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The key to becoming a successful mixed martial artist is being well-versed in all aspects of the game when the cage door closes. While there are exceptions to the rule, those fighters who rely too heavily on one facet of their arsenal can only achieve average levels of success.

If a fighter is going to lean solely on one dimension of the game, it helps if the discipline has the potential to result in winning the fight suddenly or battering an opponent so badly that he or she can no longer continue. There is no better example of this than a perfectly timed head kick or a smattering of shin-to-thigh shots to the lead leg of a competitor over the course of a fight.

In honor of the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which takes place in the MMA hub of Brazil, a Sherdog.com panel has compiled a list of the most ferocious kickers in the history of mixed martial arts. Many narrowly missed inclusion, and of course, the choices are open to interpretation. Names like Pedro Rizzo, Marius Zaromskis, Kazushi Sakuraba, Vitor Belfort, Mauricio Rua and Dennis Siver were all tossed around, but a group of 10 was ultimately settled upon.

Debate and discuss accordingly.

Number 10 » Jon Jones