5 Wild Strikes That Shocked the MMA World

Let’s be real — when most people think of MMA, they picture crisp jabs, big right hands, brutal leg kicks, or maybe a well-timed takedown. But every now and then, a fighter pulls something out of left field and leaves fans, opponents, and even commentators with jaws on the floor.

MMA is a playground where creativity meets violence, and while the fundamentals always matter, it’s often those wild, unconventional strikes that go viral and get replayed for years.

Today, we’re diving into 5 unorthodox strikes that shocked the MMA world. These weren’t your textbook punches or kicks — these were moments where fighters gambled on something unique… and it paid off big.

1. The Showtime Kick – Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson (2010)

Let’s start with a strike that is basically MMA folklore at this point: Anthony Pettis’ “Showtime Kick”.

Back in 2010, during the WEC’s final event (WEC 53), Pettis was locked in a close title fight with Benson Henderson. In the fifth round, Pettis did something no one expected — he literally ran up the cage like a ninja and fired a flying roundhouse kick off the fence that clocked Henderson right in the face, sending him tumbling backward.

It was part Matrix, part parkour, and all highlight-reel gold.

What made it unorthodox? Well, nobody had really pulled off a successful cage-assisted strike like that in a high-stakes fight. Pettis’ kick showed how creative and dynamic MMA could be, and it helped usher him into the UFC spotlight.

Since then, we’ve seen cage-assisted moves sprinkled throughout MMA, but the “Showtime Kick” is still the GOAT of wall-walking techniques.

2. The Spinning Back Elbow – Yair Rodríguez vs. Chan Sung Jung (2018)

Yair Rodríguez is a guy known for flashy kicks and creativity, but what he did against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung at UFC Denver in 2018 was on another level.

With ONE second left in the fight — and likely losing on the scorecards — Yair ducked under a punch and threw a no-look upward elbow from behind his head. Yep, it was a modified spinning back elbow, almost like he invented it mid-fight.

Zombie walked right into it, collapsed, and the entire arena went silent before erupting.

The technique itself? Pure improvisation. No one drills that specific angle on a spinning elbow. It’s part of what makes MMA so thrilling: when instinct meets split-second genius.

Since then, fighters like Cory Sandhagen and Jon Jones have used spinning elbows, but Yair’s bizarre, off-balance version is still one of the wildest finishes we’ve ever seen.

3. The Front Kick KO – Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (2011)

We know what you’re thinking — “A front kick? That’s basic Muay Thai 101.” True, but Anderson Silva turned it into a cultural moment when he KO’d Vitor Belfort at UFC 126.

The front kick to the face wasn’t exactly a staple knockout strike in MMA back then. It was more of a “keep ‘em at range” move, not a “put ‘em to sleep” weapon.

But when Silva flicked that lightning-fast kick straight up the middle and caught Belfort flush on the jaw, Belfort stiffened and crashed to the mat in dramatic fashion.

It was like a scene from a martial arts movie — and it made every fighter in the world go back to the gym and rethink their front kick drills. Fast forward to today, and you’ve got guys like Lyoto Machida, Israel Adesanya, and even heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich trying similar techniques.

Silva took something simple and made it a legend.

4. The Rolling Thunder – Michael Page vs. Richard Kiely (2019)

Michael “Venom” Page is one of the flashiest strikers in MMA, with a style that looks like a cross between point karate and street fighting from a video game. One of his most unorthodox moves came in Bellator Dublin against Richard Kiely.

Page threw a Rolling Thunder kick — imagine a front flip into a heel kick aimed at your opponent’s head — and while it didn’t land cleanly, the sheer audacity of it caught everyone’s attention. Moments later, Page landed a jumping right hand that dropped Kiely and ended the fight.

Rolling Thunder kicks are rare even in kickboxing, let alone MMA. They’re high-risk, high-reward, and usually only thrown when you’re feeling bold.

While it wasn’t a KO from the kick itself, the shock factor set up the finish. Page is the type of fighter who reminds us that unorthodox doesn’t always mean reckless — sometimes, it’s about sending a message and disrupting your opponent’s rhythm.

5. The Spinning Heel Kick – Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim (2012)

Let’s close this list with arguably one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history.

Edson Barboza is known for his savage leg kicks, but against Terry Etim at UFC 142, he pulled out a spinning heel kick that had the entire MMA world talking.

In round three, Barboza spun, launched his heel at Etim’s chin, and landed it perfectly. Etim fell to the canvas like a statue — unconscious before he hit the mat.

At the time, spinning heel kicks were still considered flashy and risky. Now, thanks to moments like this, they’re part of the modern striking arsenal in MMA. Barboza’s execution was textbook: speed, precision, and perfect timing.

Even over a decade later, that knockout is still on UFC highlight reels and is considered one of the greatest finishes ever.

Why These Strikes Matter in Modern MMA

MMA is constantly evolving. What used to be “unorthodox” sometimes becomes standard fare as fighters get more creative and daring.

Today, in 2025, you’ve got fighters blending Taekwondo kicks with Muay Thai elbows, mixing capoeira-style movements, and even experimenting with techniques from lesser-known martial arts. Creativity is rewarded because unpredictability wins fights.

We’re also seeing newer fighters who grew up watching legends like Anderson Silva, Anthony Pettis, and Yair Rodríguez trying to push the limits even further.

Final Thoughts: The Magic of the Unexpected

The beauty of MMA lies in its unpredictability. Sure, fundamentals will always be key, but it’s the out-of-nowhere moments — those flashes of creativity — that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Whether it’s a cage-walking kick, an odd-angle elbow, or a flip into a heel kick, MMA reminds us that fighting isn’t just about brute force — it’s an art form.

So, next time you’re watching a fight, don’t just look for the jab or leg kick. Keep an eye out for the crazy stuff — because it’s often the unorthodox strike that changes everything.