In January, Edson Barboza set an early standard for what would be considered a Knockout of the Year candidate when he stiffened Terry Etim with the UFC’s first-ever spinning heel kick knockout. None have matched the spectacle that was Barboza’s kick, but many knockouts have come close.
Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo even defended their belts with impressive knockout finishes in their respective fights against Frank Mir and Chad Mendes, but neither of those stoppages stacked up against Barboza’s.
Already, 2012 has provided several devastating and come-from-behind knockouts worthy of mention with regards to determining the Knockout of the Year. With that said, let’s take of look at the 10 best knockouts heading into the second half of 2012.