In MMA, an opponent can be knocked out or a technical knockout by the other with an enormous range of moves. A (KO) indicates that the fighter is knocked out and is not conscious, while a (TKO) indicates that a fighter cannot defend himself with all his intelligence, and a referee decides to halt and call the end of the fight.
The most typical mechanism of a knockout occurs when there is a strike on the face that damages the brain, which revolves within the skull, resulting in temporary loss of consciousness or reduced function.
List of strikes and moves utilized to knockout in MMA
Punches:
Straight Punch (Jab/Cross): Straight punch thrown directly from the shoulder, usually employed in establishing other strikes or landing cleanly on the chin.
Hook: A hooking punch with the lead or rear hand, targeting the side of the head or body.
Uppercut: A rising punch that typically targets the chin from underneath.
Overhand (Overhand Right): A looping punch thrown over the guard of the opponent, usually with great power.
Combinations: Strings of punches (such as 1-2 combo: jab-cross) that break down the opponent’s defense and create openings.
Ground and Pound: Pounding a grounded opponent (typically in a dominating position) with punches and elbows.
Kicks:
Head Kick (High Kick): A kick to the head of the opponent, typically with the shin or instep. Can be roundhouse, axe kick, or hook kick.
Body Kick: A kick to the torso (ribs, liver, solar plexus) of the opponent. Liver shots are especially deadly.
Leg Kick (Low Kick): A kick to the opponent’s thigh (inner or outer), with the purpose of injuring legs and restricting mobility, ultimately resulting in a TKO.
Spinning Back Kick/Wheel Kick: A spin kick in which the fighter spins and kicks the heel or instep to the head or body.
Flying Knee: A knee strike launched from an aerial position while jumping, usually when an opponent shoots for a takedown or charges forward.
Oblique Kick: A kick to the knee, usually aimed at the front of the knee to jeopardize leg stability.
Knees:
Clinch Knee: Strikes to the knee from a clinch position, usually to the body or head.
Flying Knee: (Previously described, but reiterated because of its KO potential).
Elbows:
Standing Elbows: Short and stinging elbow strikes, useful in close distance or clinch.
Spinning Back Elbow: A spinning elbow strike, usually when not expected and very debilitating.
Ground and Pound Elbows: Strikes to an opponent on the ground with the elbows.
Slams:
Slam KOs: Though seldom, a fighter may be knocked out from being slammed onto the canvas while attempting a takedown.
Specific/Signature Moves (usually combinations of the above): Certain fighters develop certain patterns in which they obtain knockouts, usually combinations of techniques:
“H-Bomb” (Dan Henderson): An overhand right.
“Showtime Kick” (Anthony Pettis): A jumping kick off the cage.
Spinning Back Elbow (Jon Jones): A deadly rotational elbow strike.
Front Kick to the Face (Anderson Silva): A straight kick to the chin.
Liver Shot: Although a body shot, it is very effective and has caused many KOs because of its effect on the nervous system.
