UFC: The Moments that have SHAKEN MMA
By Kevin Nelson
Many things have occurred within the last six months in Mix Martial Arts and we thought we would look at the 10 biggest stories of the half year. Many things change but some things stay the same as the UFC continues to display it’s dominance over the rest of the MMA landscape. With that here is our list…
10. Controversial scoring
All throughout MMA, there have been many controversial winners. I can think of Nick Ring vs. Ricki Fukuda, a fight in which I had Fukuda comfortably winning. Also the Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan fight and let’s not forget the Bellator season 4 welterweight tournament and Joe Warren getting a gift decision in his last fight.
9. Nick Diaz to face Jeff Lacy
After defeating Paul Daley by KO, Diaz stated that he was bored with MMA and wants to have a pro boxing fight. It was announced shortly afterwards that Diaz in fact has it in his contract that he can have one pro boxing fight. His opponent would be former Super Middleweight Champion, Jeff Lacy and the UFC did everything in their power to avoid that and matched him with GSP which is set for the fall.
8. Chael Sonnen returns
MMA best trash talker returned after a year suspension and it was announced he is to face Brian Stann. Sonnen could not keep his mouth shut and trash talked Brazil the Nogueira’s and of course Wanderlei Silva. Love him or hate him he is must see TV.
7. Randy Couture retires
After having a legendary career Couture called it quits after being stopped by Machida. We feel this is it for sure for Couture and remember him fondly as one of the greatest mix martial artist’s of all time.
6. Lyoto Machida crane kick
After witnessing Anderson Silva KO Vitor Belfort with a front kick, Machida thought he might one up him and hit Couture with a crane kick straight out of THE KARATE KID, knocking out a couple of his teeth and retiring Couture.
5. Anderson Silva front kick
One of the most highly criticized fighters in this sport rightfully so due to his immense talent. Silva was coming off his win over Sonnen in which he lost every round before coming back and getting the submission win. He had a lot to proof against Belfort and did it in spectacular fashion as he knocked him out with a front kick.
4. Brock Lesnar out with Diverticulitis
Mix martial arts top PPV draw is having severe health problems again as he was diagnosed a second time with diverticulitits and has opted to have surgery, thus depriving us of seeing Lesnar fight for the near future.
3. Fedor Emelianenko to face Dan Henderson
After losing to Antonio Silva questions arose about Fedor possibly moving down to light heavyweight but shortly afterwards a match was announced that Dan Henderson would face Fedor at heavyweight in a bout that never materialized in Pride is now happening in July.
2. George St. Pierre faces Nick Diaz
After UFC purchased Strikeforce, Diaz was talking about boxing and said the only fight that would talk him out of boxing was GSP. Wish granted…we get to see the best welterweight in the world as it pits champion vs. champion.
1. UFC purchases Strikeforce
The biggest news of the year still is the UFC purchasing Strikeforce as the UFC establishes itself as simply alone with no competition.
