2008 Bloody Elbow Reader Awards: Fighter of the Year
by Mike Fagan on Feb 10, 2009 8:56 AM EST
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FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Rashad Evans
Rashad Evans entered 2008 as just another body in the second tier of the 205 scrap heap. He started 2007 blazing hot with a highlight reel KO over Sean Salmon, but lost steam after stealing a draw from Tito Ortiz and winning a razor-thing split decision over Mike Bisping in November.
He had to wait just shy of ten months before he had the opportunity to redeem himself. Scheduled as a replacement for Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 85, Evans' found himself without an opponent after Chuck Liddell and James Irvin both pulled out with injuries.
Zuffa rescheduled the Evans/Liddell matchup for UFC 89 and banked on a Liddell victory. The company forsaw a huge moneymaker with a potential fight with Forrest Griffin at their year end show. Evans put the kabosh on all of that.
In a patient first round, Evans kept out of Liddell's range while figuring out his timing. A minute into round two, Evans backed into the fence, planted his feet, and unloaded a huge overhand right. Liddell lost consciousness before he hit the mat, and Evans found himself with the knockout of the year.
Without a clear contender for Griffin, the UFC inserted Evans into a main event title fight pitting the winners of seasons one and two of the Ultimate Fighter at UFC 92. Evans again started slow in the fight, losing the first two rounds decisively. In round three, Evans dropped the champion , who survived the early onslaught. Griffin's jiu-jitsu failed him over time, however, and Evans earned himself a TKO stoppage halfway through the period.
Evans finds himself in an entirely different situation than the previous year. He holds the title for the most prestigious MMA organization in the most prestigious weight division. He arrived here after impressively finishing two top ten fighters while improving his overall MMA game.
The upcoming year will be a huge test for "Sugar." He's lined up with former champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and should he get by Rampge, he'll have to figure out the Lyoto Machida puzzle. Should he run the gauntlet, we may be crowning him fighter of the year yet again.
2nd PLACE: Miguel Torres
3rd PLACE: Gegard Mousasi
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You think? He’s fighting a guy he should beat. That doesn’t mean he will, but it’s still the expected result.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Not really. He’s a 3-1 favorite, and he poses a lot of problems for a guy with a notoriously weak chin.
In a weird sort of way, each fighter’s most glaring weakness is the other’s strong suit. Interesting matchmaking.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 1:57 AM EST up reply actions
What problems does Rampage pose to Jardine’s chin that Vera and Liddell didn’t?
by George Lucas on Feb 10, 2009 1:58 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not really sure what you’re asking? Jardine got KO’d by Houston Alexander of all people, and Wandy just put him down quick. Rampage has huge power in both hands.
by Mike Fagan on Feb 10, 2009 2:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Jardine got KO’d by Houston and Silva, sure. He also took everything two of the best strikers in the division for 3 rounds. Counting him out against Rampage is silly, particularly after seeing Rampage get picked apart by Forrest.
by George Lucas on Feb 10, 2009 4:07 AM EST up reply actions
You’re right, Jardine shouldn’t be counted out. I mean, his gameplan against Chuck was essentially the same Forrest had against Rampage.
But if match the two fighters up objectively, Rampage wins out almost every time.
by Applejack McNeil on Feb 10, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
I'm sorry...
Are you saying that Vera is one of the two best strikers in the division? Vera has been a shell of what he was ever since he came back from the contract dispute.
I for one am not counting out Jardine. He could win/lose to any opponent and I would not be surprised.
by missmanners on Feb 10, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Swarming fighters (and yes that is a style)
will always pose a destruction threat to Jardine. Chuck is a counter puncher and rampage is also… but if Rampage smells any blood after landing 1 punch he will swarm Jardine and overwhelm him for the kill
Gimme 1 Round!
Thiago Alves
…seems to be mistakenly absent from this list. He’s had a tremendous year, and I’d be hard pressed to say that Rashad has had a better year than him, let alone someone like Mousasi.
Rashad can make weight…
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 12:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He could have agreed to a catchweight fight beforehand so Hughes didn’t have to make the cut at all (I doubt it would have made a difference, but Hughes had enough disadvantages as it was…)
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 3:26 AM EST up reply actions
Alves did call Silva and told them there is no way he could make weight. Dana & Co. decided to go ahead with the fight since like 10 fighters have already have pulled off this card and it was completely jinxed. Alves tried to make weight but without cardio since he couldn’t walk it wasn’t possible. Stop slamming people for saving events and try to give them a little props for saving events.
I didn’t know he talked to Silva beforehand.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
Mousasi...
had about 3 times the year that Alves had. Which isn’t to say that he had a bad year, but Mousasi was my pick for fighter of the year
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 10, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Right three, but I'd say in wrong order.
1-Mousasi – 6 wins, and the GP
2-Evans – Two tremendous finishes, both highlight-worthy
3-Torres – 3 dominant wins, including a FotY
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 12:51 AM EST reply actions
None of Mousasi’s wins come close to the level of Evans’.
by Mike Fagan on Feb 10, 2009 1:01 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
True, but they’re still respectable, and the activity would just barely edge him out. Your mileage may vary.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 1:05 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know. Mousasi’s upkick KO of Jacare rivals that of Evans’ overhand right KO of Chuck.
Mousasi was my FOtY. I base fighters being eligible based upon them fighting three fights within the calendar year. That was a main reason why.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
I meant in terms of opposition quality. Liddell and Griffin are top 10 fighters (and Griffin was number 1 at the time). Mousasi’s biggest victory is over a downward trending Denis Kang or still-green Jacare. His opposition isn’t bad, per se, and with the added volume of fights in 2008, it makes up for it.
I think a lot of the complaining about the top 3 in all the awards is pretty silly as a lot of these are really close.
by Mike Fagan on Feb 10, 2009 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Is there any way we could see the numbers, or would that just cause a shitstorm?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 1:49 AM EST up reply actions
On the other hand Mousasi fought and won three times as many fights in 2008, with all but one being a top 50 opponent.
by George Lucas on Feb 10, 2009 1:51 AM EST up reply actions
Finishing Manhoef and Jacare on the same night in a combined time of under four minutes is more impressive than anything Rashad has done in his entire career.
by George Lucas on Feb 10, 2009 1:46 AM EST up reply actions
Mousasi’s four-fight run of Kang, Yoon, Manheof, and Jacare is only beaten by the four-fight run that GSP put up when he beat Trigg, Sherk, Penn, and Hughes.
And consider that he finished three of the four while GSP finished did the same.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
There are better four fight runs that Mousasi. Here are a couple:
Fighter A beat Lutter, Marquardt, Franklin, and Henderson.
Fighter B beat Lytle, Parisyan, Hughes, and Koscheck.
Lutter = Yoon.
Marquardt < Kang.
Franklin = Manhoef.
Henderson = Jacare.
This is all in my opinion, by the way.
Lytle = Yoon.
Parisyan < Kang.
Hughes < Manhoef.
Koscheck > Jacare.
I did like how you used Anderson Silva and Thiago Alves as comparisons. I almost forgot about their runs.
And I’m taking talent into account here mixed with results.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
Lutter = Yoon.
Marquardt < Kang.
Franklin = Manhoef.
Henderson = Jacare
You’re kidding, right?
Lutter is a very good blackbelt. Yoon is at best durable and difficult to finish.
Marquardt has never gotten guillotined by somebody like Alan Belcher.
Franklin is a technically savvy and experience mixed martial artist. Manhoef is a good kickboxer with a great deal of power and zero ground game.
Henderson is veteran and the first to hold two belts in a major organization at the same time. Souza did a bang up job at several ADCC’s/Mundials and is a prospect.
I exaggerate a little for effect, but in no way is Mousasi’s ‘08 run roughly the same as Anderson’s four-fight streak.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 2:39 AM EST up reply actions
The comparisons are a bit silly. But for what it is worth, I would take Yoon, Manhoef and Jacare if those were matchups.
(For clarification rather than an indication of disbelief) You mean Yoon over Lutter, Manhoef over Franklin, and Jacare over Henderson?
Yoon/Lutter would be interesting. I still think that Lutter could get it done, but I would hardly be surprised if he gassed like an H2 on I-95.
I don’t think Manhoef would beat Franklin. If they stayed on the feet, I could see Manhoef’s powerful kickboxing leaving Franklin KO’d, but I think Franklin would probably take him down and show of his underrated ground game.
Jacare/Henderon would also be an interesting one. I admit I see it going down roughly the same as Henderson/Palhares, but I’ll defer to you on this one because I don’t know exactly how different Palhares’ and Jacare’s ground games are.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Very different
Jacare is one of if not THE top submission guy in the world no-gi. He’s powerful like Palhares but also has GnP and is better at jiu-jitsu. Jacare is all around better than Palhares – except Palhares may have a better chin. It still might not change anything and Hendo could outwrestle Jacare but it would be awesome and not ugly like the Palhares fight
Gimme 1 Round!
Yah you're on the losing end here
Manhoef would KILL (and I mean that literally, they would bury Franklins disfigured rotting corpse after the fight), Yoon would last 3 minutes against Lutter which means he would win and I’m willing to bet Kang would finally not make a stupid mistake against Marquardt and fight for the scorecards and beat him on a decision. Jacare and Hendo would be ridiculous.
Gimme 1 Round!
Both of those 4 fight spans cross the boundary of a year, and are thus irrelevant to the discussion at hand.
by George Lucas on Feb 10, 2009 4:10 AM EST up reply actions
Who Am I?
Door #1: Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem, Ricardo Arona
Door #2: Jeremy Horn, Randy Couture, Babalu, Tito Ortiz
(I like this game)
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 2:40 AM EST up reply actions
Note: I didn’t check fightfinder
I’m gonna go with Shogun for door number one and Liddell for number two.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 2:47 AM EST up reply actions
“Note: I didn’t check fightfinder”
That would, of course, be cheating.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 2:48 AM EST up reply actions
I figured I would mention that I didn’t just in case. :-)
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 2:49 AM EST up reply actions
;)
Why? What are you going to do?
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 2:50 AM EST up reply actions
Not knowing is half the fun – but it’s gonna be spectacular when it happens.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 2:51 AM EST up reply actions
I'll be ready.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 2:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Here's two more:
Door #1: Sam Hoger, David Heath, Kaz Nakamura, Soko
Door #2: Patrick Cote, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin, Ken Shamrock
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 2:57 AM EST up reply actions
Machida and…
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 2:58 AM EST up reply actions
guy Machida beat.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 2:59 AM EST up reply actions
You’re turn.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 3:01 AM EST up reply actions
Jesus Christ...
Your turn.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 3:01 AM EST up reply actions
Some easy ones...
Door 1: Caol Uno, Dennis Hallman, B.J. Penn, Rob Emerson
Door 2: Jim Miller, Tyson Griffin, Mark Bocek, Spencer Fisher
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:05 AM EST up reply actions
Correct.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:08 AM EST up reply actions
What? Nobody knows the first one?
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Pulver?
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Guy 1: Thiago Alves, Diego Sanchez, Brock Larson, Roan Carneiro
Guy 2: Colin Robinson, Eddie Sanchez, Mike Wessel
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 3:05 AM EST up reply actions
Guy 1: Nobody has beat those guys in that order.
Guy 2: Hardonk.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:07 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, it has to be in order. Balls. Ok, well who beat all of em?
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 3:08 AM EST up reply actions
Fitch, right?
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:09 AM EST up reply actions
When one of the guys only has two losses, it’s easy.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:10 AM EST up reply actions
And on that note, I’m going to bed. I don’t need to get up until Thursday, but it’s past midnight and I’m tired, so g’night.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2009 3:12 AM EST up reply actions
Higher up, FlyByKnight listed Mousasi’s 4-Fight win streak as being impressive, so we were coming up with other 4W runs. So someone lists the losers, and we guess who’s behind the door.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 10, 2009 3:20 AM EST up reply actions
Griffen wouldn't even be able to cry when Manhoef connected on him
Because he would be unconscious. Griffen’s only hope ONLY hope is a TD.
Gimme 1 Round!
Early frontrunner for 2010, as well. Mousasi was impressive, but like Mike said, who’d he beat as compared to Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin?
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 1:21 AM EST reply actions
The "7 Wins in 2008" Club:
Jon Jones
Daisuke Nakamura
Gegard Mousasi (if you include wiping out Musashi in K-1)
Jon Jones would be the craziest since he STARTED HIS CAREER IN APRIL.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 2:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, and Gegard?
‘Young Vagabond’ is a shitty nickname. Upgrade.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 10, 2009 2:55 AM EST reply actions
Nope. I’m right there with you.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 10, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Very possible
But thats more credit to Jacare than a problem for Mousasi. Jacare would beat the vast majority of the guys in the top 10. Mousasi did regain guard from side control against arguably the worlds best no-gi grappler. Thats a credit right there.
Gimme 1 Round!
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