By all accounts, it was a down year for the UFC. Many of its top stars were out of commission, a number of high-profile fights were cancelled or postponed for various reasons and more events resulted in some watered down cards.
However, that doesn’t mean there was a shortage of talking points both in and out of the Octagon. Here’s a look at sportsnet.ca’s top UFC stories from 2014.
Nick Diaz emerges from shadows after retirement (Mar. 16)
For years, Nick Diaz has been one of the most enigmatic figures in MMA. For all his shortcomings – failed drug tests, awkward interviews, skipping media obligations – Diaz remains one of the most popular fighters in the sport. After losing to GSP at UFC 158 in Montreal last March, Stockton, Calif.’s finest announced he was retiring. No one really believed his retirement would stick and we were right. But before the UFC officially announced his return – one that will see him take on Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 – Diaz attended UFC 171 and let the world know he was back.
Read full story
Tito Ortiz wins first non-UFC fight in 14 years (May 17)
When Tito Ortiz signed with Bellator MMA, the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was viewed as a bit of a laughing stock having lost seven of his previous nine fights. When he was matched up with Bellator’s middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko at the organization’s inaugural PPV event, many counted The Huntington Beach Bad Boy out. Turns out Ortiz, whose only other non-UFC fight took place in 1998, still had some fight in him after all.
Read full story
Sonnen fails drug test, pulled from UFC 175 (Jun. 10)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. It wasn’t long ago that Chael Sonnen was a perennial title contender, but 2014 wasn’t a great year for the “Gangster from West Linn.” Sonnen began the year by coaching The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 and a brawl on the set with fellow coach Wanderlei Silva resulted in their scheduled bout being one of the most anticipated of the year. Unfortunately, it never materialized. Silva refused to take a random drug test from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was replaced by Vitor Belfort. However, Sonnen vs Belfort never happened because Sonnen failed a drug test. One day after the failed test was made public, Sonnen announced his retirement. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Sonnen left an indelible mark on UFC fans.
Read full story
UFC’s return to Vancouver falls flat (Jun. 14)
UFC 174 was a microcosm of the organization’s troubles in Canada in 2014. While debuts in Quebec City and Halifax produced memorable events, the promotion’s return to Vancouver for the first time in three years was universally considered a disaster. Its PPV buy rate was disappointing and many fans even walked out of the building during the main event — even though that wasn’t at all fair to flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
Read full story
Ronda Rousey’s star continues to shine (Jul. 6)
In short time, Ronda Rousey has become arguably the biggest star in the UFC among active fighters. Her combination of in-cage skill, out-of-cage charisma, emergence in Hollywood and a willingness to speak her mind has led to her becoming one of the most recognizable athletes in all of sports. Not many fans or pundits gave Canadian Alexis Davis a chance when she fought Rousey at UFC 175, but nobody expected “Rowdy” to be quite as dominant as she was.
Read full story
Struggles mount for UFC in Canadian market (Jul. 14)
As mentioned in the intro, 2014 was a rough year for the UFC and its fans, especially those in Canada. In addition to the likes of GSP and Grant being out of commission, the UFC cancelled a pair of events that were scheduled to be hosted by Canadian cities. In January, the organization announced five events would take place in Canada, but only ended having three north of the border.
Read full story
Rivalry between Jones, Cormier boils over (Aug. 6)
Jon Jones is one of the faces of the UFC and regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist on the planet, while Daniel Cormier is a former Olympian, unbeaten in MMA and viewed as one of the classiest professionals in the sport. However, none of that was evident when the two rivals met face to face (literally) at a press event in Las Vegas. They will settle their differences in the cage at UFC 182 on Jan. 3. Watch their epic confrontation in all its embarrassing, unprofessional glory below.
Read full story
Sidney Crosby reached out to UFC star TJ Grant (Aug. 14)
While the absence of GSP was one of the biggest storylines of the year, he wasn’t the only Canadian star watching from the sidelines. TJ Grant of Cole Harbour, N.S. hasn’t competed since he knocked out Gray Maynard at UFC 160 and earned a lightweight title shot on May 25, 2013. Grant was inactive all of 2014 as he deals with post-concussion syndrome. NHL superstar Sidney Crosby, who has a history of dealing with concussion symptoms and also hails from Cole Harbour, gave Grant some advice and support.
Read full story
UFC consumption habits changing (Sept. 14)
In 2014, fans were introduced to UFC Fight Pass, an online subscription service and it led to more fights, events and arguably some watered down headliners. But as the UFC continues to expand its global reach, its North American audience is refusing to roll with the punches.
Read full story
Why Georges St-Pierre shouldn’t pursue comeback (Oct. 20)
By far the biggest storyline in the UFC this year was the absence of its biggest star. Since stepping away from the sport and vacating his welterweight title following his UFC 167 split decision win over Johny Hendricks last November, GSP has been peppered with questions regarding his future in fighting. Whether it was discussing his views on drug testing, admitting he lacked motivation against Hendricks, or feuding with top UFC brass, the Canadian stayed in the spotlight despite not throwing a single punch because, at the end of the day, fans want to see him compete. As we head into 2015, we still don’t know if we’ll ever see the superstar compete inside the Octagon ever again.
Read the full story
