MMAwards thread.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Alright guys, 2004 is done and it's time to look back on a great year of MMA. A lil blurb following each response would be cool.

 

Here are the Categories:

 

Good Awards:

 

Fighter of the Year

 

Fight of the Year

 

Show of the Year

 

Breakout Fighter of the Year

 

Upset of the Year

 

KO of the Year

 

Sub of the Year

 

Bad Awards:

 

Worst fighter of the year

 

Worst fight of the year

 

Worst show of the year

 

Biggest fall

 

Biggest Disappointment (fight)

 

Biggest Disappointment (card)

 

Worst decision

 

"What the fuck?!"

 

2005

 

Most anticipated (potential) fight

 

"Watch out for"

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Fighter of the Year

 

BJ Penn.

 

I was debating this. I think Fedor beat more "names" this year - he took Coleman and Randleman very, very quickly and showed a facet of his game which made him a complete fighter. He beat Ogawa, which isn't much fight-wise, BUT Ogawa is a huge name in Japan and was undefeated to that point. He tapped a judo silver medalist with a quick and easy armbar. He also bested Noguiera, one of the best fighters in the world. If there was any doubt who was the #1 fighter in the beginning of 04, Fedor silenced those doubts. He IS the best fighter in the world.

 

But.

 

BJ Penn beat Matt Hughes. Like. Really Easily. Moved up in weight, outpowered Hughes and tapped him in the first round. He also tapped Dwayne Ludwig and beat highly touted Rodrigo Gracie. In the end I think schooling Hughes was more impressive than anything Fedor did this year, so Penn is the Fighter of the Year. (Runner Up: Fedor Emelianenko)

 

Fight of the Year

 

Karo Parisyan vs. Nick Diaz (UFC 49: Unfinished Business)

 

I only saw 1 round of it, but that one round was fucking amazing and enough to warrant this. (Runner Up: Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White, Honourable Mentions: Nogiuera vs. Kharitonov, Hughes vs. St. Pierre, Silva vs. Jackson)

 

Show of the Year

 

UFC 49: Unfinished Business

 

I never even considered this show until I looked back on it. Two MOTYC's, star-making performances by Eilers and Terrell, and the KO of the year from Yves Edwards. The only bad part was Belfort/Couture, and that wasn't even bad. (Runner up: PRIDE Total Elimination 2004. Honourable Mentions: PRIDE Critical Countdown 04, UFC War of 04

 

Breakout Fighter of the Year

 

Sergei Kharitonov.

 

I'd give it to David Terrell, but being the top of a dead division doesn't so-much stand out as what Kharitonov did. Sergei went from nothing to a player in the PRIDE heavyweight division in 2004 and had a great showing against Noguiera after destroying Ninja and Schilt. (Runner Up: George St. Pierre. Honourable Mention: David Terrell, Frank Mir, Takanori Gomi (he's been around for a while, but he started in PRIDE in 04 and went undefeated in his 5 PRIDE fights none of which has gone to decision PLUS he knocked Ralph Gracie the fuck out and put down Pulver)

 

Upset of the Year

 

Kevin Randleman over Mirko Cro Cop (PRIDE Total Elimination 2004). Randleman had just come off 2 straight losses in PRIDE and Cro Cop was expected to make it to the final 4. Not only did Randleman win, but he knocked Cro Cop out. (Runner Up: BJ Pernn over Matt Hughes)

 

KO of the Year

 

Yves Edwards kills Josh Thompson with a ganmengiri. (Runner up: Randleman KO's Cro Cop)

 

Sub of the Year

 

Nogiuera subs Yokoi and Herring with the Anaconda Choke (Runner up: Matt Hughes armbars GSP)

 

*Finish tomorrow*

[Lei Tong 0]

Good Awards:

 

Fighter of the Year

BJ Penn

- Moves up in weight and easily defeats the undisputed #1 WW in the world, followed it up with a quick submission over limited yet dangerous Duane Ludwig, and finishes the year off with a completely dominating performance over previously undefeated Rodrigo Gracie at MW.

 

Runner Up: Fedor Emelianenko

 

 

Fight of the Year

Nick Diaz vs. Karo Parysian

- In spite of both guys gassing reltively early, the grappling exchanges in the opening round were reminscent of early era- Pancrase, only real.

 

Runner Up: Jens Pulver vs. Stephen Palling

 

 

Show of the Year

Shooto 2004 Year End Show

-I'll admit some bias hear, but you both Kawajiri & Kikuchi upsetting champions, Franca & Sato continuing their impressive ways, a good slugfest & quick yet fun female fight, with the only let down be undefeated featherweight Gilbert Milendez grinding out a very boring decision against the previously smoking Hiroyuki Takaya.

 

Runner Up: UFC 49

 

 

Breakout Fighter of the Year

Akira Kikuchi

- Though a big prospect before the year started, many questioned how he would fair after being dealt with his first career loss to Jake Shields. The answer: A quick, aggressive decimation of tough Sam Morgan, a close win over current DEEP champion Jutaro Nakao, a routine defeat of ho-hum Lithuanian Ramunas Komas, and finally, a redemption victory over Jake Shields, capturing the Shooto MW title in the process.

 

Runner Up: Gilbert Melendez

 

 

Upset of the Year

BJ Penn defeats Matt Hughes

- As previously said, Matt Hughes was arguably the most dominant champion in the sport at the time, and BJ Penn was a former LW fighter putting seemingly as much flab as muscle. In the end, Penn submitted the champion within one round, and though tough fights soon after vs. Charuto & St. Pierre showed that Hughes was far from the unstoppable juggernaut he seemd to be before the Penn fight, it proved nonetheless that Penn had defeated the best WW on the planet with ease.

 

Runner Up: Kevin Randleman KO's Mirko Filipovic

 

 

KO of the Year

Yves Edward leaping high kick vs. Josh Thompson

- While there have a couple leaping high kick KO's in both MMA and kickboxing, none I'ver ever seen landed this hard and countered an opponent's technique so well.

 

Runner Up:Hiroyuki Takaya's left high kick KO vs. Stephen Palling

 

 

Sub of the Year

Ryo Chonan's Flying Heel Hook vs. Anderon Silva

- Though Silva's submission defense is nowhere near top-notch, Chonan's relatively average ground game gave no indication of this beauty.

 

Runner Up: Gerald Strebendt's Twister on Dave Elliot

 

Bad Awards:

 

 

Worst fighter of the year

Dan Wheatley

- Winless throughout his young career, he's quickly becoming the Travis Fulton of horrible fighters (whom he coincidentally lost to 3 times this year).

 

Runner Up: Kengo Watanabe

 

Worst fight of the year

Gilbert Melendez vs. Hiroyuki Takaya

- Though many knew it could happen, Melendez still suprised and left many feeling empty by making this bout between undefeated featherweight prospects a relative snoozefest.

 

Runner-Up: John Marsh vs. Wesley Correira

 

Biggest Disappointment (fight)

Mirko Filipovic vs. Josh Barnett

- "What sub did Mirko tap Josh out with?"

" The guard."(B&G)

 

Runner Up: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera II

 

 

Worst decision

Matt Hughes vs. Renato Verrisimo

- Though there may have been bigger robberies, the socring for the bout was simply atrocious. Apparently, complete and utter dominance means nothing if you do most of it from the bottom. One judges giving the first round to Hughes is atrocious.

 

Runner Up: Ryo Chonan vs. Diajiro Matsui

 

 

"What the fuck?!"

Mirko Filipovic subs Josh Barnett & Kevin Randleman back to back.

- Mirko Filipovic... submission master?

 

Runner Up: Kevin Randleman Superman's over Ron Waterman's back.

 

 

 

WIll do more later, maybe with some of my own.

[Styles 0]

This looks like fun, is Pride: Shockwave considered an 04 event, even if it aired in 05?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

It's considered an 04 event, just as last years (03) Shockwave is not in consideration. That's why we have the awards now rather than last week.

[Lei Tong 0]

PS- My picks are the correct ones.

[Styles 0]

OK, I will preface this by saying I only watched UFC and Pride shows in the past year, thus they will be the only shows under consideration (with the exception of Pride 27 and the Bushidos which I didn't watch). I went through the results of the 10 shows I saw, reviewed the stats and decided I'd rank each one 1st to 3rd. Any spelling errors (especially Fedor's last name) I apologise!

 

Fighter of the Year

 

1. Fedor Emelianenko

2. Antonio Rogdrigo Nogeira

3. Wanderlei Silva

 

Fedor looked as dominant as any fighter could possibly be in 2004. With an impressive PPV record of 4-0-1 he made quick work of Mark Coleman with an armbar at Total Elimination, got dropped on his head and still submitted Kevin Randleman at Critical Countdown, made short work of Ogawa and was looking good against Nogiera at Final Conflict before a fluk cut stopped the fight and absolutely dominated Minatauro for 3 rounds at Shockwave. He appaears unbeatable and as the

winner of the Pride GP tournament and undisputed holder of the Pride Heaviweight Championship, he is my pick for fighter of the year.

I give Minatauro second, because despite his tough loss to Fedor he had an impressive string of tough wins, all 3 entertaining show stealers with Yokoi, Herring (both by innovative choke) and took the decision against the very tough Sergei Kharotonov.

Wanderlei gets 3rd for impressive wins against Yuki Kondo (brutal stomps) at Final Conflict and a classic over Quinton Jackson (brutal knees) at High Octane. He stood toe to toe with the much larger Mark Hunt for 3 rounds at Shockwave, taking shots from one of the hardest hitters in MMA and did not get knocked out and was on top at the end. Even if he lost the decision, he still looked like a winner.

 

Fight of the Year

 

1. Wanderlei Silva vs. Rampage Jackson (High Octane)

2. Mark Hunt vs. Wanderlei Silva (Shockwave)

3. Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White (UFC 49: Unfinished Business)

 

Silva vs. Jackson was an easy pick for me. It was a truly epic fight and the best MMA match I have ever seen. These 2 pulled everything out, and threw everything at each other making for a nonstop thrilling fight. The visual at the end of Wanderlei's knees, Rampage's blood spurting out before he falls face first into the ropes can't be beat for it's drama!

I felt much the same way about Hunt vs. Silva which grabbed me and didn't let me go until the shocking ending. I don't know if I was more impressed with Silva's ability to take Hunt's punishment and still take him down or Hunt for looking so dominant not just in strikes but in submission defense too. This announced Hunt's arrival.

Liddell vs. White was just an excellent, thrilling match. Every time Liddell would nail White he was fall down and then re-emerge like the terminator or something. Insane. Great knockout too.

 

Show of the Year

 

1. Critical Countdown

2. UFC 49: Unfinished Business

3. UFC 47: It’s On!

 

Critical Coutdown to me was the most top to bottom entertaining show. There were 2 huge holy shit moments, first when Rampage powerbombed Arona, and then later when Fador was suplexed on his head by Randleman and he shrugged it off like it was nothing. Herring vs. Minatauro was an exciting back and forth fight, reminicent of their first classic, Kharitonov bloodying Schilt was quite the visual and Hunt put up a good fight in his debut against Yoshida showing some smart MMA instincts and skill.

UFC 49 was the suprise show of the year and the best UFC put on in a string of good ones. Lots of sick knockouts and upsets, a technical masterpiece in the prelim a satisfying main event title match and the aforementioned Liddell/White war makes this a top to bottom satisfying card that everyone can enjoy.

UFC 47 was a close pick with 46 for 3rd (unfortunately the latter ended on a sour note). Liddell vs. Tito had off the page excitement and a satisfying knockout conclusion. Arlovski pummeled Cabbage (who kept on taking it!) in an entertaining bout and Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler had an all around good, hard hitting fight.

 

Breakout Fighter of the Year

 

1. Mark Hunt

2. Sergei Kharotonov

3. Frank Mir

 

Mark Hunt has announced his arrival as a player in Pride. His debut match with Yoshida at Critical Countdown was a good predtictor as the thought to be clueless on the ground Hunt proved not to be so clueless but in fact have very good submission defense, popping out of several attempts and good ring awareness, he simply succumed to the veteran in his debut. His second fight with Bobbish at High Octane was more of a standup war and conditioning played a factor but he absorbed a lot of punishment, came back and scored the win over the large man. His 3rd fight, at Shockwave he took on 3 days notice, coming off an injury, against Pride's undefeated phenom Wanderlei Silva and won the decision. Doing things like rolling out and reversing the guard and blocking that Kimura proved Hunt to be more than just a slugger. Not to discount the mammoth shots he not only fired but absorbed from one of the most dangerous in Silva.

Kharotonov went from being an unknown to a player with a decisive win over Ninja Rua at Total Elimination. He bloodied Semmy Schilt at Critical Countdown and went toe to toe with Nogiera taking and giving all he had at Final Conflict. '

Frank Mir became a champion. He finished his war with Wes Simms in decisive fashion with a combination knockout at Supernatural and broke Tim Sylvia's arm, a minute and a half in to his match at Payback and won the UFC Heaiweight title. It's too bad he got into the motorcycle accident but I look forward to the young champion's return.

 

Upset of the Year

 

1. BJ Penn over Matt Hughes (UFC 46: Supernatural)

2. Kevin Randleman over Mirko Cro Crop (Pride: Total Elimination 2004)

3. Rulon Gardner over Yoshida (Pride: Shockwave)

 

Penn was smaller, less known and basically not given a chance. Still new to MMA and not knowing much about either of these 2 I jumped up out of my chair and started yelling and cheering when BJ hooked on that choke and won the Welterweight title. It's a shame contract disputes led to his departure.

Randleman's KO shot on Cro Cop was the shot heard around the MMA world. It was emphatic, sudden and decisive and an awesome and unexpected moment for the notorious choker.

I was really impressed with Gardner's debut. Yoshida by tapout in the 1st round seemed to be the concensus, yet Gardner stayed with him for 3 rounds, hit some hard shots (from a guy that many questioned if he could hit) and showed good defense against the crafty Yoshida for the the unanimous decision.

 

KO of the Year

 

1. Kevin Randleman over Cro Crop (Pride: Total Elimination 2004)

2. Chuck Liddell over Tito Ortiz (UFC 47: It’s On!)

3. Wanderlei Silva over Quinton Jackson (Pride: High Octane)

 

I've already mentioned Randleman's knockout and I think everyone can understand why it was my pick.

Liddell's knockout barrage over Tito gets second for me for its siginifcance and the momemt. Finally Chuck shut Tito up. Tito got hit, hard, again and again. You could feel it building when Chuck started to trap him and then the fists went flying. An awesome moment.

I've also mentioned the Silva/Jackson match but I tought those barrage of knees leading to that visual of Jackson nearly flying out of the ring upon knockout was a great image and a moment of the year.

 

Sub of the Year

 

1. Frank Mir over Tim Sylvia (UFC 48: Payback)

2. BJ Penn over Matt Hughes (UFC 46: Supernatural)

3. Matt Hughes over Georges St. Pierre (UFC 50: The War of 04)

 

Mir's armbar not only won him the title, it snapped Sylvia's arm in half! That's a submission.

Penn's choke on Hughes came suddenly like he saw the opening and just went for it and Hughes couldn't keep up with his quicker and smaller foe. Perfectly excecuted and a great moment.

Maybe because I was there live but Hughe's armbar over St. Pierre has to take 3rd. Pierre was in control with ONE second left. Just as the clock is counting down Hughes out of nowhere sweeps him and aplies a picture pefect arm bar for the tapout at the last possible second. An eruption in the arena but a dejected feeling for myself. But it was something and even I had to applaud Matt Hughes for pulling that out.

 

Worst fighter of the year

 

1. Stephen Leko

2. Giant Silva

3. Tito Ortiz

 

Leko really entetains me. He seems so clueless out there. At Total Elimination, he took what looked like a baby tap from the poorly skilled Ogawa, flopped down and was quickly submitted. It looked so bad many think it was a work. He followed up that performance at Shockwave by taking a DROPKICK from Ikuhisa Minowa, and then getting his leg tied up, grabbing the ropes, having like 3 referees pry his arms off and then having no choice but to tap to the heel hook. That's impressive.

Giant Silva I shouln't have to comment on. He's there for freak show, and it appears he's trying but he simply has no skill for MMA (although he did win over that sumo dude with the keylock at Total Elimination).

I give Tito Ortiz the last spot for an embarassing year. First he's completely owned by Chuck Liddell at It's On!, pretty much losing his hero status to many fans. Then at War of 04, when Guy Metzger is scratched he is fed an unknown named Patrick Cote who by all rights he should have finished in impressive fashion to raise his stock, and instead, after taking a couple of shots that must have scared him, he just layed on him for 3 rounds instead of doing anything, turning the pro Tito crowd totally against him by the end (the show ended in a chorus of boos) and making it appear to many fans that Cote could have won if it was stood up.

 

Worst fight of the year

 

1. Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 46: Supernatural)

2. Mirko Cro Cop vs. Josh Barnett (Pride: High Octane)

3. Tito Ortiz vs. Patrick Cote (UFC 50: The War of 04)

 

Pretty obvious choice. Not really there fault but for a hyped main event to end in 30 second after an eye scratch, that's a pretty bad fight.

Cro Cop vs. Barnett is similar in that a quick, fluke ending finishes what otherwise was a well anticipated fight.

I've explained Ortiz vs. Cote above. It left a flat note on an otherwise enjoyable live show.

 

Worst show of the year

 

1. Pride 27

2. Pride: Final Conflict

3. UFC 48: Payback

 

I really enjoyed in at least some ways all 10 MMA shows between UFC and Pride that I saw this year. The only major Pride show that I did not order was at the beginning of the year, Pride 27, and if it looked bad enough for me not to order, if gets my worst top spot.

Final Conflict gets second. Still a decent show, but the main event ended in disappointing fashion and besides Nogeira vs. Khaorotnov I just came away with a flat almost boring feeling for most of the show.

UFC 48 was probably UFC's weakest effort in a year of good shows from them. Shamrock/Kimo did not deliver as a main event, the title match went really short and the undercard didn't live up to the others.

 

Biggest fall

 

1. Tito Ortiz

2. Robbie Lawler

3. Carlos Newton

 

Ortiz went from UFC's goldenboy and huge fan favorite to being embarassed and then booed. His stock has dropped greatly.

Robbie Lawler did not have a good year. Supposedly a great striker, he was out boxed and knocked out by submission expert Nick Diaz at It's On! and then submitted quickly with a triange by the older Evan Tanner at War of 04.

Carlos Newton fought once on PPV, at UFC 46 against then unknown Renato Charuto Verissmo. Although the fight was set up as the "Return of the Ronin", Newton was dominated most of the fight by the less experienced Charuto and was embarassed enough to post an apology online.

 

Biggest Disappointment (fight)

 

1. Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 46: Supernatural)

2. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera (Pride: Final Conflict)

3. Mirko Cro Cop vs. Josh Barnett (Pride: High Octane)

 

Already covered and pretty self explanatory why the main event ending 30 second on a fluke would be disappointing.

Similar reasons again for Fedor vs. Noguiera. Had more time to fight and more action but it was left without a finish.

Cro Cop vs. Barnett was an anticipated fight that eneded quickly and bizzarely after nearly no action.

 

Biggest Disappointment (card)

 

1. Pride: Final Conflict

2. UFC 50: The War of 04

3. UFC 48: Payback

 

I thought Final Conflict looked good going in but it fell flat when I watched it, probably a lot do to the non finish in the main event.

I was excited to go to my first UFC when my dad scored comp tickets to War of 04. I had a good time and overall enjoyed the show (besides the obscene amounts of waiting around with nothing to do but listen to blaring rap music between the fights), but the main event definitely left things on a sour note and I was already deflated by St. Pierre's sudden loss.

Payback had its moments but too many short matches and filler on the undercard made it a flat show in retrospect.

 

Worst decision

 

1. Vitor Belfort awarded Light Heavyweight title on fluke cut (UFC 46: Supernatural).

2. Hughes awarded fight over Charuto (UFC 48: Payback)

3. Hunt awarded fight over Silva (Pride: Shockwave)

 

It might not be the same type of decison you were looking for, but it was a judges/ref's decision regardless and I think it was BS that the title changed hands on such a fluke. I understand the reaosning but don't agree with it and think things should be looked at on a case by case basis. Luckily Randy rectified it at Unfinished Business.

The first round of this was nuts, with mostly Charuto dominating Hughes, while Hughes just layed and prayed for much of the rest of the match and didn't do much to engage. It was close, and Charuto should have been given the decision based on him doing more, but that's politics.

3. I don't disagree so strongly with the decision as the case can be made that Hunt largely dominated the fight, but I think based on the weight disadvantage being overcome, several takedowns, absorbing the punishment without going down and finishing on top and in control should have been enough to earn Silva a victory. Hunt's star would have risen regardless.

 

"What the fuck?!"

 

1. Frank Mir breaks Tim Sylvia’s arm, wins heavyweight title. (UFC 48: Payback)

2. Leko takes baby tap from Ogawa, quickly submits (Pride: Total Elimination 2004)

3. Barnett injured, submits in Cro Cop’s guard (Pride: High Octane)

 

When the arm break happened, no one realised it, so when the ref stopped the fight and Sylvia started arguing it was a real WTF just happened moment. The replays made it clear, but even then, Sylvia (and the fans!) didn't agree and it was just a confusing situation.

I've already covered the absurdity of Ogawa's win over Leko, the whole thing just looked bizzare and was either a work, or Leko is truly terrible.

What did Barnett submit to? I guess just the guard. We know afterwards he injured himself shortly before and knew he was done, but at the time it didn't make much sense.

 

Most anticipated (potential) fight

 

1. Randy Couture vs. Wanderlei Silva

2. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Hunt

3. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko Cro Cop

 

Regardless of Silva's recent defeat, he's still the champ, still undefeated against middle weights while Randy is his UFC phenom equivalent. The thing is, they are similar but so different, one is young, one is old (relatively), one relies on his explosiveness and striking, the other on his wrestling and ground control, one is intimidating and intense, the other is humble and laid back. It would be a dream match. And no one can still answer who would win. Be it in UFC or Pride, in a cage or in a ring, in the US or in Japan I want to see this match.

After Hunt's peformance and Fedor's year of dominance, I think a match up between the 2 would be very entertaining. I can't see either getting finished which makes it so damn fun to think about.

Fedor vs. Cro Cop is the next big match Pride will schedule. It's not as intriguing to me as vs. Hunt but Cro Cop is still very dangerous and could be a threat to Fedor if he hits him hard enough.

 

"Watch out for"

1. Mark Hunt

2. Sergei Kharotonov

3. Georges St. Pierre

 

I've already explained that Mark Hunt is a star of the future and maybe future World Heaviweight champ.

Kharotonov stood his own against some of the best, and will certainly be back for more next year.

Although he lost in heartbreaking fashion to Matt Hughes at War of 04, Georges St. Pierre is still seen as a young phenom with the skills to be a champion. He should work his way back up next year and be in line for another shot.

 

2004 was pretty great, I'm ready for 2005!

[Styles 0]

So...did I write that all up for nothing? Anyone else with opinions?

[Guest Fear]

Final Conflict gets second. Still a decent show, but the main event ended in disappointing fashion and besides Nogeira vs. Khaorotnov I just came away with a flat almost boring feeling for most of the show.

 

This event had Fedor killing Ogawa (surely you got a kick out of watching Ogawa get decimated?), Cro Cop putting a beating on man-mountain Alexander Emelianenko (thus perfectly setting up the match we all want to see), and Wanderlei brutalizing highly regarded Yuki Kondo (who was supposed to put up a good fight against Silva).

 

Yes, the main event was a colossal let down. But I wouldn't let that take anything away from the rest of the show, which in my opinion, featured two of the most brutal KO's of the year.

[Styles 0]

So, RRR...are you ever going to finish answering your own awards thread?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Yes.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Bad Awards:

 

Worst fighter of the year

 

Mark Kerr - Yes, he only fought once... that's the point. He fucked up at the beginning of the year and never attempted to recover. He lost to a jobber on a simple takedown, and just hid away from the world again.

 

Worst fight of the year

 

Tito Ortiz vs. Patrick Cote - There were probably more fights this year with shitty technique and what not, but Tito was once seen as a top fighter in the sport and should have been on another level than Cote. Is there anything worse than shitty GnP?

 

Worst show of the year

 

PRIDE 27. Little build, nothing exciting on the card... I never even saw it, thus breaking my streak of PRIDE shows.

 

Biggest fall

 

Carlos Newton - Sure, he lost to good opponents, but this guy was once -to me- one of the best, most exciting fighters, in the world. What happened man?

 

Biggest Disappointment (fight)

 

Belfort vs. Couture UFC 46: Supernatural - their first fight was one of my favourites and I was expecting something similar. Yeah... didn't work out that way.

 

Biggest Disappointment (card)

 

PRIDE 28: High Octane - sure it had Silva/Rampage, but that's it. It had two of the most disappointing fights in Barnett/Cro Cop and Hendo/Nak, both of which I was dying to see.

 

Worst decision

 

Hughes vs. Charuto - I agree witchuguyz on this one. Hughes didn't do anything to win the fight and Charuto at least had him in trouble. Knowing the UFC, they probably gave points to Matt for escaping the hold rather than Renato for applying it.

 

"What the fuck?!"

 

Kevin Randleman's flying german suplex driver bomb on Fedor. Jesus.

 

2005

 

Most anticipated (potential) fight

 

Hendo vs. Silva - they're setting it up, and it will rule. Also, Liddell vs. Couture 2, since their first one was so fucking great. Cro Cop vs. Fedor has to happen, and Fedor will become The Greatest Of All Time after he beats Mirko. Any Gomi fight. Dear god that was an awesome fight against Pulver.

 

"Watch out for"

 

Gomi. Dominant in 2004, PRIDE has to make room for him on their main cards now after his performance against Pulver. Sure, he's been well known for years but this year in particular will see the man get into the mainsteam eye.

[cameron chaos 0]

Good Awards:

 

Fighter of the Year

Mirko Cro Cop. 8 fights in one year, the one he lost he avenged.

 

Fight of the Year

Rampage vs Silva rematch. Tense first round where Rampage ended strong, brutal second round with a KO that is highlight reel worthy.

 

Show of the Year

UFC 49 was a solid show with something for everyone.

 

Breakout Fighter of the Year

Ryo Chonen. Well rounded with great subs and defense who defied expectations against Newton and surprised many against Anderson Silva.

 

Upset of the Year

Randleman over Cro Cop.

 

KO of the Year

Silva KO'ing Rampage.

 

Sub of the Year

Either Chonen's "spider killer" heel hook or Minotauro's Anaconda choke.

 

Bad Awards:

 

Worst fighter of the year

Wes Sims.

 

Worst fight of the year

Ogawa vs Leko.

 

Worst show of the year

I can't think of a show I saw without some redeeming matches.

 

Biggest fall

Tito, Kerr, Newton, Lawler... there's as few.

 

Biggest Disappointment (fight)

Vitor vs Randy @ Supernatural.

 

Biggest Disappointment (card)

I was actually a little let down by the PRIDE news years show.

 

Worst decision

Hughes vs Verissimo or Hunt vs Silva.

 

"What the fuck?!"

Hunt's flying BUTT drop.

 

2005

 

Most anticipated (potential) fight

Rogerio vs Silva. Both BJJ black belts, both train MT but Silva is more aggressive and less technical, plus the CB vs BTT angle entertains me.

 

"Watch out for"

Joe Riggs.