Knock downs by a strike to the side of the head

[EricaLovesUFC]

I may be wrong but it doesn't seem like we see these very often

Other than Machida getting dropped by Shogun and Silva getting dropped by Weidman, I can't recall any other fights where these have happened.

Any explanation on why these are so rare?

 

[SirKratos]

Are you serious? There are tons of examples

Off the top of my head, McCrory got KO'd stiff against Jotko with a single strike to the temple, like a month ago

DC vs. Rumble, TJ vs. Barao

 

[WhitebeltXL]

JDS Cain 1?

 

[Robocok]

Hunt vs Mir
McGregor vs Poirier

 

[JDragon]

There are many examples as already listed.

Shogun Machida may not even be a good example. Shogun connected behind the ear iirc

 

[BabyBlue_Bomber]

Lesnar/Couture was something similar I believe.
Liddell/Ortiz 2
Chandler/Brooks
Alexander/Jardine I think (before the uppercut)
Jardine/Vera but it looked more like a balance thing

As for the question of why it doesn't happen more often, I don't think it's an area fighters often aim their punches.

 

[Blayt7hh]

Are we talking about if it hits behind the ear or like straight to the side of the head?

There are a ton of behind the ear examples

 

[NoContest]

RDA vs Alvarez ffs

 

[Overhand Luke]

Hunt >Mir