The Octagon offers some of the most exciting action in sports. It often showcases competition unseen on any other platform in the world.
But through all the selective skill sets and beautifully crafted arts that have been mastered over the years, the knockout is still the most exciting finish.
There’s really no way to explain it. It just feels natural. Like something is triggered inside our brains, witnessing a perfectly timed knockout leaves ours eyes and ears in awe.
So when a knockout is delivered, it often steals the show. Tonight’s stacked UFC 167 card will be no different.
With a slew of power-charged, aggressive fighters on the bill, fists are destined to connect with chins. Here are three fighters who can win Knockout of the Night honors.
Sergio Pettis
With Anthony Pettis‘ younger brother set to make his promotional debut later today on the Facebook prelims, UFC fans are finally going to get the dynamic bantamweight striker they’ve been looking for.
Athletically and skillfully nurtured under the wing of Duke Roufus and his brother, Pettis already possesses elite offense, even at the young age of 20.
He’s possesses excellent kicks, great takedown defense, unparalleled athleticism and the ability to stay out of danger. Combine that with precision, speed, power and the will to win, and Pettis is a Knockout of the Night waiting to happen.
Let’s just hope the always warranted Octagon jitters don’t get the best of him.
Erik Perez
As one of the more physically gifted and rapidly evolving prospects in the UFC, Perez has undying potential in an often stagnant bantamweight division.
But after dropping a close decision to Takeya Mizugaki back in August, “Goyito” needs to prove that potential is being fulfilled.
Tonight will be his chance to avenge his first promotional loss, showcase his powerful uppercuts and dynamic clinch game and put an end to a very desperate Edwin Figueroa.
Look for the young Mexican to pressure Figueroa from the opening bell in order to pad his already impressive resume.
Johny Hendricks
People don’t want to believe that Hendricks can do the unthinkable and knockout UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. They think of it as more of a myth than impeding reality.
But through all the discussion of how superior GSP is and how untouchable he is in a five-round fight, Hendricks still has the power. His natural ability to crumble chins isn’t going to fade tonight on the heels of negative talks.
For Hendricks, someone who has absolutely dominated the welterweight division since his arrival, St-Pierre isn’t this pound-for-pound king who hasn’t lost in nearly seven years.
Instead, “Bigg Rigg” is setting himself up to fight, well, a man. Because whether or not people want to believe seemingly perfectly crafted fighters are untouchable, like Anderson Silva, everybody has their day of defeat.
And when you stand opposite a powerhouse like Hendricks toward the tail end of your divisional career, that day may come sooner than you expected.
For more UFC news and predictions, Follow @DHiergesell.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com