Sherdog’s Top 10: 2011’s Best Knockouts

#3 -- Adam Khaliev vs. Alexei Belyaev
League S-70 “Fight Nights: Russian Championship First Round
Dec. 22, 2011
Profsoyuzov Sorts Hall
Volgograd, Russia

Sometimes one has to see it to believe it. Three days before Christmas, Khaliev introduced the term “tornado kick” into the MMA lexicon for a much wider audience. The little-known Russian middleweight had made his professional debut barely two months earlier but became a viral superstar overnight under the League S-70 banner. As his bout with Belyaev neared its midway point, Khaliev backed his foe into the ropes, planted his left foot, whirled and brought the same foot whipping violently into Belyaev’s head. The ropes became a slingshot of sorts, as the unconscious Belyaev fell to the mat, face first and lifeless. Khaliev walked away nonchalantly as if it were just another day at the gym.

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