# Who is the best head kick knockout artist in UFC history?

> Head kicks end fights in a blink, and these strikers turned them into signatures: title-changing shots, stunning upsets and spinning highlight-reel finishes across every era of the octagon.

*By YPB Team · Published October 26, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-head-kick-knockout-artist-in-ufc-history*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Edson Barboza** — score 1000/1000
   Brazilian Muay Thai striker whose spinning wheel kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142 is still replayed as one of the greatest ever.
2. **Holly Holm** — score 1000/1000
   The boxer-kickboxer who ended Ronda Rousey's reign with a left head kick at UFC 193 in 2015, one of the sport's biggest upsets.
3. **Vitor Belfort** — score 636/1000
   'The Phenom' who scored three head kick knockouts in 2013, over Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson.
4. **Stephen Thompson** — score 636/1000
   'Wonderboy', the karate-trained welterweight whose spinning hook kick knocked out Jake Ellenberger in 2014.
5. **Valentina Shevchenko** — score 538/1000
   Long-reigning flyweight champion whose left head kick knocked Jessica Eye out cold at UFC 238.
6. **Chuck Liddell** — score 538/1000
   'The Iceman', the light heavyweight legend who knocked out Renato Sobral with a head kick at UFC 40.
7. **Rashad Evans** — score 538/1000
   The former light heavyweight champion whose head kick on Sean Salmon in 2007 became one of the UFC's most-replayed knockouts.
8. **Leon Edwards** — score 538/1000
   The British welterweight who won the UFC title at UFC 278 with a last-minute head kick that flattened Kamaru Usman.
9. **Anderson Silva** — score 418/1000
   Longtime middleweight champion whose front kick to the face knocked out Vitor Belfort at UFC 126.
10. **Donald Cerrone** — score 418/1000
   'Cowboy', the long-time UFC wins leader whose head kicks finished opponents such as Adriano Martins and Matt Brown.
11. **Rose Namajunas** — score 418/1000
   The two-time strawweight champion who regained the belt by knocking out Zhang Weili with a left head kick at UFC 261.
12. **Marlon Vera** — score 418/1000
   'Chito', the bantamweight who knocked out Dominick Cruz with a head kick and Frankie Edgar with a front kick to the face in 2022.
13. **Uriah Hall** — score 418/1000
   The middleweight known for highlight spinning kicks, including his knockout spinning hook kick of Adam Cella on The Ultimate Fighter.
14. **Anthony Pettis** — score 418/1000
   'Showtime', the kick specialist who knocked out Joe Lauzon with a head kick in his second UFC fight at UFC 144.
15. **Lyoto Machida** — score 0/1000
   Karate stylist who retired Randy Couture with a jumping front kick, the 'crane kick', at UFC 129.
16. **TJ Dillashaw** — score 0/1000
   The bantamweight who took the title from Renan Barão at UFC 173 after dropping him with a head kick and finishing with punches.
17. **Gabriel Gonzaga** — score 0/1000
   The heavyweight who beat feared kicker Mirko Cro Cop at his own game with a right head kick at UFC 70.
18. **Justin Gaethje** — score 0/1000
   The brawling lightweight who won the BMF title at UFC 291 by knocking out Dustin Poirier with a right head kick.

Tags: ufc, fighters, mma, knockouts