#10: Shinya Aoki‘s Flying Guard Pull/Japanese Backpack
(Aoki vs. Cavalcante and Moore, respectively.)
When you fight Aoki you know he wants to get things to the ground, and he knows that you know it. Takedowns and sweeps can be hard to come by against an opponent looking to defend them and almost nothing else, so Aoki has had to find other , more creative ways of getting the fight where he wants it, even getting thrown and briefly mounted from time to time. One of our favorite maneuvers is his flying guard pull. It may look silly, but more often than not you’re coming down with him and playing the ground game. If you defend that, he can always jump on you from behind like a kitschy Japanese backpack. Think “Hello Kitty,” only way more dangerous.
#9: Matt Hughes‘ Slam
(Hughes KO slams Newton at the 1-minute mark, Frank Trigg gets his at 3:20.)
When wrestlers first emerged as a dominant force in MMA they faced an obvious problem: nothing in their background had prepared them to finish fights. In the UFC, pinning dudes will just get you boos and a call for action from Big John, so you’d better come up with something else. Matt Hughes did, and that something was his farmboy slam. He knocked Carlos Newton out with it at UFC 34, and used it as a staple in his game for years. Even if it was rarely as effective in ending fights as it was against Newton, it still looked cool when he walked across the cage with an opponent on his shoulder like a sack of flour, and it sure got the fans fired up, like it did in Hughes’ dramatic comeback victory against Frank Trigg at UFC 52.
#8: Masakazu Imanari‘s Leg Locks
(Imanari vs. Jorge Gurgel @ ZST Grand Prix Opening Round, 11/23/03)
Ever since he won his first pro fight by heel-hook, Masakazu Imanari has been on a one-man crusade to elevate the leg lock from an underappreciated, sort-of-dishonorable gimmick attack into one of the most fearsome finishing moves in mixed martial arts. The Ashikan Judan (“10th-Degree Black Belt in Leglocks”) has scored eight of his sixteen career victories by way of his signature submission, and once defeated Mike Brown and Yoshiro Maeda in the same night via leg-subs to win DEEP’s featherweight title. It doesn’t matter that at this point Imanari’s opponents know it’s coming; watch the above video of his fight against Jorge Gurgel and you’ll understand why. Imanari attacks knees and ankles ferociously, relentlessly, and with extreme prejudice. He’s taking your leg home with him, and you won’t be able to do a damn thing about it.
#7: Brock Lesnar‘s Hammer Fists
(Round 2 of Lesnar vs. Randy Couture @ UFC 91, 11/15/08)
My Muay Thai instructor once referred to Brock Lesnar’s trademark ground-and-pound attack, not unkindly, as “masturbation punches,” which is about as good a description as we can offer. Think about it — they’re short, rapid, furious, and performed by a panting, red-faced man on the brink of ecstasy. Of course, when those punches are coming from Lesnar, a 280-pound behemoth with XXXXL fists, it’s the furthest thing from a joke. Sure, maybe Brock’s hammer fists would be more effective if he calmed down a little bit and threw them from higher up. But when he’s on top and there’s blood in the water, the frenzy takes over. It’s less about the one-punch knockout and more about creating an onslaught that his opponent can’t breathe under. Referee Steve Mazzagatti saved Frank Mir from being hammer-fisted to death by Lesnar during their first match last February; next time, he might not be so lucky.
#6: Chuck Liddell‘s Looping Overhand Right
(Liddell vs. Ortiz @ UFC 47, 4/2/04)
It’s the kind of punch that drives boxing fanatics crazy. It doesn’t come in straight and doesn’t look all that technically sound, yet Liddell’s looping right hand has found its way past the defenses of some of MMA’s best light heavyweights, and when it lands it spells trouble. Like most things in Liddell’s arsenal, it works best as a counter-attack (see: Liddell vs. Couture, parts 2 & 3), but if you’re just going to stand there and cover up like a frightened Tito Ortiz he’s not afraid to unleash it as part of a combo. Far less effective is Liddell’s Uppercut-While-Leaving-Chin-Unguarded, though it’s also become a signature move of a different kind in recent months.
#5: Lyoto Machida’s Foot Sweeps
(Machida vs. BJ Penn, Thiago Silva, and Kazuhiro Nakamura. Props to “Smoogy” on the UG.)
Double-leg takedowns are for the commoners — when a true martial artist wants to get you to the mat, he simply hooks his foot out and delicately pushes you over it. Yes, it’s a little strange to see a technique from the karate classes of our youth being used to punk some of the world’s top fighters. But Lyoto isn’t concerned with inflicting more damage than anybody else, or finishing fights as quickly as possible. His only goal is to showcase the superiority of his style. He’d rather break an opponent down mentally than physically. Hence, the foot-sweep, which comes out of nowhere, turns your momentum against you, and frustrates you out of your gameplan. When performed by the Dragon, it’s poetry.
#4: Anderson Silva’s Thai Clinch
(Silva vs. Rich Franklin @ UFC 64, 10/14/06)
Ciudad Juarez. North Korea’s Gulag. Anderson Silva’s plum clinch. Not the best places to be, to put it mildly. Rich Franklin learned that the hard way (and woke up without a championship belt) at UFC 64, when Anderson Silva latched on a double-collar tie about a minute-and-a-half into their fight and didn’t stop throwing knees until Ace collapsed. Franklin was completely helpless in Silva’s Thai clinch, and said afterwards that he had not been prepared for the Spider’s strength in that position. Well, now we know. Victory Belt is currently working on an instructional book dedicated entirely to Anderson Silva’s clinch, so one day even you can turn the deceptively simple controlling-hold into a death sentence.
#3: Cro Cop‘s Head Kicks
(Cro Cop vs. Aleks Emelianenko @ Pride Final Conflict 2004, 8/15/04)
Back when he was the second best heavyweight in Pride, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic’s left high kick was the stuff of the terrifying, wet-the-bed kind of nightmares. Not only could it scramble your brain even if you managed to block it somewhat, he could also flick it out there at any time, no telegraphing or set-up required. The fact that he dispatched so many opponents with it made it all the more ironic when Gabriel Gonzaga felled Cro Cop with his own favorite weapon at UFC 70, making the Croatian’s career seem even more like a Greek tragedy. The head kick giveth, and the head kick taketh the hell away.
#2: Fedor Emelianenko‘s Armbar
(Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman @ PRIDE Total Elimination 2004, 4/25/04)
For a dude with lovehandles, Fedor Emelianenko is shockingly nimble. Though he gets just as much credit for the inhuman velocity of his power punches, it’s Fedor’s bear-trap-like armbars — which he has used to take out fighters like Mark Coleman (twice), Matt Lindland, and Hong-Man Choi — that have made him truly legendary. His first ‘bar against Coleman, which you can watch above, is our favorite because it barely makes sense on a physical level. A simple bounce of the hips and Coleman is snapped up in the alligator’s jaws. How does he make it look that easy? Where does the power come from? “Only God,” Fedor might say. To which we’d reply, “No, seriously.”
1. Bas Rutten’s Liver Shot
(Rutten vs. Jason Delucia in Pancrase, 6/25/96. Liver shot #1 comes at the 3-minute mark. It only gets worse from there. The narration is priceless.)
“El Guapo’s” left hook liver shot is probably MMA’s first signature move, and, much like the famed Jackalope, its legend has only grown over time. One of the only body shots that can reliably end a fight, Rutten put it to good use in his Pancrase days when those sissies wouldn’t let him punch people in the head with a closed fist. Now the punch has its own t-shirt, instructional videos, and anyone who has ever worked out to Rutten’s thai boxing CD has combinations like “right straight/liver shot” seared into their brains. No one will ever do it quite like Bas, though. Just ask poor Jason Delucia.
Honorable Mentions: Jon Jones‘ spinning back elbows, Wanderlei Silva‘s psychotic windmill, Rampage Jackson’s left hook, Joe Stevenson‘s guillotine.
Dishonorable Mentions: James Thompson’s gong-and-rush, Chris Leben‘s foot stomps, Kalib Starnes‘ flight-over-fight.
Think we missed any? Of course you do. Might as well let us know in the comments section…
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Comments
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:35
First? anyway pretty sweet video
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:36
I don’t really know where in the top ten this would fit but I would probably have Gasp’s spin-kick in there somewhere.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:37
what about Mark Coleman's headbutts?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:37
sorry GSP’s not Gasp's
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:42
Shogun's headstomps and soccer kicks should make the list =)
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:44
Can't forget about Shonie Carter's Super backhand-spinning bitch slaps!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:44
C.B. Dolloway's Peruvian necktie should be there somewhere. He's the only mma guy I've seen pull that move.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:45
the gong rush is a legitamate tactic. now if only he could do something with it...
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:54
Cung Le's spinning back kick.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:58
You forgot Junie Browning's glass/mug/bottle throw.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:59
I am completely shocked that Tim Sylvia's lovehandle jiggle was excluded from this list.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:03
I can only hope Rashad Evan's monthly prostate checkup to pimp smack combo becomes a signature. Seriously, I've always liked Shonie's Carter nuthuggers and spinning backfifst. If you don't think his unsavory banana warmers are an offensive attack, you obviously never been in a fight at a bachelorette party.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:04
Watching the Hughes video almost brings a tear to my eye...those were the days before he had to make excuses. He is too old now, and I hope he retires after the fight with Serra win or lose.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:07
GSP's various superman punches.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:09
clay guidas man hug, cung le scissor takedown,
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:10
How about the Randy Couture double leg take down. I've seen him pull it off on many of his fights.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:11
Daisuke Nakamura's flying armbars...
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:12
wow. fedors armbar blew my mind.. he popped his hips a little then just stuck it.. wow. hes even more the man know..
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:13
A perfect 10 CP! Great videos.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:16
Genki Sudo's spinning backfists and his fake jump-spinning guard pass thing that was fucking awesome.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:18
Want to know my signature move?--I point at some dude and go, "You're definitely gay." I wish I had friends.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:20
Mark Hunt's Atomic Butt Drop anyone?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:20
I love submissions much more than knockouts. IMO, it takes more skill and prolongs a fighters career if they try and get submissions rather than stand and bang.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:22
BJ Penn's Lose & Whine
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:22
TUF Guys HAYUKEN! LoL CP ~~~
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:23
Joe Lauzons ear wiggle.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:27
how about David "The Crow" Loiseau's elbows man!!!!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:31
luiz cane's "baby powder" bitch slap, left hook combo
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:31
Gilbert Yvel's DQ is kind of a signature move. I imagine if he were in the UFC video game he would he the ability at any time to KO a ref or something.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:32
uhh jens left straight bj pens rubber gaurd nick diaz right uppercut left hook rampages left hook your a fucking idiot maybe u forgot rampages slams dumbasss and i dunno i think thats it ohh and akihiro gonos ring entrance
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:32
That was one of the funniest things I have read in awhile.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:33
CP, you finally have done it. As a practitioner and fan, this is what I want to see. Nailed it. Gimme more.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:37
Shaolin's arm triangle choke is one of the best signature finishing moves in mma! And what about Joachim Hansen's sudden knee? He killed Imanari, Uno and Azeredo with it and those are some of his biggest victories. Pele's knee's deserve mentioning, too. Oleg Taktarov's kneebar. Also Nate Marquardt's finish of Gouviea is probably going to be the signature move of his career.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:42
How'd the nipple tweak get excluded?!!!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:44
"Kadowaki Special", anyone? Or Rickson's armbar at least.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:45
that fedor armbar is absolutely insane.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:48
How the fuck is franticly throwing hammer fists a top ten signature move. He looks like a fuckin retard trying to rub one out. Brock lesnar is fucking clown shoes I cant wait for Mir to break one of his limbs.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:49
Sakuraba's double hand chop, anyone?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:51
holy fuck guys bas rutten is so good at fighting he can commentate on while he fights!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:52
Should add the aoki-plata for Shinya and everyone knows about Nick Diaz and his signature stoned gogoplata. I would also say that Minowa is actually more know for his leg locks than Imanari because he has more leg lock wins than anyone...
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:53
Nipple Tweak?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:55
Yea, what War Machines Dad said...
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:55
I would've included Clay Guida's "multiple failed takedowns into a takedown" combo, and also anything Crazyhorse Bennett does before the fight. My favorite? Just laying down during introductions and sleeping. Or the GSP lube injestion. Oooor the Tim Sylvia pee-pee taste.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:56
the bj penn loss excuse? the urijah faber hair bounce and shine? the gsp vaseline mount? the tim sylvia fetel position? the wanderlei silva psychotic wrist stretch? the josh koscheck kick slip? and the rampage jackson snarl?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:01
^^^ Agreed /w Nate Marquardt's tekken combos. also CP forgot: Kenny Florian's rear-naked-choke. Thiago Alves' leg kicks. Georges St. Pierre's takedowns (I thought this was going to be #1). Also, Jon Jones is too new to have a signature move but if he did it'd be his suplexes.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:04
That gif of Lyoto sweeping BJ is my favorite thing on this entire list. He just puts his left hand on BJ's forehead and shoves him down like a bitch!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:05
The Newton / Hughes slam finish is a myth. The reality is that Hughes was out before he hit the ground. I've watched it a few times, and you can tell he was out of it. If you ever catch the replay on UFC Unleashed on Spike, you can hear him tell his corner "I was out" after the fight.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:09
Wow! He broke his liver? I just don't know what to say to that.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:10
This should be so obvious, Rampage's slams. Unless I'm and idiot and completely missed it on the list.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:10
Tito's elbows, Shogun's stomps, Coleman's syringes, Phil Baroni's anything
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:12
Sean Salmon's Foot-eating exhibition
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:14
I loved the choice of Bas Rutten liver shots as number one. What a joy to watch.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:15
Showing Matt Hughes fall unconscious in a triangle choke and drop someone isn't the best example of a slam. He says to his corner afterwards, "what happened?" Also, I dont know how anyone can be impressed with C.B's peruvian neck tie, it's just a guillotine variation. Is it the name that impresses you, or that Joe Rogan was excited about it?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:26
Seth Petruzelli's jab.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:27
I'm with Jared, as far as unique signature moves go, Sakuraba's double bitch slap is worth mentioning, although the list here is great already.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:27
K-Flo's Hellbows anyone?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:42
I'm with the whoever said Shogun's head stomps. The silhouette of him stomping someone's head was even his signature t-shirt. Also, what about David Loiseau's and/or Kenny Florian's elbows. I know Loiseau has fallen on hard times lately, and Florian has become about much more than the sharpness of his elbows, but those still stick in my mind. And what about Dan Henderson's signature split-decision? He's used that more than any fighter I know.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:01
OO===D~~~ O->-< TUF GUY
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:05
Don Frye's ball sweat soaked american flag shorts.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:05
Kimbo's eye punch out!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:09
LMAO @ LYOTO MAKING BJ HIS BITCH. JUST A LITTLE PUSH OF THE FACE.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:11
I love the foot sweep. I was at UFC 87 and that's where I first saw a good one. Being in Minnesota, pretty much the entire crowd was pulling for Huerta and out of nowhere Florian just dumped him on his ass. Everyone around me went from yelling and cheering for Roger to a quick silence that yielded some embarrassed ooh's. The live video didn't do it any justice and they never really showed a replay of it, but the momentum change even in the crowd alone was priceless.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:12
It may sound weird but what about GSP's takedown defense? Didn't they give some stat where he's been on his back for like a minute in all his fights? And I know everybody hates Tito but how did Brock's "angry 4 yr. old" punches beat his ground and pound and elbows?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:13
Kazushi Sakuraba's jumping guard stomp has to at least get honorable mention.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:14
DUDE......WTF......Evan Tanners Triangles.......he's finished more guys in the ufc than anyone with that move. ffs man, add that immediately.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:19
I just read all the comments thinking surely someone, one of the hardcore mma fans of this site would of mentioned Tanners Triangles.....fuck no, you cocksuckers disapoint me. How soon the avg fan forgets about the greats....fuck you all.....lol. Now add Tanners Tris as part of this.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:25
Could have included K-Flow's sick elbow strikes.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:30
Why aren't Rampage's slam's on there? Is it because he hasn't really done one in a while?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:38
CB's taps
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:39
BJ Penn's RNC with one arm trapped. Thats how he finished Jens Pulver and Joe Stevenson
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:42
genki sudo's in the guard windmill spin into ankle lock. and anything else genki sudo does.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:46
#3 is a badass mothafucking fight
Wed, 03/25/09 - 02:02
How about Mark Colemans ground and pound?! He was its founder!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 02:22
I agree that the nipple tweaking and GSP's superman punches hit the list too
Wed, 03/25/09 - 02:28
Bas is the greatest man of all time, so sweet he's #1. And ya WHERE THE FUCK ARE RAMPAGES SLAMS?!?!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 02:50
How about Faber's "he's holding one of my legs so I'll just throw a knee with the one I'm standing on" Also, GSP's nipple tweaks, totally.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 03:24
Nog getting knocked down.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 03:26
yeah, rampage's slams definitely need to be there but he hasn't done them in a while cause the ufc has him fighting people his own size and not someone like Minowa. speaking of minowa, his awakening from unconcsiousness to complain about an early stoppage could be on the dishonorable mention list. also, bj penn making excuses after losing should be on there. it's pretty much what he's gonna be known for now. Sakuraba's kimura could be there as well.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 03:55
Ken Shamrock taking on a mountain of pudding is going to be his signature for the rest of his career- the next twenty or thirty years...
Wed, 03/25/09 - 04:37
Wanderlie's homicides, Seth's "karate Kid Crane" jab, Guida's "Spooning", Nogeria's playing possum subs.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 05:52
What about Anderson Silva's hand-dancing? Never has such a graceful display lulled so many into a trance-like stupor.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 07:05
To fftankr - That was fuckin hilarious! The Koscheck- headkick slip should be there for sure. Forget about Gono's entrances. Genki Sudo's entrances put his to shame. Sudo's stand-up 'technique' should be there roo. I'm really surprised the Rampage slam didn't make it. Mark Kerr headbutt GSP Superman Right Straight or Left Jab Matt Hamill's slowass jabs Sean Sherks pulled punches....fast, but barely make contact
Wed, 03/25/09 - 07:23
You guys forgot Dana White's signature phantom punch (deployed by commercial hero of the moment). It has dropped Shamrock, Couture and Tito in the past. Just watch the vids.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 08:04
Honorable mentions should go to the Randleplex
Wed, 03/25/09 - 08:39
Rampages slams for sure was missed
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:30
GSP's signature move isn't a potential finishing move, it's a positioning move: passing guard. Who passes like GSP? Anyone? Ever? That Trigg fight is still among the most amazing things I've ever seen in the Octagon or ring. Like JoRo said, it's like butter.
Thu, 03/26/09 - 12:31
Heath Herring's "i'm not gay" missed the list.
Thu, 03/26/09 - 01:42
TOP TEN MOVES THAT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE LIST: 1) GSPs "Superman Punch"! 2) Machida's "Elusive Decision-Maker"! 3) Parisyan's "All-show-and-no-go-judo-throw" 4) Diaz brothers' "waving hand distraction counter-punch "! 5) Gray Maynard's "Double KO SLAM"! 6) Sakuraba's "Double Hand Slap"! 7) Matt Hughes' "Fake-a-low-blow show" (this is more of a defensive move) 8) Genki Sudo's "Backward fighting stance" 9) Jorge Gurgel's "Face to Fist Beatdown" 10) Sean Sherk's "Lay and Prayyy"
Thu, 03/26/09 - 01:50
Nobuhiko Takada's devastating knees to the ass (recently employed by Yoshiro Maeda) Also, Jeff Monson's UNDER CLAW
Thu, 03/26/09 - 05:05
GSP's Superman punches
Thu, 03/26/09 - 06:01
What about Chuck Lidell's signature "Folding Chair" defense? You know, the one one that prevents him from being concious for the remainder of the fight. The push button for this move is located in his chin.
Thu, 03/26/09 - 06:23
Man, i missed the old Pride days, before Dana white ruined it. It seemed much more exciting when you don't understand japanese hhaha
Thu, 03/26/09 - 07:12
how about the kimbo slice "get knocked out by a gay dude with faggy emo hair throwing a off balance defensive jab"
Thu, 03/26/09 - 07:49
JONES SPINNING BACK ELBOW.......almost put bonnar out...ppl know its coming and still cant stop it
Thu, 03/26/09 - 07:51
sakuraba's low single and standing kimura nuff said
Fri, 03/27/09 - 03:30
How bout the Diaz brother's summer salt out of back mount?
Mon, 03/30/09 - 06:16
Good list. Joachim Hansen's Knee of Death, B.J. Penn's Rear Naked Choke with one leg trapped, any of the Chute Box guys soccer kicks, and Rampage's Pride Slams are good ones too. Dishonorable mention goes to Eddie Alvarez's immaculately arched eyebrows.
Thu, 04/02/09 - 12:12
Fuck Baroni he's a peice of shit
Thu, 04/02/09 - 09:25
Genki Sudo and his triangle. He was an artist at getting it on fast and locking it in hard.
Tue, 09/22/09 - 09:03
I was always fond of Sakuraba's kimura.
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