As another mma year wraps up, I’ll look back at who were the best fighters of 2012. The one thing that effects this though is the injury bug this year. Normally fighters have around 3 fights a year, but that was dampened. Also I’m not only referring to the UFC, but other organizations such as Strikeforce, and Bellator have had this issue as well.
5. Nick Newell (XFC)
Known as the one-armed fighter, Newell has had a fairy tale of a year. Defying odds, he is not only undefeated in his young career but now a champion in XFC. He became the XFC lightweight champion this December defeating Eric Reynolds, to cap off a 3-0 year in 2012. Now some fans may have never heard of him, but he is the real deal, even with only one arm. It’s a matter of time until one the upper tier mma organizations give him a shot.
4. Andrey Koreshkov (Bellator)
At 21, with a record of 8-0, the Russian came to the United States to fight under Bellator. The expectations were high, and he certainly was able to live up the hype. Koreshkov went 5-0 in 2012, finishing 3 of his opponents. Perhaps his biggest wins were his last two against the DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis, and former Bellator welterweight champion Lyman Good. Not only did Koreshkov go 5-0 as stated above, but he did not appear to be in trouble in any of his fights. Koreshkov will look to build off a successful 2012 campaign in 2013, where he will fight the winner of Ben Askren vs Karl Amoussou for the belt.
3. Matt Brown (UFC)
Talk about a year, Brown arguably went from almost being cut in the UFC, to putting together a 4 fight win streak in 2012. With a 12-11 record to start the year, a win streak like this would have been unimaginable. But, it happened as Brown defeated the likes of Chris Cope, Stephen Thompson, Luis Ramos, and most notably Mike Swick. Three of those wins by knockout to boot. Expect Brown to get another high-profile fight in 2013.
Author: Lawscientist
2. Ben Henderson (UFC)
Ben Henderson has been on a rise like no other since 2011, and was able to keep it going in 2012. Henderson went 3-0, capturing the UFC Lightweight belt, and was able to successfully defend it twice. Now, although his two fights with Frankie Edgar were labeled as controversial, he was able to put that behind him dominating Nate Diaz from start to finish. Henderson will likely be fighting Gilbert Melendez in 2013, which could further cement his legacy in the UFC.
What a year for Ronda Rousey, and although she fought only twice, her accomplishments were ever so numerous. Rousey is a talent, and not only does her mouth excite, but her submission game is ridiculously amazing. Rousey went 2-0 this year, including capturing the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship in what was voted as the submission of the year. Rousey’s accomplishments don’t stop there, as she broke barriers being the first women signed to the UFC. She also is going to headline UFC 157, where she will defend her newly acquired UFC belt. Literally, Rousey not only elevated women’s mma in a single year, but took it to the extreme by getting into the UFC. Rousey is the fighter of the year in my books, for sure.
After one night of fights, another night begins, and our main event should be an interesting one. Roy Nelson will meet Matt Mitrione whom is replacing Shane Carwin due to an injury. Mitrione is 5-1, and all those fights are in the UFC which is very rare for any fighter. On the top of my head the only other one who has achieved such, is Matt Riddle. Mitrione is going to need to put forth a great performance though to beat Nelson who is as durable as they come. Mitrione already had one step up in competition in Kongo, and failed miserably to capitalize anything in that fight. Nelson is a very complete fighter, and one of only 2 men to go the distance with Junior Dos Santos. The man has an iron chin, an extra padding in that gut. Nelson can take this fight anywhere he wants to, but I’d think he is going to keep this one standing, and take Mitrione to the cage and beat him up in the clinch. I really don’t see Mitrione having much of a chance here, as Nelson is better anywhere the fight goes. Nelson via decision.
Now, I’ll be honest here I didn’t watch an episode of this season, which is rare because I normally like TUF. It’s just been very uninteresting lately, so I just didn’t make it a priority to watch. But, I do know Mike Ricci from his Ringside MMA fights, as well as his short lived Bellator career. That short lived Bellator career though, isn’t to say he is bad or anything, he just ran into the future champion Pat Curran. He certainly is a gifted fighter though, and he has some heavy hands to boot. As for Colton Smith, I know he is a Army Ranger, and he pretty good wrestler. The only thing he doesn’t really have enough here is experience, and Ricci has a good amount. Ricci also has fought some notable names as well, and has some decent wins including a win over Jordan Mein. I honestly think Ricci is going to KO him, and maybe I don’t know enough about Smith to say he has no chance, but Ricci is gifted, and we will see him be crowned as the welterweight TUF Finale 16 winner.
Another battle of heavyweights is on the card, which should be a really good one. Two kickboxers will meet, and I don’t see this one going to the distance. Shane Del Rosario is coming off his first professional loss, and will look to get back on track. One of the more talented prospects to come over from Strikeforce, with a serious Muay Thai kickboxing background, and he is very good on the ground to boot. This is definitely what I’d call Kryptonite for most heavyweights. His opponent is the very popular Pat Barry, who’d I’d have to believe needs a win here in the worst way. Barry in his last 4 fights is 1-3, so he might be on the cutting block, although his fights are exactly what the UFC and fans love. To be honest, I think this one will start standing, and Del Rosario at some point is going to take Barry down, and exploit is non existent ground game. Barry has to come out aggressive and fight on the inside, but I’m not sure he is going to come out like that. I just don’t see Barry winning this one because once it hits the ground, I’d just consider it over. Del Rosario by submission.
This next fight is such a fun one, and I expect someone’s lights to go out. Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard will go toe to toe, and I expect this to be an all out war slugfest. Varner after returning to the UFC, and knocking out the heavily hyped prospect Edson Barboza put forth an excellent fight against Joe Lauzon, but came up short when Lauzon strapped on a triangle choke to end it. Varner looks to rebound, and although he like to stand and bang, he can threaten a submission in this fight. Guillard who is regarded as one of the most talented lightweights has hit a rough patch in his career just shortly after an all time high. So, in other words, his career has been a roller coaster lately. Guillard is one of the most athletic lightweights, and he packs a punch to boot on the feet, but his ground game has cost him just about every fight. Varner having never been knocked out, I really like his chances to knock out Guillard early. I’ve just seen a resurgence from Varner, and his stand up looks great. I expect him to unload on Guillard and finish him early.
I’m not going to over analyze our first fight of the main card, but I really like Dustin Poirier here. He is exceptional anywhere this fight goes, and Jonathan Brookins hasn’t quiet lived up to being a TUF winner. Brookins is a nice wrestler with a smother top game, but I don’t think his striking game is all there yet. He just hasn’t had much success lately, but that is in part to the quality of his opponents. I’d say this is the best opponent he will have fought, not discrediting Koch but Poirier is a contender in the featherweight division. Poirier is going to roll in this fight en route to a decision win.
Lyman Good is an excellent wrestler, and pretty well rounded fighter, and I believe should take this fight rather easily. Expect Tsarev to threaten with some submissions though, but Good will shrug them off .
Although Marius Zaromskis is not favored in this fight, he has been able to utilize his striking ability and work in some takedowns to edge out close decisions. His opponent Koreshkov is no joke though, and has a strong striking game. If Zaromskis can keep Koreshkov at a distance and pick him off, and avoid being hit, he could edge this out. I’m going with the Vet Zaromskis.
Daniel Straus is a pure wrestler, with a great top game, and Alvin Robinson will have nothing to offer him in this fight. Straus should easily take this one, lock it in.
Brian Rogers always brings it, and is one of the most exciting fighters in Bellator. His opponent is a game one, and I believe we are in for a slugfest with the heavy handed slugger Rogers redeeming himself after losing in a brawl to Andreas Spang.
