2012 was an interesting year for mixed martial arts. Sometimes the action in the cage was overshadowed by injuries or talk of super-fights.
At the end of the day, though, the last 12 months proved that MMA is the most unpredictable sport out there and regardless whether the athletes are male or female, UFC champions or rising prospects, in the big leagues or on the local circuit, a great fight can steal the spotlight and have fans buzzing.
With that in mind, here are the top 12 fights of 2012:
1. Joe Lauzon vs. Jim Miller, UFC 155
It’s only fitting that UFC 155 featured a dynamic fight in the 155-pound division — the deepest division in the sport. Fan favourites Lauzon and Miller went toe-to-toe for 15 minutes and had the UFC brass and fans in attendance on their feet after each round. Miller blitzed Lauzon from the beginning, landing punches and elbows that cut open Lauzon.
Despite looking like a scene from the movie Carrie, Lauzon kept coming and even though he didn’t do the same amount of damage as Miller, it was competitive throughout. Lauzon, always a threat to submit his opponent, attempted several leg locks, including a brilliant heel hook attempt and a guillotine in the dying seconds of the fight in which Miller won a unanimous decision.
This bout, which came just two days before the end of 2012, showed why Miller and Lauzon are so highly respected by their peers and fans.
In addition to how thoroughly entertaining this fight was, it was a history making outing for both men as well. Lauzon tied Anderson Silva’s record for most UFC bonuses, as this title won him yet another Fight of the Night award. Meanwhile, Miller became the winningest lightweight in UFC history.
2. Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier, UFC on FUEL TV 3
In 2010 Chan Sung Jung, better known as The Korean Zombie, was part of the consensus Fight of the Year when he took on Leonard Garcia at WEC 48. That was a sloppy brawl that had fans on their feet. Jung again finds himself at or near the top of many Fight of the Year lists in 2012, but there was no sloppy brawling this time.
We saw the complete MMA arsenal from the Korean Zombie — striking combinations, submission attempts and sweeps — as he established himself as a top contender in the featherweight division, beating Dustin Poirier in May.
Jung was on the right side of the majority of significant exchanges in the fight, but if it weren’t for Poirier’s heart, excellent technique and ability to get out of trouble multiple times, this may not have been such a memorable matchup. To cap things off, Jung choked Poirier unconscious with a d’arce choke, which happens to be Poirier’s go-to submission.
3. Jamie Varner vs. Joe Lauzon, UFC on FOX 4
Heading into the event this fight was overshadowed by two high profile light-heavyweight matchups, but by the end of the night everyone was talking about Lauzon and Varner. The former WEC champ dropped the TUF 5 veteran twice in the first round and the two traded excellent punching combos throughout the fight. In the third round Varner, who took the fight on short notice, shot for a takedown but Lauzon used a fantastic sweep to transition into one of the best triangle chokes ever seen in the Octagon.
4. Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson, UFC 144
Henderson became the new king of the lightweight division as he beat up Frankie Edgar for the majority of their first 25-minute bout. Though Edgar had moments where he effectively used his footwork and striking, Bendo was the one landing damaging blows and winning the grappling exchanges.
5. Julie Kedzie vs. Miesha Tate, Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman
Not only was this women’s MMA at its best, it was simply MMA at its best. Both women had their moments in this one. Kedzie came out with a strong striking attack and was getting the better of Tate. When the two went to the ground it was fun to watch with both athletes defending and transitioning well. In the third round, Kedzie dropped Tate with a huge head kick but as she followed up with ground-and-pound Tate locked in an armbar. Kedzie fought it off for as long as she could, but Tate adjusted and forced the tap.
6. Donald Cerrone vs. Melvin Guillard, UFC 150
For a fight that only lasted 76 seconds it had a lot going for it. Two popular lightweight contenders who are close friends that don’t mind punching one another put on a show for the Denver crowd. Guillard dropped Cerrone early with a crisp counter left then followed up with an aggressive attack. Guillard had Cerrone on the ropes so to speak, but Cerrone landed a head kick that wobbled Guillard and landed one punch to turn out the lights.
7. Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit, UFC 154
In GSP’s long-awaited return to action the Canadian exceed all expectations in front of his home crowd in Montreal. St-Pierre put on arguably the best performance of his career and bounced back from being knocked down with a head kick in the third round. The atmosphere in the Bell Centre was electric as GSP and Condit battled for 25 minutes. This was mixed martial arts at its highest level.
8. Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall, UFC on FX 2
It was the first flyweight fight in UFC history and it showed what the 125-pound division is all about. Quick, crisp, technical striking and grappling, incredible pace and footwork, fan friendly action and a controversial decision that ended in a majority draw. What’s not to love?
9. Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC 155
In their highly anticipated rematch, JDS and Cain didn’t disappoint, especially Cain who was as good as we’ve ever seen him. Velasquez was more aggressive and in the first round landed a massive right hand that rocked JDS and changed the fight completely. Velasquez showed championship determination to earn back the title he lost nearly 14 months prior and JDS displayed a championship heart (and chin!) to stay in there for 25 minutes.
10. Martin Kampmann vs. Thiago Alves, UFC on FX 2
This fight was full of momentum shifts. Kampmann rocked Alves early with a front kick, but the Brazilian recovered and took control of the fight. Late in round three Alves rocked Kampmann and had him in trouble, but made a mistake and shot for a takedown. Kampmann locked up a guillotine and wound up in mount where he forced a tap from Alves.
11. Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page, UFC on FUEL 2
This was a WEC classic that happened to take place in the UFC. These two veterans of the defunct promotion put on a show in Sweden with both landing huge strikes and takedowns. Ultimately it was Pickett that imposed his will and showed his superior ground game, submitting Page with a rear-naked choke.
12. Forrest Petz vs. Sergej Juskevic, SFS 4
Sometimes technique is overrated and fans just want to see a dynamic brawl. And on March 16 at Score Fighting Series 4 in Hamilton, Ont., UFC veteran Forrest Petz and Toronto’s Sergej Juskevic participated in just that.
After rocking Petz early, Juskevic followed up with a flurry of punches and knees but Petz showed a good chin and survived. Late in the first round Petz began landing his own powerful shots. Early in the second, it was Petz’ turn for some offence as he rocked Juskevic and nearly had him finished. After the two men exchanged haymakers, Petz eventually forced the TKO stoppage at 3:25 of the second round in one of the best fights in SFS history.
Take a look at this wild action:
Honourable mention: Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller, Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva, Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera, Nick Denis vs. Roland Delorme, Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis, Jake Ellenberger vs. Diego Sanchez, Eddie Wineland vs. Scott Jorgensen, Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares, Lloyd Woodard vs. Patricky Freire, Igor Pokrajac vs. Fabio Maldonado, Bryan Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon, TJ Grant vs. Evan Dunham
Before we ring in the New Year, we will also present the top 12 knockouts and top 12 submissions.
