10 best signature moves in MMA history

These are a few of the best signature moves performed by professional mixed martial artists


10 best signature moves in MMA history

Best moves in the MMA (Image Sources - MMAMania/Sky Sports)

Mixed Martial Arts is a barbaric sport that involves fighting with various techniques. Unlike a sport like Cricket or Football, violence is glorified in the game. Fighters from straw weight weighing 50kgs to super heavyweight weighing 120kgs come together. In MMA, there is always a risk of injury and it is a dangerous sport. Various martial arts disciplines like boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai are practiced in MMA.

These certain disciplines consist of various signature moves that provide the best outcome. In sports like boxing, moves like the overhand and body shot are considered to be brutal if practiced correctly. The moves are popular because the fighters execute them in the octagon. Each fighter has their unique style and discipline. These are some of the most efficient moves in MMA history.

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Related: 5 NFL athletes who have fought in MMA

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Mirko Cro Cop – Left High Kick

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Mirko Cro Cop (Image Sources – Bleacher Report)

Croatian heavyweight fighter Mirko Cro Cop is considered a legend by MMA fans. The kickboxer competed in several fighting organizations like the UFC, Bellator, and K-1. Because of his brutal striking and kickboxing, the Croatian was a feared opponent across several organizations. His left high kicks are one of the best moves in MMA. These kicks are thrown with speed and precision to the opponent’s head. The Croatian knocked out Japanese fighter Satoshi Ishii with a devastating kick to the head.

Daniel Cormier – Overhead Slams

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Daniel Cormier (Image Sources – UFC)

Heavyweight fighter Daniel Cormier is a tough contender in the UFC. ‘DC’ has made a name for himself in MMA by racking up fight wins over Roy Nelson and Anderson Silva. The fighter-turned-commentators outspoken personality has allowed him to be a superstar in the UFC. ‘DC’s Overhead slams are a signature move in the MMA world. This move requires strength and good grappling skills. It involves picking up an opponent and slamming them down with force. Executing this move can cause severe damage to the opponent.

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Urijah Faber – Guillotine Choke

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Urijah Faber (Image Sources – Faber)

Coming from California, Urijah Faber is a popular MMA fighter. He is known for his brilliant wrestling and grappling skills. His record consists of 35 wins and 11 losses. He was also a part of the popular series, ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ Urijah Faber made a name for himself through his personality and grappling skills from the show. The Guillotine Choke is a wrestling move that requires an opponent to wrap their arm around another opponent’s neck, proceeding to choke them. This makes a fighter tap or becomes unconscious.

Georges St-Pierre’s Superman Punch

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Goerges St-Pierre (Image Source – The Modern Martial Artist)

‘GSP’ is a welterweight competitor in the UFC. He is known to dominate his opponents in his fights. Georges St-Pierre is an all-rounder in MMA. He has perfectly mastered the sport of boxing, kickboxing as well as Muay Thai and wrestling. Since his retirement, he has been starring in movies including ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier. His signature move is called the Superman Punch. This move consists of faking a kick and jumping toward the opponent and throwing a punch. The Superman Punch is a technique that pertains to nobody but Goerges St-Pierre.

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Nate Diaz – Stockton Slap

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Nate Diaz (Image Source – Overtime Heroics)

American fighter Nate Diaz is known for his boxing skills and ‘gangster attitude’ in the octagon. His unorthodox fighting style and toughness have gained him a fan following throughout the years. Diaz’s outspokenness has brought a lot of attention to the fighter. The ‘Stockton Slap’ is a signature move of Nate Diaz. It requires no technique whatsoever. It is just an open-hand slap to the opponent’s face. When Diaz backs up his opponent or takes them to the ground, he slaps them. This was later coined ‘The Stockton Slap.’

Jose Aldo – Leg Kicks

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Jose Aldo (Image Source – MMAFighting)

Featherweight fighter Jose Aldo is one of the scariest fighters in the division. The Brazilian fighter’s power and speed are a force to be reckoned with. His overall skills in MMA gain the respect of fellow lightweight contenders. The fighter amasses a record of 31 wins and 8 losses. Aldo’s signature leg kicks are considered one of the best moves in MMA. The power behind the leg kicks slowly breaks down the opponent and causes serious harm. In his fight against Urijah Faber, his leg kicks made a visible difference to Faber’s demeanor.

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Chael Sonnen – Double Leg Takedown

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Chael Sonnen (Image Source – Twitter)

Retired MMA fighter Chael Sonnen is a veteran of the sport. His outspoken personality and trash-talking caused brought him fame. Sonnen’s grappling and wrestling skills are outstanding. He is one of the most entertaining fighters to come of combat sports. The double-leg takedown is used by a lot of wrestlers. But, Chael Sonnen perfected it. It involves shooting for the legs of the opponent, picking them up, and slamming them toward the canvas.

Ronda Rousey – Armbar

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Ronda Rousey (Image Source – Bleacher Report)

‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC. She is often complimented for popularizing women’s mixed martial arts. Beyond fighting, Rousey has grown into a notable name in other mediums like acting and WWE. She is primarily known for her wrestling and grappling skills. The Armbar is a submission move that involves targeting the elbow joint, joint locking the opponent. Rousey has used this brutal move on several opponents and emerged victorious because of it.

Jon Jones – Spinning Elbow

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Jon Jones (Image Source – Bleacher Report)

UFC heavyweight fighter Jon Jones is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time. With a record of 27 wins and 1 loss, ‘Bones’ has yet to lose a fight since the Matt Hamil fight. Jones being a controversial figure does not stop him from winning against his heavyweight contenders. As the name suggests, the spinning elbow requires high-level speed and accuracy. Jon Jones’ traditional move has always worked in the favor of the fighter. It has worked against fighters like Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson.

Conor McGregor – Left Hand

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Conor McGregor (Image Source – MMAFighting)

The ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor is arguably the biggest star in the UFC. He is a part of ‘Forbes‘ top-paid athletes. The billion-dollar fighter is known for his striking skills and octagonal boxing. Every bout he fights brings excitement and numbers as no other fighter can. McGregor’s best move is in his mighty left hand. He has used it to knock out several opponents in the octagon. His timing and precision in delivering it are considered noteworthy for fighters in the division.

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