15) UFC 132: Urijah Faber vs Dominick Cruz II
Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz wanted to prove that a Bantamweight fight could headline a UFC pay-per view, and put on an exciting 25 minute clinic. Both guys went at it at a frenetic pace, with some good back and forth exchanges, and Cruz trying to avoid Faber's takedowns. At the end of their five-round war, Cruz won via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47). Both guys did a great job representing the defunct WEC, and in turn made the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions must see TV.
14) UFC 100: Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir II
UFC 100, which is still the highest grossing UFC Pay Per View of all time, was headlined by the rematch between Interim Champion Frank Mir and Champion Brock Lesnar. In the hype leading up to the fight it was clear that these guys didn't like each-other. Brock Lenar put on a dominating performance that night, taking Mir down in the first round and hitting Mir with his lunchbox like fists. The second round saw much of the same, with Brock winning via TKO at 1:48 of the second round. Lesnar's post fight promo after the fight was almost as memorable as the fight. Brock told Mir that he "took the horseshoe out of your ass and beat you over the head with it", and knocked the UFC's sponsor by saying "I'm going to go home and drink a COORS LIGHT because Bud Light ain't paying me".
13) UFC 140: Frank Mir vs Antonio Nogueira II
Big Nog and Frank Mir still had a score to settle after their first fight at UFC 92. Minotauro claimed he was suffering from staph infection before the fight, and Frank Mir always disputed the claim as an excuse for why he lost. Nogueira had Mir stunned, but instead of going for the TKO he tried to get Mir to tap by putting him in a guillotine. Mir rolled out of it though, and locked on a sickening kimura that broke Nog's arm. It was the first time in his extensive MMA career that Nogueira lost via submission. The brutal submission will be ingrained in my mind for a long time.
Big Nog and Frank Mir still had a score to settle after their first fight at UFC 92. Minotauro claimed he was suffering from staph infection before the fight, and Frank Mir always disputed the claim as an excuse for why he lost. Nogueira had Mir stunned, but instead of going for the TKO he tried to get Mir to tap by putting him in a guillotine. Mir rolled out of it though, and locked on a sickening kimura that broke Nog's arm. It was the first time in his extensive MMA career that Nogueira lost via submission. The brutal submission will be ingrained in my mind for a long time.
12) UFC 128: Jon Jones vs Shogun Rua
Jon Jones tore through Light Heavyweight contenders until securing a championship shot against Shogun Rua. At the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ Jon earned his bones by putting on a dominating performance against Rua stopping him at 2:37 of the third round. This fight helped cement Jones' legacy, even at the young age of 23.
Jon Jones tore through Light Heavyweight contenders until securing a championship shot against Shogun Rua. At the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ Jon earned his bones by putting on a dominating performance against Rua stopping him at 2:37 of the third round. This fight helped cement Jones' legacy, even at the young age of 23.
11) UFC 100: Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping
Coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, Bisping got under Hendo's nerves to say the least. When they finally had a chance to meet in The Octagon at UFC 100 Henderson made sure it would be a night that Bisping would never forget. Bisping was circling to his right, and his face ran right into Hendo's right fist knocking him out at 3:20 of the second round. To add insult to injury Henderson nailed him a second time on the ground to ensure that "The Count" would shut up for awhile.
Coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, Bisping got under Hendo's nerves to say the least. When they finally had a chance to meet in The Octagon at UFC 100 Henderson made sure it would be a night that Bisping would never forget. Bisping was circling to his right, and his face ran right into Hendo's right fist knocking him out at 3:20 of the second round. To add insult to injury Henderson nailed him a second time on the ground to ensure that "The Count" would shut up for awhile.
10) UFC 126: Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort
Coming off of his fight against Chael Sonnen, journalists began to question the skills of Anderson Silva. The Spider put all of their doubts to rest with a highlight reel front kick that knocked out Vitor Belfort at 3:25 of the first round.
Coming off of his fight against Chael Sonnen, journalists began to question the skills of Anderson Silva. The Spider put all of their doubts to rest with a highlight reel front kick that knocked out Vitor Belfort at 3:25 of the first round.
9) UFC 124: GSP vs Josh Koscheck
Georges St Pierre proved why he is considered one of the most dangerous mixed martial artists on the planet against Josh Koscheck. Much like Michael Bisping, Koscheck tormented GSP while they were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. During their fight though, GSP methodically picked Koscheck apart with jabs, breaking Josh's orbital bone in the process.
Georges St Pierre proved why he is considered one of the most dangerous mixed martial artists on the planet against Josh Koscheck. Much like Michael Bisping, Koscheck tormented GSP while they were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. During their fight though, GSP methodically picked Koscheck apart with jabs, breaking Josh's orbital bone in the process.
8) UFC on Fox: Clay Guida vs Ben Henderson
The first fight most viewers saw on FOX was a 1:04 fight between Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Unfortunately, the fight that aired on Facebook between Clay Guida and Ben Henderson was one of the best fights of 2011. All three major aspects of mixed martial arts (wrestling, striking, submissions) were on display, and would have been a great introduction to UFC for new fans. Clay and Henderson fought tooth and nail for a great 15 minute fight for a shot at Frankie Edgar's Lightweight Championship.
The first fight most viewers saw on FOX was a 1:04 fight between Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Unfortunately, the fight that aired on Facebook between Clay Guida and Ben Henderson was one of the best fights of 2011. All three major aspects of mixed martial arts (wrestling, striking, submissions) were on display, and would have been a great introduction to UFC for new fans. Clay and Henderson fought tooth and nail for a great 15 minute fight for a shot at Frankie Edgar's Lightweight Championship.
7) UFC Live: Cheick Kongo vs Pat Barry
Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry put on the craziest one round heavyweight brawl I've ever seen. Barry got off to a hot start and had Cheick Kongo hurt, but got a little reckless. Kongo hit a huge uppercut that knocked Barry clean out at 2:39 of the first round.
6) UFC 137: BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz, the Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, was supposed to fight GSP at UFC 137, but after missing a press conference Dana White took away his title shot. In a crazy turn of luck, GSP got injured and Nick Diaz and BJ Penn headlined the pay-per view. Both guys brought the fight to each-other from the very beginning trading a variety of strikes. After 15 minutes of great back and forth action, Diaz won the fight by unanimous decision.
5) UFC 116: Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin
The deck was stacked against the reigning Champion Brock Lesnar in this fight. He was coming off his first battle with diverticulitis, and was facing a man who never lost in The Octagon (none of Carwin's fights even went out of the first round). Brock was almost another victim to Carwin's power, but did enough to survive the first round. Going into the second round Brock actually smiled (who smiles after getting punched in the face for 5 minutes?), which is something I will never forget. Lesnar seemed rejuvenated in the second round, taking Carwin down fairly easily and locked in an arm triangle getting Carwin to tap at 2:19 of the second round. Brock claimed he was now a "humble champion" but was "still the toughest SOB around".
3b) UFC 125: Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard II
Frankie Edgar went into UFC 125 trying to avenge the only loss in his career, and successfully retain his Lightweight crown. After a brutal first round that saw the Champ bloody and bruised, Edgar was lucky just to survive. The tide began to change though as Frankie started to take over the fight by using his superior wrestling. As the fight went on Frankie got into a rhythm as Maynard began to look gassed. Neither man was able to finish the other, and the fight went to the judge's scorecards. Because of the 10-8 first round the fight was ruled a draw, and set up an immediate rematch.
3a) UFC 136: Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard III
What nobody could have predicted, the rematch was even better than their previous fight. The first round was almost identical, as Maynard has Edgar hurt, but just couldn't finish him. After surviving the first round Edgar once again took over the fight in the second round! This time Edgar wouldn't leave "The Answer" up to the judge's scorecards as he finished Maynard with a barrage of punches at 3:54 of the fourth round. These two fights showed that Frankie Edgar's heart and resolve can't be matched inside The Octagon (he represents the Garden State well). With their trilogy tied up at 1-1-1 you have to think that a fourth fight with Maynard is in Frankie's future depending on what he does at UFC 150 (but that's for another blog after he beats Bendo on Saturday).
5) UFC 116: Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin
The deck was stacked against the reigning Champion Brock Lesnar in this fight. He was coming off his first battle with diverticulitis, and was facing a man who never lost in The Octagon (none of Carwin's fights even went out of the first round). Brock was almost another victim to Carwin's power, but did enough to survive the first round. Going into the second round Brock actually smiled (who smiles after getting punched in the face for 5 minutes?), which is something I will never forget. Lesnar seemed rejuvenated in the second round, taking Carwin down fairly easily and locked in an arm triangle getting Carwin to tap at 2:19 of the second round. Brock claimed he was now a "humble champion" but was "still the toughest SOB around".
3b) UFC 125: Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard II
Frankie Edgar went into UFC 125 trying to avenge the only loss in his career, and successfully retain his Lightweight crown. After a brutal first round that saw the Champ bloody and bruised, Edgar was lucky just to survive. The tide began to change though as Frankie started to take over the fight by using his superior wrestling. As the fight went on Frankie got into a rhythm as Maynard began to look gassed. Neither man was able to finish the other, and the fight went to the judge's scorecards. Because of the 10-8 first round the fight was ruled a draw, and set up an immediate rematch.
3a) UFC 136: Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard III
What nobody could have predicted, the rematch was even better than their previous fight. The first round was almost identical, as Maynard has Edgar hurt, but just couldn't finish him. After surviving the first round Edgar once again took over the fight in the second round! This time Edgar wouldn't leave "The Answer" up to the judge's scorecards as he finished Maynard with a barrage of punches at 3:54 of the fourth round. These two fights showed that Frankie Edgar's heart and resolve can't be matched inside The Octagon (he represents the Garden State well). With their trilogy tied up at 1-1-1 you have to think that a fourth fight with Maynard is in Frankie's future depending on what he does at UFC 150 (but that's for another blog after he beats Bendo on Saturday).
2) UFC 117: Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen I
The second best fight of the past 50 UFC's is also a Cinderella Story. This time Anderson Silva, arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world, needed a last second submission to retain his Middleweight Championship. After taking shots at Brazil, Anderson Silva, Ed Soares, and the Nogueira Brothers, Chael Sonnen had a target on his back. The challenger responded by taking Silva down and keeping him there for the first four rounds of the fight. At 3:10 of the fifth and final round though Sonnen made his first and only mistake of the fight, and it cost him. He let Silva gain wrist control, and The Spider struck with a last minute triangle choke and Chael had no choice but to tap.
1) UFC 139: Shogun Rua vs Dan Henderson
The second best fight of the past 50 UFC's is also a Cinderella Story. This time Anderson Silva, arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world, needed a last second submission to retain his Middleweight Championship. After taking shots at Brazil, Anderson Silva, Ed Soares, and the Nogueira Brothers, Chael Sonnen had a target on his back. The challenger responded by taking Silva down and keeping him there for the first four rounds of the fight. At 3:10 of the fifth and final round though Sonnen made his first and only mistake of the fight, and it cost him. He let Silva gain wrist control, and The Spider struck with a last minute triangle choke and Chael had no choice but to tap.
1) UFC 139: Shogun Rua vs Dan Henderson
The 25 minute all out war between Mauricio "Shugun " Rua and Dan Henderson might be the best fight in MMA history. Shogun and Hendo will go down as some of the best strikers the sport has ever seen, and they came ready to fight at UFC 139. The first three rounds saw both fighters trading vicious blows, but Dan Henderson got the better of Shogun. The last two rounds Shogun made a great comeback, coming close to stopping Henderson, but came up just short. The pace that these two warriors kept up for the 25 minute fight will never be matched.
The Future
The future of UFC is as bright as ever. The careers of future Hall of Famers BJ Penn, Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin, and Rampage Jackson are nearing the finish line. Will GSP and Anderson Silva fight each-other to prove who the top pound-for-pound guy really is before hanging up their gloves (unlike Pacquiao and Mayweather in boxing)? Can a contender come in to stop Jon Jones and Jose Aldo's runs as Light Heavyweight and Featherweight Champion? Will Junior Dos Santos take the next step to keep his reign as Heavyweight Champion alive? Will young prospects like Rory MacDonald, Alexander Gustafsson, and Chris Weidman be the next stars of the sport?
More importantly, will the judging and refereeing of the sport show signs of improvement? What will happen to Strikeforce and Bellator, and will another contender come up to challenge Zuffa? Will MMA become more mainstream with the help of Fox, or will it continue to be a fringe sport that only attracts a limited audience?
The answer to these and many more question will be answered. I've seen a lot of changes to the sport in the three years I've been a fan, and wonder where the sport will be in 3 years at UFC 200.
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