The Most Devastating Leg Kicks in UFC History

Leg kicks are among the most brutal and effective weapons in the vast arsenal of mixed martial arts (MMA). When thrown with precision and power, they can incapacitate an opponent, hinder his mobility, and through that very ability, change the tides of a fight. The UFC has witnessed an array of fighters who mastered the low kick to dismantle their opponents and get victory. In this article, we will focus on some of the most devastating leg kicks that history has in the UFC by some of the fighters who made this their weapon of choice, and the unforgettable moment this blow created inside the Octagon.

1. Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber (WEC 48)
   Even before he arrived in the UFC, he was already a force to be reckoned with in the WEC. His fight with Urijah Faber in WEC 48 is perhaps the single most iconic showcase of leg kicks in MMA history. Aldo mercilessly brutalized and pounded upon the lead leg of Faber. It really left an impression on the sport. Aldo was continuously attacking Faber’s leg with every strong leg-kick, which eventually left him becoming significantly swollen by the end of the second round, whereby the fighter could hardly support his weight with the injured leg.
   As tough and durable as Faber is, the damage was too severe to be dealt with.

Although Unanimous Decision went to Aldo, the lasting impression was Faber’s battered leg, which seemed to act as a testament to how effective Aldo’s leg kicks really were. This is considered by many as one of the most dominating performances throughout the entire sport of mixed martial arts in showcasing Aldo’s striking and how leg kicks can be utterly devastating.

2. Edson Barboza VS Rafaello Oliveira (UFC 162)

Edson Barboza is generally regarded as one of the best strikers in the history of the UFC. His leg kicks most definitely factor into his formula for pure success. At UFC 162, Barboza fought Rafaello Oliveira in a lightweight contest, an encounter that would be only remembered for the unbridled savagery of Barboza’s leg kicks.

Having launched a devastating attack on Oliveira’s lead leg since the opening bell, Barboza had shocked each time he landed the punishing kicks. Oliveira, doing his best to check and return fire, could offer but bare minimum to the blitzing Barboza in terms of speed and power. His movement was gone. By the middle of the second round, Oliveira was so hobbled he couldn’t stand straight. Par for the course, Barboza wasted no time cornering his foe, and eventually, the ref was obligated to halt the 155-pound rumble with a TKO victory for Barboza courtesy of the kicks.

Barboza’s performance at UFC 162 remains one of the most destructive displays of leg kicks, in how they can completely dismantle an opponent.

3. Thiago Alves vs Josh Koscheck, UFC 90, 200

There is no doubt that with the strength behind his barroom punch and engaging in vintage aggression, Thiago Alves in his prime at welterweight was a scarier proposition. One of his best performances was a fight at UFC 90 against Josh Koscheck, which saw Alves display some real hurting leg kicks in that fight.

Every deliberate strike from the Brazilian throughout the fight seemed to target the left leg of Koscheck, landing with bone-breaking impact. Koscheck, being a wrestler by trade and unyielded by repeatedly being kicked in the same spot, had difficulty closing the distance to neutralize the power in the kicks and trying his offense in that same respect by Alves, who would not let up on the punishment to his leg. Alves’ leg kicks had had such a large effect that the damage done by them really hurt Koscheck’s movement and added to Alves winning a unanimous decision.

By far the best example of how leg kicks can certainly neutralize an opponent and their ability to carry out the game plan is Alves and a win over Koscheck. That solidified Alves as one of the most dangerous welterweight fighters at that time.

4. Pedro Rizzo vs. Dan Severn (UFC 27)

The fight between Pedro Rizzo and Dan Severn fought during UFC 27 was a classic example of his similarly devastating use of the technique. Rizzo is a Brazilian skilled striker renowned for his powerful kicks, and Severn, of course, legendary, was about to experience this first-hand.

Immediately, Rizzo started attacking Severn’s legs with hard kicks, all of them making echoing sounds around the arena. Severn, who is famed for his toughness, worked to push forward, but the damaged Sumo’s leg took its toll. And by the time the fight ended, Severn’s leg was so compromised from the inside that he could hardly stand, and Rizzo got the stoppage win.

This fight is typically remembered as one of the first examples of how so much leg-swinging and knee-chopping could tilt an MMA battle and helped solidify Rizzo as a real force in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

5. Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Johnson (The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale, 2017)

Justin Gaethje is an aggressive fighter known for his relentless aggression inside the octagon. Arguably, his leg kicks are the ones paying off really great. In his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale against Michael Johnson, Gaethje set out to show his skill of kicking competitors’ legs.

Right from the beginning, Gaethje landed his wrecking balls on Johnson’s legs. The shots grew heavier throughout the round, and Johnson gradually had worse mobility. Although he tried to recover, his leg was clearly compromised by the shots from Gaethje. By the second round, he was observed limping, yet Gaethje just continued the pressure, eventually sealing the fight with some strikes on Friday.
In the performance against Johnson, Gaethje did remind all onlookers that leg kicks may well indeed be effective—even against high-level competition. Truly worn opponents down by this method is a considerable way that has turned into a true staple of his fighting style.

6. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Jim Miller (UFC Fight Night 45

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is among the most productive fighters in the history of Ultimate Fighting Championship, with his diversified striking and love for head kicks. However, in this battle against Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 45, it was a night to tell the story.

He began to work his strikes into a combination, though it was the leg kicks that wore Miller down. Finally, Miller was having to switch a few times as he positioned and eventually crumbled under a head kick from Cerrone. RUN ON In the second of the four-minute round, his leg was tremendously damaged, and Cerrone landed a head kick to end it.

Cerrone’s victory over Miller was a classic example of a blueprint for how damaging leg beats can be in breaking down an opponent’s defenses, subsequently creating chances for further offense. It turns out to be one of the better varieties of Cerrone’s performances in the UFC cage.

7. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Lyoto Machida

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Lyoto Machida in their first battle at UFC 104 turned out very tactical but technical. It showed how Rua could keep on churning leg kicks at an elusive Machida. Lyoto Machida was coming into this fight with his undefeated record, being known for really striking, based on Karate, and also his natural counterpunching style.

Knowing what was at hand, Rua came up with the game plan to attack Machida’s legs. Throughout the match, Rua connected on dozens of leg kicks that slowly wore Machida down and became limiting with his movement. Although the match did end going to a decision for Machida, yet another controversial one, the majority of people believed Rua did enough to win—the main factor in his hatred from his constant leg kicks.

This was a fight that was considered by all to be hard-fought and too close for that matter, and hence immediately lined up for a rematch fight at UFC 113. Rua won the rematch fight in similar style; he achieved a knockout for purposes of this bout and took the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Rua won his fight by a knockout, and his strategy was to throw kicks to his opponent’s legs as an effective way to break his rhythm.

8. Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz – UFC on Fox 5 (2012)

It was when Benson Henderson faced Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 that the tale of a leg-kicking masterpiece for control and dominance over an opponent began. Henderson was the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion at the time, and he defended his title against Diaz, a tough contender known for his durability and hard-hitting reputation after carving his exciting niche in the division based on a mix of striking and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Right away, Henderson set the pace for the fight by lashing Diaz’ front leg with powerful kicks crashing on target. The leg kicks started to be potent off-contest as it started to hamper Diaz’s mobility, not being able to close the distance for his usual striking battles. Henderson still varied his assault but continued the leg work.

Diaz didn’t pull much offense together, visibly limping by way of the later rounds. Henderson ran out the victor by a unanimous decision to retain his title. This fight is a perfect example of how, in actuality, leg kicks can really neutralize a dangerous opponent and help in maintaining the desired tempo of the fight.

9. Thiago Santos vs. Jimi Manuwa (UFC

A top UFC knockout striker is Thiago Santos, also known as “Marreta.” The several leg kick engagements of Santos in UFC 231 against Jimi Manuwa clearly display his teeth. There was vesa mount war from the go between Santos and Manuwa, with these combatants throwing heavy shots at each other.

Santos was aware of the devastating punches coming from Manuwa, so he spent time slowing him down and taking out his base by using leg kicks. Every one of those kicks landed with a target, bad intentions, and a crushing effect on Manuwa’s ability to move and deal out heavy power punches. Santos never stopped targeting Manuwa’s legs, and they will play a huge part in setting up the finishing stretches of the second round that took out Manuwa.

Santos’ leg kicks were a key factor in his victory, showcasing how they can be used to weaken an opponent and open up opportunities for a knockout.

10. John Lineker vs. Michael McDonald (UFC Fight Night 91, 2016)

John Lineker, gritty slugger and known for his knockout power, went up against Michael McDonald at UFC Fight Night 91 in a top bantamweight fight that basically saw him mixing in leg kicks with his usual stand-up. The Brazilian, whose altered attack has been hands-based, brought devastating kicks into his offense for this fight. Right from the off, Lineker started pressurizing McDonald with powerful heavy hits, but it was the leg launches which rendered McDonald wearied in no time.

It took away much of McDonald’s movement and significantly limited the ability to sidestep the boxer’s mammoth punches. Come second round, the cumulative damage caused by leg strikes and Lineker’s constant pressure ended up with Lineker knocking out McDonald. The fight showed how even a hand-based striker could use those odd shots to the legs to make his work better and to close out an opponent.

Conclusion
Leg kicks are one of those techniques in MMA that is underappreciated but very ruthless. The highlighted fighters in this article have gone on to win fights with leg kicks, quite methodically shattering their opponents. From the precision of José Aldo to the bludgeoning power of Edson Barboza and the relentless pressure of Justin Gaethje, these leg kicks have been exactly what has left a real stamp on the sport and on the careers of those to whom they were inducted. Leg art is enjoying a new upswing in the UFC as more and more fighters become attuned to its striking effectiveness when it comes to wearing down, slowing down, and, ultimately, defeating an opponent. The leg kick remains one of the basic tools of the best strikers in the world as the sport grows and new techniques continue to evolve.