The fight night bonus for most spectacular knockout at UFC 159 should have a few candidates. Most of them will probably be seen on the main card.
The main event could even turn out to be the spot that gives us the most memorable KO finish. I’ve predicted a second-round stoppage for Jon Jones in his bout against Chael Sonnen.
Bones is so explosive and Sonnen applies constant pressure. That combination could turn into a devastating counter elbow, knee or kick that leaves the challenger lying flat.
Jones will be looking to make a statement, and nothing says hello like a KO. Here are the other fights I believe have potential to deliver bonus-winning KOs.
Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
I favor Belcher in this bout. Bisping routinely comes up short in big fights. If he stays on his feet against Belcher, he is at a disadvantage. Belcher is a bit quicker at this stage of both men’s careers.
After watching Bisping get dropped by Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 7, I’m really starting to wonder if he should be considering retirement.
He’s 34 years old and a KO loss at the hands of Belcher would push him that much closer to the inevitable.
Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
St. Preux has one-hitter quitter power. Check out these two KOs of T.J. Cook and Jason Day.
OSP’s left hand should have a parental advisory sticker on it, because it is explicit. Villante is a good fighter, but he has struggled against powerful strikers like Lorenz Larkin and Chad Griggs.
That’s not a good look heading into a battle with a guy like St. Preux. His only loss in the last three years came to Gegard Mousasi.
That was a decision defeat in Dec. 2011. This guy is a beast, and he could put on a show in his UFC debut. This fight will be on FX during the preliminaries.
Don’t go to the restroom, because you just might miss it.
Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
Even if this fight doesn’t end in a brutal KO, both men may just fall over from exhaustion midway through the second round.
Neither of these big guys are built to go the distance. Conditioning has been an issue for both, but they bring plenty of power to ensure they can do optimal damage in a short period of time.
Nelson’s game is more well-rounded, in my opinion. Kongo has always looked like a guy who should be champion, but usually underwhelms me in the Octagon.
While it lasts, it should be entertaining, but ultimately I think Nelson will finish Kongo. It could be the KO of the night, or the first-ever double-submission because of fatigue.
Follow me, because Royce Gracie started me on this MMA path, and now I’m out of control.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com