As fight fans we appreciate a hard fought decision, but nothing satisfies our bloodlust more than a decisive finish in the first frame. Tyson’s superstardom and aura of invincibility came directly from his consistent first round finishes. Because they’re so rare, first round victories are relished by spectators.

When fighting an opponent with a height advantage, looping overhand punches tend to replace traditional hooks. Because the target (chin) is slightly elevated, new striking angles must be taken in order to neutralize said opponent’s advantage. Randy Couture and Mark Hunt utilized overhand punches to out strike MMA giants Tim Sylvia and Stefan Struve.

If a fighter is dropped in a match he becomes more susceptible to hitting the deck again. His mobility and equilibrium can become compromised. The same goes for the ability to sustain damage. It’s similar to a tree that’s been hacked at several times; each blow causes the tree to falter until it’s downed.

Speed and accuracy are core components of devastating striking strength. Momentum and torque amplify speed resulting in more power. In the clip below we see Said Magomedov square off against Alim Cimpan in a kickboxing bout. Magomedov treats us to two fantastic knockdowns. In both instances, Magomedov counterstrikes off his opponent’s jab.

In the first knockdown we see Cimpan pump a jab only to be floored by Magomedov’s overhand right. The bout continued, but Cimpan was noticeably more tentative. The fight ending blow came against the ropes. Magomedov successfully trapped his opponent by nearly backing him into a corner. In order to create distance for a possible escape, Cimpan attempted a jab. Cimpan’s straight strike was countered with a thunderous wheel kick that sent him directly to the canvas. Magomedov walked away with the victory in impressive fashion.