MMA Fight of the Year 2013 [poll]

Antonio Bigfoot Silva draws with Mark Hunt, UFC Fight Night 33

When Sean Shelby and Joe Silva lined up Mark Hunt and Bigfoot Silva to headline their December card in Brisbane they knew what they'd be getting from Hunt--the iron-chinned brawler rarely deviates from his hurling style--but not from Silva. Bigfoot had just been thrashed by Cain Velasquez for the second time and beaten up by Alistair Overeem early in their fight at the beginning of the year. Silva was never reluctant to engage in what was arguably the most entertaining heavyweight fight of the modern era. Hunt and Silva left everything in the cage over five brutal rounds. After the fight Silva was popped for having elevated testosterone putting a damper on his achievement.


Eddie Alvarez def. Michael Chandler, Bellator 106

Almost exactly two years after their first encounter Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler met for a second time at Bellator 106. The scheduled main event for the card was Quinton Jackson vs. Tito Ortiz and it was to be on PPV but when that fight fell through the lightweights were promoted and the show was switched to Spike. The show dragged late into the night as the two preceding title fights went to 25-minute decisions. The reward for viewers who stuck with it was a special back-and-forth battle with near finishes for both fighters. Alvarez saw the fight through and re-established himself as a lightweight star in the sport but his contentious relationship with Bellator is problematic for the promotion going forward.


Gilbert Melendez def. Diego Sanchez, UFC 166

There's something to be said about a fighter who is better than his opponent at virtually every discipline but decides to throw caution to the wind and engage in a slug-fest for the entertainment of the masses. Were you not entertained? Gilbert Melendez's risky play at UFC 166 made for one of the most entertaining fights of the decade as he stood toe-to-toe with beserker Diego Sanchez and recklessly exchanged for three rounds in front of a riotous crowd in Houston. Sanchez turned this loss into a personal victory signing a new long-term deal with the UFC afterwards, presumably on the condition that he fights like that forever or until he is carried out on his shield. Melendez meanwhile is mired in a holding pattern with other contending lightweights as incumbent Anthony Pettis goes under the knife again.


Jon Jones def. Alex Gustafsson, UFC 165

The lead up to the Jon Jones-Alex Gustafsson title fight included marketing that focused on the fact that Gustafsson was as big or even bigger than Jones, playing on the perceived notion that Jones' dominance in the light heavyweight division had been the result of his elastic reach advantage all these years. As the fight went on it was obvious that while range was a factor Gustafsson's fearlessness and willingness to take chances was even more influential. Going into the championship rounds shocked onlookers were forced to admit that Gustafsson was ahead or at least even with the seemingly irresistible champion. Jones' fourth round elbow to Gustafsson put him on rickety legs for the rest of the fight and cost the Swede his upset but in the eyes of fans around the world Gustafsson had become an overnight sensation and talk of a rematch began immediately after the final bell. How badly do fans want to see this rematch? Gustafsson was voted onto the cover of EA's inaugural UFC video game alongside Jones ahead of long-standing fan favourite Georges St-Pierre.

 

Re: MMA Fight of the Year [poll]

I'm split between JJ/Gusto and Hunt/Silva. The Jones fight was more important and more shocking but the Hunt fight was more fun. Voted for both.

 

Re: MMA Fight of the Year [poll]

Had to go with the Hunt fight. It was just pure entertainment and fun.