Sherdog’s Top 10: Scariest Finishers

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1. Rousimar Palhares

Leg lock specialist Palhares takes the top spot on this list, and with good reason. His combination of skill, killer instinct and slightly insane approach to hunting for the finish means that his opponents often walk away from the fight -- or get carried out -- with a serious lower-limb injury and a healthy appreciation for the Brazilian’s strength and technique.

Despite the fact that his opponents always know exactly what is coming, Palhares has repeatedly been able to secure heel hooks and kneebars against high-level grapplers throughout his career, and his many creative setups and paths to the finish have earned him the respect of one of the sport’s best coaches: Firas Zahabi.

Aside from his brutal strength and slick technical skill, Palhares’ sheer aggressiveness and seeming lack of concern for his opponent’s well-being are what make him truly scary as a finisher. Referees consistently have to physically pull him off his opponent, and he has been suspended by a state athletic commission and later released by the UFC for his refusal to let go when his opponent tapped. A knockout is plenty frightening, especially when thinking about brain trauma down the road, but few things are more terrifying than the prospect of someone ruining your knee for life.

Yes, Palhares is a scary, scary guy.

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