Sherdog’s Top 10: 2011’s Best Knockouts

#5 -- Cairo Rocha vs. Francisco Neves
Brazilian Fighting Championship “Desafio dos Imortais”
Dec. 16, 2011
Doctor Francisco de Palma Travassos Stadium
Sao Paulo, Brazil

Rarely are capoeira kicks successful in high-level mixed martial arts, and few, if any, have had the impact of the one Rocha executed at Doctor Francisco de Palma Travassos Stadium. At the halfway marker of their encounter, Rocha set himself, wheeled around as he planted his right hand on the mat and, in one fluid, almost poetic motion, smashed his right foot into Neves’ unprotected jaw. Baffled by the unorthodox maneuver, Neves had lowered his left hand to guard his midsection on the same side on which the kick struck his head. The distinct smack of bone hitting flesh told the story, along with the victim’s stiff body at the base of the cage. Rocha scaled the fence in triumph, as the crowd hummed in awe around him.

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