#1 Mark Hunt
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Mark ‘Super Samoan’ Hunt (12-10-1-1 MMA; 30-13 Kickboxing) is an MMA and kickboxing veteran known as the ‘King of the Walk-off KO’, in reference to his habit of knocking his opponents out and walking away before the referee steps in to stop the fight.
Hunt is the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion (K-1 was the top kickboxing organisation at the time, not GLORY kickboxing). Hunt entered MMA as a pure kickboxer, however, he has developed good grappling skills in his UFC run.
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Hunt is well-known for his granite chin and iron will. He is ridiculously tough to finish and boasts excellent hand-speed and head-movement in the pocket. He is also known for his mental toughness and his uncanny ability to intimidate his opponents despite having a friendly and casual demeanour.
Hunt’s walk-off KOs against 6’11” Dutch kickboxer Stefan Struve, former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir and the indestructible Roy Nelson are highlight-reel illustrations of his brutal and accurate punching.
Hunt’s back-and-forth battles in the sports of MMA and kickboxing are evidence of his toughness and tenacity, with most of them ending with his opponents being helped up staring at the lights.
Reigning UFC HW champion Stipe Miocic set a UFC record against Hunt, for the most strikes landed in a fight, out-landing Hunt 361-48 over the duration of their bout.
Most of the strikes Miocic landed were on the ground, and it’s safe to say that no human on the planet except Hunt could have eaten that many strikes from an athletic young HW star like Miocic, and lived to tell the tale.
Hunt also holds dominant wins over kickboxing greats such as Jerome Le Banner, Mirko Filipovic, Stefan Leko and many others.
It’s essential to note that despite being undersized against most of his opponents, Hunt’s striking skills and mental fortitude have helped him not only survive but decimate several notable foes such as Wanderlei Silva, Cheick Kongo, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson and many others.
Hunt, much like the aforementioned Cain Velasquez, is one of the calmest and most composed MMA fighters that don’t need any trash-talk to instil fear into their foes’ minds. Mark Hunt’s ice-cold attitude and hands of stone make ‘The King of the Walk-off KO’, the King of our list.
Be it Lawler’s evil smile or Romero’s Cuban funky-boxing style; Velasquez and Hunt’s eerie calm or ‘Rumble’ Johnson’s lightning strikes; certain MMA fighters have that extra zing to their game.
The ability to instil fear in your opponent whilst holding your own nerve is one of the most desirable qualities if you are an MMA fighter. The fighters featured on our list are known for scaring the living daylights out of their opponents, as much as they are for their martial arts skills.
Keeping up with our combat tradition, I’d like you, the reader, to chime in with examples of fighters you feel are just as intimidating as my top-5. Till then, keep training and don’t be scared homie!
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