Best UFC Head Kick Knockouts: Top 10 Iconic KOs

This knockout by Edson Barboza marked the first-ever wheel kick KO in UFC history, showcasing his pure kickboxing brilliance. As of writing, there has only ever been 14 wheel kick KOs in UFC history, making Barboza's record even more fantastic.

This stunning finish cemented Barboza as one of the UFC’s most dangerous kickers in the modern era.

Visual Appeal: The slow-motion replay of Etim’s stiffened body remains iconic.

Anderson Silva lands a kick to the jaw of Vitor Belfort//Getty Images

Heading into this bout, Anderson Silva had a reputation for being an excellent striker with unique creativity. He was able to perform advanced techniques such as spinning kicks and question mark kicks. But when Silva landed the front kick KO in his title fight against the dangerous challenger Vitor Belfort, the entire UFC world went wild.

This, along with other brutal KOs, solidify “The Spider” as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

Visual Appeal: As soon as the ball of the foot landed on Belfort's chin, Belfort dropped instantly with his eyes wide open.

Leon Edwards lands a head kick to Kamaru Usman//Getty Images

This is one of the most remarkable knockouts in UFC history. The welterweight champion at the time, Kamaru Usman was completely dominating the fight, and was arguably four rounds to the good heading into the fifth and final round.

But just when it seemed like Leon Edwards was going to suffer a shutout defeat, he conjured up a last-minute head kick KO to win the welterweight title. This brutally sublime head kick ended Usman’s dominant reign as champion.

Visual Appeal: Leon Edwards expertly faked a left jab before landing the kick which sent Usman into the shadow realm.

Heading into UFC 193, Ronda Rousey was beating up every single woman in the UFC bantamweight division, using her Judo skills and lethal submissions. But then Holly Holm came along. 

The former world champion in boxing had already made her name in combat sports by throwing hands. Little did Rousey know she was also capable of ending fights with her kicks. This head kick KO is one of the greatest knockouts in history as well as one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. This ended Rousey’s dominance in the bantamweight weight class and changed women's MMA forever.

Visual Appeal: A perfectly timed left high kick that left Rousey unconscious.

After the dominance of Ronda Rousey had ended, many expected Holly Holm to be her successor in terms of the new superior force in women's MMA. However, that was not the case. Instead, Holm was actually on the receiving end of a brutal head kick knockout herself when Amanda Nunes introduced herself to the global stage.

At this time in 2019, little did we know that Nunes would go on to solidify herself and retire as the greatest female fighter ever.

Visual Appeal: A flawless shin-to-face connection against an MMA legend.

Lyoto Machida’s front kick knockout of Randy Couture back in 2011 was a near-perfect replica of the technique made famous by Anderson Silva. The kick was delivered with pinpoint precision, with the ball of the foot landing flush on Couture’s chin.

This was Couture’s final fight in the UFC, marking the end of a legendary Hall of Fame career.

Visual Appeal: The slow-motion replay showed Couture’s tooth flying through the air upon impact, making this KO even more brutal.

Heavyweights aren’t typically known for their agility and flexibility, but Junior Dos Santos was an exception. The Brazilian had power in both hands and legs. 

Dos Santos’ spinning wheel kick KO of Mark Hunt, was executed with flawless technique. What made this stoppage even more unbelievable was the fact that Hunt was famous for having an iron chin.

Visual Appeal: The kick landed with a perfect shin-to-temple connection, sending Hunt crashing to the mat.

One of the earliest and most technical head kick KOs in UFC history, Yves Edwards landed a perfectly timed head kick on Josh Thomson during a clinch break.

Visual Appeal: Edwards broke from the clinch and immediately launched a high kick as Thomson attempted to reset, catching him flush.

Rashad Evans, primarily known for his wrestling and peekaboo style of boxing, stunned the MMA world by delivering one of the most devastating head kick knockouts in history back in 2007.

This win propelled Evans into a new level in his career, and the UFC began to push him into the title picture. He eventually won the UFC light-heavyweight title in December 2008.

Visual Appeal: The sheer violence of the knockout was shocking; Salmon stiffened up immediately and collapsed to the floor.