Rousimar Palhares seems to enjoy damaging lower extremities. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
1. Rousimar Palhares
Leg lock specialist Palhares takes the top spot on this list, and with good reason. His combination of skill, killer instinct and slightly insane approach to hunting for the finish means that his opponents often walk away from the fight -- or get carried out -- with a serious lower-limb injury and a healthy appreciation for the Brazilian’s strength and technique.
Aside from his brutal strength and slick technical skill, Palhares’ sheer aggressiveness and seeming lack of concern for his opponent’s well-being are what make him truly scary as a finisher. Referees consistently have to physically pull him off his opponent, and he has been suspended by a state athletic commission and later released by the UFC for his refusal to let go when his opponent tapped. A knockout is plenty frightening, especially when thinking about brain trauma down the road, but few things are more terrifying than the prospect of someone ruining your knee for life.
Yes, Palhares is a scary, scary guy.
***
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Shinya Aoki, David Abbott, Melvin Manhoef, Ronda Rousey, Cain Velasquez, Anthony Pettis, Chuck Liddell, Masakazu Imanari, Travis Browne
Follow Sherdog.com preview expert Patrick Wyman on Twitter.