What Are The Year's Top 5 Fights So Far?
by kamander on Aug 29, 2008 1:17 AM EDT
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PrintI always like to link up Tomas Rios' pre-fight articles from Sherdog. They are fun and entertaining, as they should be. However, his latest article about the year's top 5 fights is about as accurate as his fight predictions.
#5: Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson (UFC 86) was a good fight, but the only way it would be #1 one is if the basis were title controversy.
#4: Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura (WEC 35) was a back and forth battle of attrition where either fighter could have dropped at any time, but they just kept going. Both fighters demonstrated impressive heart and skill on their feet and the ground.
#3: Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell (Affliction) showed the former IFL heavyweight star face his first opponent outside the now defunct organization, and we saw Arlovski demonstrate the type of aggressive style that garnered so many fans back in the days of his incredible knockout streak in the UFC.
#2: Miguel Angel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda (WEC 34) was an absolutely vicious battle that went back and forth constantly with both fighters taking plenty and dishing it out with impressive doses of tenacity and skill.
#1: Eddie Alvarez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Dream 5) was without a doubt the best fight of the year so far. Watching these two battle it out with the intensity they did had fans on the edge of your seat in disbelief. Combined with the Grand Prix relevance and decisive TKO finish, there is no disputing it's place in the ranks.
Of course Eddie Alvarez vs. Joachim Hansen (Dream 3) was a great fight (#6), but Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (UFC 81) isn't even top 10. Overall it was a plodding fight, and there have been too many fights that are far more exciting and relevant.
Well Tomas, thanks for the pre-fight laughs over the years. Stick to your specialty.
What do you think were the best fights this year? Add your ratings at MMA Ratings
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Agreed
Mine however is tweeked slightly.
5. Hazelett v. Burkman – TUF 7 Finale
4. Faber v. Pulver – WEC 34
3. Condit v. Miura – WEC 35
2. Torres v. Maeda – WEC 34
1. Alvarez v. Kawajiri – Dream 5
I think Arlovski v. Rothwell was too lopsided for my liking. GSP v. Fitch was a similar matchup with one guy outclassed. However, I think Fitch showed a lot more heart that Rothwell and GSP showed alot more skill than Arlovski. Hazelett v. Burkman makes my list just because I think it was the best grappling match of the year. Once again a bit lopsided, but everytime Hazelett threw a sub on Burkman pulled out of it. A great chess match until Hazelett threw down the submission of the year, and probably one of the top 10 ever. I’m a sucker for a good grappling match so this pick is a bit baised.
"I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them."
-George Bush
The top two fights this year
2.) Eddie Alvarez versus Tatsuya Kawajiri (Dream.5)
1.) Eddie Alvarez versus Joachim Hansen (Dream.3)
Simple as that. Torres/Maeda was a great fight and is third on my list.
Arlovski/Rothwell is not top five. Hell no. No effing way. I was there in person to watch that fight and it was not that exciting of a back-and-forth battle. The second round was, for a moment.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
Those are all valid points and opinions. I invite you to rate those votes at MMA Ratings and contribute to the overall community fight rankings.
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MMA Ratings
5. Alvarez/Hansen - Up/Down & Back/Forth this was an all around great fight, no one showed that they were the clear favorite… very even match-up (this fight is either #5 or #1- depending on your criteria)
4. Griffin/Jackson — Leg kicks were never so exciting. Forrest implemented his game plan perfectly, but all it takes is one punch from Jackson.
3. Condit/Miura — The Judo display by Miura made Condit seem the underdog, but Carlos’ excellent BJJ & Mui Thai were just waiting to find a home.
2. Maia/McDonald — BJJ all the way… These guys are very good.
1. Aoki/Calvancante 2 — This fight took place in another dimension. Aoki is an alien from another universe. Standing Body Triangles & what was up with that Crab Walk Attack? JZ couldn’t win, he could only survive.
Torres/Maeda just missed the cut because Torres was never really in any serious trouble — he should have finished that fight, but Maeda was just too damn tough.
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
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