1. Rashad Evans vs. Sean Salmon
UFC Fight Night 8
Jan. 25, 2007 | Hollywood, Florida
Even though Evans entered the cage on the strength of a second-round knockout of Jason Lambert, the future light heavyweight champion was routinely criticized by media and fans. He was considered by some to be a horrendously dull wrestler who “laid-and-prayed” his way to victories. What virtually nobody knew was that Evans possessed devastating power in his legs. Salmon hung tough with “The Ultimate Fighter 2” winner in the first round, but a minute into the second, he lay motionless on his back, his toes still curled. Evans thwacked a right high kick off Salmon’s face, forcing him to bow forward before slamming backward onto the back of his head. He did not get any favors from Evans, who nailed him with follow-up punches before referee Troy Waugh could arrive on the scene.
The Sherdog Top 10 series is voted upon by a panel of Sherdog.com staff members and contributors: Jordan Breen, Tristen Critchfield, Mike Fridley, Brian Knapp, Drake Riggs and Mike Sloan.