To say that a lot happened both inside and outside the cage in 2013 is an understatement. In order to go over everything, this week’s installment of the Best of 2013 series will be the top 10 MMA moments of 2013 and they could happen inside or outside the cage.
As usual the picks were made by the members of the MMA Freak writing staff. There were of course those moments that were nominated but did not receive enough votes to make it into the top 10. However, they will be recognized in the usual honorable mentions list:
~ Honorable Mentions ~
Strikeforce held its’ final event with the top fighters in their roster being imported to the UFC and MMA going dark on Showtime since then
The Lloyd Irvin Rape Scandal
Lyoto Machida makes his middleweight debut
UFC Fight Nights make a return to both Saturday and Wednesday nights
UFC adds a 115lbs. women’s weight class
A Diaz brother was finished for the first time when Josh Thomson finished Nate Diaz
Sanctioning pioneer Jeff Blatnick dies
Bellator pay-per-view falls apart
Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler 2
Bellator moves to Spike
Conor McGregor becomes notorious
UFC makes its’ first trip to China
Fight Master Season 1
Now here we go with the top 10 moments that shaped MMA this last year:
~ 10 ~
Ronda Rousey gets taken past the first round by Miesha Tate for the first time
Before UFC 168, Ronda Rousey had never gone past the first round because of her trademark arm bar. However, leading to their grudge match, Miesha Tate devised a strategy with her coaching staff actually hoping to defeat Rousey but not allowing her to acquire the arm bar.
While Tate was able to keep Rousey from finding the arm bar for two and a half rounds, she was in no way controlling the match as Rousey was getting the better of the striking and grappling. This proved that Rousey can go longer than a round. It also proves that Rousey’s training with world champion Lucia Rijker has actually been working as she can do more than go straight for an arm bar.
~ 9 ~
TRT: The Never-ending saga
The controversy surrounding the issue of testosterone replacement therapy continues to grow with more fighters testing positive for it. Ben Rothwell tested positive for elevated levels but because he’d already gotten an exception, he was suspended by the UFC for nine months.
Vitor Belfort had a similar situation going on and because of that his wins this year come with a question mark. Then the worst part was Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva‘s positive test which ruined his potential Fight of the Year performance against Mark Hunt. All of it is sad but true.
~ 8 ~
Jon Jones gets taken down by Alexander Gustafsson
Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson put on a war at UFC 165 this last fall. The fight was so close that many think that Gustafsson was robbed. It’s no wonder if he was able to take down Jon Jones a few times during the match.
It just showed that despite his dominance at the present of the UFC Light Heavyweight division, Jones is still human. The question is whether it’ll lead to his downfall this year.
~ 7 ~
UFC 167 Fallout
There were a few different topics that caused quite a stir following UFC 167. One was the state of judging in MMA right now. Another was GSP‘s decision to walk away and the chance for Johny Hendricks to reach out for welterweight gold again.
The fallout has actually continued due to GSP’s comments about the UFC on several occasions. As of yet the fallout hasn’t stopped and probably will not for a while.
~ 6 ~
Launch of Fox Sports 1
As part of the deal between the UFC and Fox, UFC programming was spread out over several channels but the bulk of the programming was on channel FX which is not normally known for it’s sports programming. This actually went hand in hand with Fox’s plan to create their national sports network to compete with the likes of ESPN, NBCSN and CBS Sports Network.
As part of it the bulk of the UFC programming was transferred to the new channel Fox Sports 1 with a few fight cards put on companion channel Fox Sports 2 and of course the four events on regular Fox. So far the move has been beneficial for both parties. The Fox partnership has never been stronger.
~ 5 ~
Anderson Silva’s leg break
This is probably the saddest moment on this list and it’s painful just thinking about it. Anderson Silva was granted an immediate rematch against Chris Weidman following his UFC 162 loss.
The second time around Silva took things seriously but was still controlled by Weidman. Then in the second round one of Silva’s kicks was checked, resulting in a shattered leg. He claims he’s coming back, but that’s a big “if.“
~ 4 ~
First TUF to feature women
It hadn’t been a month following the first women’s championship bout in the UFC when it was announced women would be involved in season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter. This was a historical moment and several veteran women tried out and were able to compete on the show in some capacity.
It was also significant in that it was the first time women coached teams. The season proved that women could throw down and draw audiences better then men at times. The ratings were good when the women competed and history was made in the promotion.
~ 3 ~
The first women’s bout in UFC history
Dana White had long said that women would never compete in the UFC because he didn’t feel there was a deep enough talent pool. However, he was so impressed by Ronda Rousey‘s performance and charisma that he decided to give women a shot.
This first bout didn’t disappoint as Liz Carmouche certainly gave Rousey a run for her money. Since that fight the women’s bantamweight division has blossomed and the first women’s TUF has taken place. In addition the UFC will be adding a women’s strawweight division in the fall.
~ 2 ~
GSP leaves MMA indefinitely
Georges St-Pierre sat atop the UFC welterweight division for close to six years. However, despite this there were many saying that opponent Johny Hendricks was going to be the biggest challenge of Rush’s career. The experts weren’t wrong as the two went at it for five rounds in a very close match.
When the match ended and GSP was interviewed about the controversial result, St-Pierre announced that he would like to spend sometime away from the sport. He later vacated the title and has had some things to say about the UFC.
~ 1 ~
The Fall of Anderson Silva
This has to be the defining moment of 2013, hands down. Anderson Silva is considered by man to be the greatest fighter in the sport of MMA ever. However, going into UFC 162 many were saying that if anyone stood a chance at toppling the longtime pound for pound king it was Chris Weidman.
Weidman proved this by going in and controlling Silva for the first round and in the second round carefully picked his shots and was able to catch Silva’s chin at just the right moment. At that point the Silva era ended and the Weidman era began.
Next week as we continue to wind down the Best of 2013 series we will go over the first of the big three categories. Stay tuned.