynard continues fighting; it should be the other way around.
Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir, UFC 146 – Junior dos Santos sends Frank Mir to the mat like a Punch-Out!! character.
