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1. Stephen Thompson vs. Jake Ellenberger
“The Ultimate Fighter 21” Finale
July 12, 2015 | Las Vegas
Thompson has a flair for the spectacular. The South Carolinian wiped out Ellenberger with a spinning hook kick and follow-up punches before a crowd of 4,844 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ellenberger bowed out 4:29 into Round 1, having been on the receiving end of one of the best knockouts of 2015. “Wonderboy” dealt with some adversity along the way. The notoriously heavy-handed Ellenberger dropped the karateka to his knees with a ringing right to the side of the head, but Thompson kept his composure, sucked the Nebraskan into the clinch and separated on his own terms. He knocked down Ellenberger with the first of two spinning hooks kicks and remained patient as he pursued the finish with punches. Thompson allowed “The Juggernaut” to stand, settled at his preferred range and launched another spinning hook kick that floored the still-dazed Ellenberger. He then pounced with a left and a right, forcing the stoppage.

Sherdog’s Top 10 series is voted upon by a panel of Sherdog.com staff members and contributors: Jordan Breen, Tristen Critchfield, Mike Fridley, Brian Knapp, Eric Stinton, Jesse Denis, Todd Martin, Josh Stillman, Nick Grinups and Anthony Walker.