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9. Tim Sylvia vs. Tra Telligman
UFC 54
Aug. 20, 2005 | Las Vegas

Forget the fact that Sylvia is unfairly mocked by tough-guy MMA fans the world over: The hulking “Maine-iac” was a frightening striker in the days before, during and after his reigns as Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder. Nothing encapsulated his striking prowess more than when he blew away Telligman with one of the most grisly knockouts in the history of the sport.

In the closing seconds of the opening frame of a measured battle, Telligman backed away toward the fence and gave Sylvia the perfect moment to strike. He unleashed a “Cro Cop”-esque left head kick that instantly removed Telligman from consciousness. Telligman lay motionless for a few minutes, and it took medics almost 10 minutes to finally get him out of the Octagon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It seems curious that this was Sylvia’s most brutal knockout, but it hardly ever registers with anybody and rarely makes highlight reels.

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