AXS TV's top 10 of 2015 (so far): Spinning stuff, walk-offs, Sage Northcutt

AXS TV has showcased a plethora of combat sports over the year, and company officials have compiled a list of the 10 best finishes – so far – from 2015.

The list won’t be officially complete until year’s end; AXS TV, a longtime home for MMA, hosts Legacy FC 49 on Dec. 4 and RFA 33 on Dec. 11 to close out 2015.

But already this year, we’ve seen some downright amazing finishes, including one that left broadcaster Michael Schiavello screaming “That was freakin’ awesome!” and “You crazy, crazy bastard!” and “Good freakin’ night, Irene!” (And that wasn’t even No. 1 on the list.)

Check out all the action above. Here’s how the list breaks down:

No. 10: Alexandre Pantoja def. Damacio Page, RFA vs. Legacy Superfight

Method: Submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 5:00
When: May 8
Also see: RFA vs. Legacy Superfight results: Alexandre Pantoja puts Damacio Page to sleep

Alexandre Pantoja and Damacio Page seemed to be on their way to Round 3 in their main event battle for the inaugural AXS TV superfight flyweight title. However, Pantoja locked in a triangle choke late in Round 2, squeezing the hold with all his might. As the horn sounded to signify the end of the frame, Pantoja released the hold – and Page slumped to the canvas unconscious. It was a sudden finish after an opening round that featured Page landing some heavy shots and hurting the Brazilian flyweight.

No. 9: Chuck O’Neil def. Manny Walo, CES MMS 27

Method: Knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:11
When: Jan. 30
Also see: ‘Former punk’ Chuck O’Neil hopes UFC matchmakers see this 11-second KO win

Not a lot can happen in 11 seconds, but Chuck O'Neil managed to knock out Manny Walo and send a message to the UFC in that time at CES MMA 27. A touch of gloves, a blocked leg kick, and a right hand was all it took for O’Neil to knock Walo’s legs stiff and land him on the countdown.

No. 8: Sage Northcutt def. Rocky Long, Legacy FC 44

Method: Submission (neck crank) – Round 2, 3:30
When: Aug. 28
Also see: Legacy FC 44 video highlights: Morono KOs Araujo, Northcutt’s submission gets UFC call

Some moments on this list may well represent the pinacle of the winning fighter’s career. For 19-year-old Sage Northcutt, it was the moment that catapulted him to the UFC’s famed octagon. After taking Rocky Long’s back in the second round at Legacy FC 44, Northcutt didn’t wait to get an arm under the chin. Instead, he went for an old-school neck crank to force the tap.

No. 7: Melvin Blumer vs. Jeff Curran, RFA 24

Method: Knockout (backfist) – Round 1, 4:58
When: Mar. 6
Also see: RFA 24 results: Benjamin Smith wins welterweight title in lopsided main event

Punches miss all the time. Rarely, a fighter has the wherewithal to turn that missed strike into a backfist. That’s exactly what Melvin Blumer did against MMA veteran Jeff Curran at RFA 24. Curran almost finished the fight with a guillotine choke early in Round 1 and stayed in control of the fight, a bout he hoped would move him closer to a UFC return. During one exchange, however, Blumer whipped his fist backward after a missed punch to drop Curran to the canvas and bring the bout to a halt.

No. 6: Sean Soriano vs. Josh Quayhagen, Legacy FC 48

Method: Knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:21
When: Nov. 13
Also see: Legacy FC 48 results: Leonardo Leite dominates Ryan Spann to defend title

Many people felt Sean Soriano was rushed into the UFC too quickly. Legacy FC 48 marked his first fight back on the regional scene after the 26-year-old suffered three consecutive defeats in the UFC’s octagon. He flashed some serious knockout power in the bout, landing a looping shot over the guard of Josh Quayhagen, who crashed to the mat. Soriano showed serious sportsmanship in stopping himself from dropping any followup bombs.

No. 5: Greg Rebello vs. Mike Mucitelli, CES MMA 31

Method: Knockout (punch), Round 1, 3:24
When: Oct. 30
Also see: CES MMA 31 video highlights with four first-round stoppages, including title fight

Greg Rebello showcased some fast hands for a heavyweight at CES MMA 31, where he perfectly countered a Mike Mucitelli punch and to throw his own heavy overhand left. As Mucitelli fell to the canvas, Rebello walked away with his arm raised, knowing that the one shot was enough.

No. 4: Julio Pena vs. Tim Amorim, Lion Fight 26

Method: Knockout (spinning back elbow) – Round 3, 2:59
When: Nov. 20
Also see: One of Friday’s best knockouts – a face-breaker – didn’t come from MMA

One of the most amazing things about high-level kickboxing is the speed with which a polished striker can change tactics based on positioning and turn it into a fight-ending moment. That was the case at Lion Fight 26 when Julio Pena went from slightly off balance after a missed kick to landing a crushing spinning back elbow that put Tim Amorim to sleep.

No. 3: Joel Scott vs. Justin Rader, Legacy FC 42

Method: Knockout (knee) – Round 1, 0:24
When: June 26
Also see: Legacy FC 42 results: Josh Quayhagen edges Anthony Njokuani in razor-thin fashion

Timing is so often everything in combat sports. Had Joel Scott thrown the knee that knocked out Justin Rader at Legacy FC 42 a microsecond earlier, he’d be on the list for most violent disqualifications of the year. After a scramble on the ground, Scott caught the back of Radar’s head and pulled it downward into a massive, fight-ending knee. Rader’s own knee had barely come off the ground as the blow landed, making the strike legal.

No. 2: Chris Mauceri vs. Nicolas Parlanti, Lion Fight 24

Method: Knockout (spinning back elbow) – Round 3, 1:06
When: Sept. 25

Remember that spinning back elbow from a few entries ago? Chris Mauceri one-upped that with his own violent version of some spinning stuff. After Nicolas Parlanti missed his own spinning back elbow at Lion Fight 24, Mauceri took the chance to throw his own, which landed perfectly and crumpled Parlanti to the canvas.

No. 1: Alex Morono vs. Valdir Araujo, Legacy FC 44

Method: Knockout (punch) – Round 3, 2:18
When: Aug. 28
Also see: Legacy FC 44 video highlights: Morono KOs Araujo, Northcutt’s submission gets UFC call

Taking the top position on the list is Alex Morono’s knockout of Valdir Araujo in the main event of Legacy FC 44. In Round 3 of the bout, the men were swinging wildly, but it was Morono getting in the best shots. A big right hand from Morono spun around his opponent and left him prone on the canvas, where a follow-up hammerfist served as an exclamation mark on the finish.

Check out the video above to see all the thrilling finishes.

And for more on AXS TV’s upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.