Sherdog’s Top 10: Head Kick Knockouts

Mike SloanSep 16, 2015



10. Stephen Thompson vs. Jake Ellenberger
“The Ultimate Fighter 21” Finale
July 12, 2015 | Las Vegas


Spinning hook kicks work just fine for scripted martial arts movie stars. In real life, however, they rarely find their mark, and they are typically viewed as ill-advised techniques, even for a splendid kickboxer with Thompson’s skill set. Yet “Wonderboy” ignored the traditional rules and laughed in the face of the potential consequences.

In “The Ultimate Fighter 21” Finale main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Thompson dropped Ellenberger to his knees after he sent a spinning hook kick crashing into his head. “The Juggernaut” struggled back to his feet after Thompson pounced and probably did not give a second thought to the South Carolinian using the same exotic kick again, let alone landing it. Thompson surprised, drilled him with a second spinning hook kick and the fight was over.

Number 9 » Sylvia vs. Telligman