The Top 5 UFC KOs Of 2010

In a year that was filled with highlight reel KO's, there were 5 that stood out from the rest.

They were not only huge fights in their own right, they included some of the biggest names in MMA at some of their biggest moments.

Huge career implications at stake.

Some kept the hope alive for an extended UFC run, while others seemed to fall further from the spotlight and closer to retirement.Let's revisit 5 of the years best KO's as we get ready to usher in 2011:

1.) Rich Franklin Retires "The Iceman" UFC 115 - In what was likely the last fight of Liddell's legendary career, Rich Franklin received "Knockout Of The Night" honors and kept his UFC career going at 4:55 of round one. If Liddell had managed to hang on another 5 seconds, would things have been different? Not likely. You can't help wondering though as we watch Chuck ride off into the sunset after being shutdown by Dana White. Thanks for the memories "Iceman."

2.) BJ Penn Settles The Score With Matt Hughes UFC 123 - In rivalry that dates back to 2004, BJ Penn comes out on top via a shocking KO at .21 of the first round. With the quick finish, Penn was able to get back in the win column after losing his last 2 in a row to current champion Frankie Edgar. Even after big wins over Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida, Matt Hughes will be taking a close look at  where he wants to go from here.  

3.) Cain Velasquez KO's Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira UFC 110 - We now know what was yet to come in terms of Cain Velasquez and his title run. Currently holding an 89% KO rate in his professional Mixed Martial Arts career, Velasquez wasted little time versus "Big Nog" finishing the fight at the 2:20 mark of round one and securing Knockout Of The Night honors. Cain went on to clown Lesnar at UFC121, earning the UFC heavyweight belt.

4.) Shogun Rua Finishes Lyoto Machida UFC 113 - Shogun Rua left no question in the minds of anyone on this night, dropping the evasive Machida at 3:34 of round one. Rua left the building with the strap over his shoulder as the majority of fans thought it should have been in the first showdown between these two. It was only a matter of time before Shogun earned the 205 lb. belt and he looks to hold onto it in his first title defense against Rashad Evans in the coming year.

5.) Shane Carwin Crushes Frank Mir UFC 111 - In the bloodiest stoppage on our list, fans finally got to see Shane Carwin at full throttle as he dismantled the always dangerous Frank Mir. Mir was never in this one as Carwin imposed his will on Frank from the opening bell. Although Carwin was showed more sportsmanship than Lesnar when he beat Mir, the outcome was almost identical. A bloody and battered former champion who was unable to contend with the shear power and size of Carwin.

*Honorable Mention:  Frank Mir Drops "Cro-Cop" In The Last Round  At UFC 119 - In another fight that saw a legend come out on the wrong side of things, Frank Mir rebounded from his smashing at the hands of Shane Carwin to take out Cro-Cop at 4:02 of round number three. The fight was better than expected prior to the knee that ended it, as both fighters stayed in it looking for the win. This keeps things interesting for Mir as he looks to get back in the hunt in 2011.

At this time next  year these fights will have faded from our memories a bit, but they will all live forever in the highlight reels and minds of everyone who witnessed them. For all the MMA News from the Rocky Mountain region, check us out over at: http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!