For as skilled as some MMA fighters are, some for some reason no matter how long they’ve practiced striking are completely pillow fisted. And what we mean is that they could punch people completely clean and just not have an effect on their opponent.
Now this isn’t a knock on them as fighters as it takes more than just courage to fight inside a cage. But sadly, these five fighters just don’t have those the kind of exciting KO power that most of the general audience wants to see.
5) Diego Sanchez
The Ultimate Fighter veteran may be a fan favorite for his balls-to-the-wall style, but if there’s anything that’s certain, he’s not a KO artist. He’s been in several wars throughout his career and has won many decisions by throwing countless punches into the air and not KO’ing anyone. Out of 26 wins, he’s only KO’d two people.
4) Dominick Cruz
The UFC’s Dominick Cruz may be their current bantamweight champion, but he didn’t get there by being a KO artist. With his wrestling and unparalleled movement, his methodology is to move and not get hit just like Floyd Mayweather. He never really commits to his punches thus leading to only have two KO wins on his record.
3) Ben Askren
The current OneFC and former Bellator welterweight champion Funky Ben Askren is one of the best wrestlers in MMA. The former Olympian has been able to use his funky style to take down his opponents and win unanimously. Although he’s TKO’d a few of his recent opponents, there’s probably a reason why the UFC hasn’t begged him to come in.
2) Jon Fitch
Jon Fitch used to be one of the best welterweights in the UFC. He even had the opportunity to fight for the title against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87. But due to his sleep inducing style of taking his opponents down and smothering them to a decision, he was eventually cut for the organization. With 28 wins on his record, he has only clean KO’d one opponent with it occurring in 2002.
1) Jake Shields
Although he’s not in the UFC anymore, Jake Shields is probably still one of the top MMA welterweights out there today. He’s a former Rumble on The Rock, Elite XC, Shooto welterweight champion and Strikeforce middleweight champion. Although he’s trained with the likes of Nick & Nate Diaz and Gilbert Melendez, his striking was not the prettiest thing to watch. He has primarily used his American Jiu-jitsu to defeat his opponents and has no KO wins on his record.
Clyde Erwin Barretto is an emphatic obsessed fan of mixed martial arts, combat sports and body movement. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeBarretto.
