---

The head kick knockout has long been one of the most exciting finishes in mixed martial arts. Though there have been dozens upon dozens of sensational KOs courtesy of foot- or shin-to-skull contact, many of them are burned into the collective consciousness of MMA fans across the globe.

Some fighters have made a career out of the head kick -- Mirko Filipovic comes to mind -- while others not known for their striking prowess have sprung this fantastically violent gift upon the fight world out of nowhere. Regardless of who unleashes it, the head kick consistently leaves mouths ajar and highlight reels well-stocked.

The latest installment in the Sherdog Top 10 series examines the greatest head kick knockouts in MMA history:

***

Honorable Mentions: Marius Zaromskis vs. Bruno Carvalho (video, above); Mirko Filipovic vs. Aleksander Emelianenko; George Roop vs. Chan Sung Jung; Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt

***

Number 10 » Thompson vs. Ellenberger