Spinning attacks is one of the most entertaining offensive attacks an MMA fighter can do. As Nick Diaz calls it “We’re throwing spinning S#!$ now?” as he fought against Carlos Condit. The best to ever to spinning attacks would have to be Edson Barboza when he did a spinning wheel kick against Terry Etim. It won the Knockout of the Night.
Although it is entertaining, it is difficult to do since uses big energy and gives up your back against your opponent. Vitor Belfort successfully did it against Luke Rockhold because he timed it and it was unexpected. Chris Weidman who also fought Rockhold was unsuccessful and was taken down and it cost him the fight.
Another fighter that threw a spinning attack that caused the fight was Chael Sonnen against Anderson Silva. Sonnen was so close to beating Silva that all he had to do was not get finished. Unfortunately, Silva secured a triangle choke against Sonnen. In the rematch, Sonnen attempted a spinning elbow but missed and fell down. Silva then finished him.
Number 5 on the list would have to Brian “T-City” Ortega landing against the Korean Zombie. Ortega who is known more as a BJJ Prodigy changed his fighting style and improved his stand-up game tremendously. He was already winning the fight prior to landing the spinning elbow. The footwork and timing is a thing of beauty.
The number 4 spinning attack on the list might have to be Brandon “Raw Dog” Royval against Kai Kara France. Royval was getting rocked and all of a sudden threw a spinning elbow counter that also rocked Kara France. It was an overall intense exchange in the first minute of the fight.
The Third on the list would have to be Cory Sandhagen against Marlon Moraes when stopped him in under 2 rounds. Sandhagen was setting up for it by feinting and setting traps. The spinning wheel kick stunned Moraes that resulted in a TKO victory.
The Second on the list might have to be Beneil Dariush against Scott Holtzman. It was in the last minute of the first round when Dariush hit a spinning back fist that knocked Holtzman out cold. Dariush also stated that the move was inspired by the UFC EA Sports game.
The Top on the list is a no brainer. It goes to Joaquin Buckley against Impa Kasanganay. Buckley was coming in as an underdog in the fight. Kasanganay caught the kick of Buckley which prompted Buckley to throw a spinning kick that knocked Impa brutally. The landing of Impa was scary and the kick was so movie-like brutal.