The were many incredible moments in the UFC in 2015 and with 2016 quickly approaching it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of the more memorable ones. Sportsnet staff writer Mike Johnston plus MMA contributors James Lynch and Paolo Go have been looking back at the year that was. Today they debate about the top storylines and best non-fighting moments.
Storyline of the year
JOHNSTON: Champions losing their belts
Jose Aldo, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, Chris Weidman and Anthony Pettis each lost their belts in one way or another in 2015. Back in January, if you had said none of those star champions would be still be champions by year’s end no one would have believed you. MMA is perhaps the most unpredictable sport out there and most divisions are ripe with parity. All the upsets and belts that changed hands were proof of this.
Honorable mention: The rise of Conor McGregor and fall of Ronda Rousey
LYNCH: PED busts in MMA
In an effort to toughen up its drug testing policy, the UFC hired Jeff Novitzky and many commissions have implemented USADA drug testing for their fighters. The results weren’t pretty as Anderson Silva, Gilbert Melendez, Mirko “Cro Cop” and Gleison Tibau all tested positive for various substances. Outside the UFC, you had notable fighters like Jon Fitch, Mike Richman and Alexander Shlemenko test positive as well. If this past year in MMA has taught us anything, it’s that now fans, fighters and pundits now have to question any fighter that steps into the cage.
Honorable mention: The UFC/Rebook deal
GO: Jon Jones’ fall from grace
This story kicked off 2015 with a deafening bang. Jones fought and defeated heated rival Daniel Cormier in a hard-fought decision at the UFC’s first event of 2015. Days later, news broke of Jones’ positive test for cocaine. Months later, just three weeks from his title fight at UFC 187, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run car accident involving a pregnant woman. Jones eventually turned himself in and the UFC stripped him of his title and suspended indefinitely. As some form of twisted poetic justice, his arch-nemesis Cormier would step in his place and win the belt.
Honorable mention: The UFC/Rebook deal
Best non-fighting moment of the year
JOHNSTON: Mark Munoz’s retirement speech
The first time I met Mark Munoz was in Vancouver prior to his UFC 131 fight with Demian Maia. At the open workouts, as Munoz was explaining to me that when trying to land ground-and-pound strikes he imagines that he’s playing Whack-A-Mole, I thought to myself, ‘This guy is way too nice to be a fighter.’ Munoz is universally respected and one of the true gentlemen in MMA. In May, “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” dominated Luke Barnatt at the UFC’s first ever event in the Philippines. Following his win, Munoz announced his retirement and gave a beautiful, inspiring speech.
Honorable mention: Sinead O’Connor singing “The Foggy Dew” during Conor McGregor’s UFC 189 entrance
LYNCH: Conor McGregor “Red Panties” quote
Along with unifying the featherweight title at UFC 194, McGregor also provided one of the most entertaining quotes this year. At the UFC’s “Go Big” press conference, McGregor took aim at UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, mentioning a possible fight between the two. It was here where he coined the term “Red panty night.”
“I can make you rich” McGregor said to Dos Anjos. “I’ll change your bum life. When you sign to fight me, it’s a celebration. You ring back home, you ring your wife – baby, we’ve done it. We’re rich baby. Conor McGregor made us rich. Break out the red panties.”
GO: Robbie Lawler’s and Rory MacDonald’s iconic staredown
There is no way the UFC’s 2015 can be discussed without at least giving a nod to the classic bloodbath between Lawler and MacDonald. It was a back-and-forth fight that saw the intensity level ratchet up with each round. After the fourth round, a round that MacDonald won, Lawler stared straight into the Canadian’s eyes and Rory stared right back, unintimidated. They wouldn’t break the stare down even as referee John McCarthy came between them and everyone watching just caught a glimpse of one of the most iconic MMA images of 2015.
Honorable mention: UFC 194 fans serenade Holly Holm during Q&A session
