The Top Ten MMA Fights of 2010
By: Alex Mattis
10. Nick Diaz Vs. KJ Noons: Strikeforce: Diaz Vs. Noons II – 10/9
Diaz-Noons II was the most anticipated title fight of Strikeforce’s short history, and it certainly delivered. What this rematch justly served as was a display of how technique in MMA striking continues to evolve. Diaz and Noons fought an excellent standing battle for 25 minutes, with the 209 gaining the gold in the end. This fight may not serve as a staple in the sport history, but it was an interesting and exciting one to watch.
9. Diego Sanchez Vs. Paulo Thiago: UFC 121 – 10/23
Two of the most intense welterweights in the world squared off at UFC 121 and things got real from the start. As soon as Sanchez hit the ring he began to spew his usual madness at Paulo Thiago; forcing Thiago’s corner to start screaming back in Portuguese. Right then and there… It. Was. ON! The first two rounds of the fight were a wild exchange of striking and scrambling. Nevertheless, in the final round Diego Sanchez completely drained Thiago’s will to fight. ‘The Nightmare’ returned to form as he battered Thiago until the final bell, securing a decision.
8. Antonio Silva Vs. Mike Kyle: Strikeforce: St. Louis – 12/4
Antonio Silva should be credited with having one of the best comebacks of 2010. Early in the fight, Silva was dropped with a hellacious right-hand that sounded like a baseball being hit out of the park. Mike Kyle attempted to finish Silva with an endless barrage of punches but ended up Carwin-ing himself. Silva sensed this and completely took over in the 2nd; coming back with strikes and nearly securing an Anaconda Choke. ‘Big Foot’ eventually gained the mounted position and rained down bombs with those PT Cruisers he calls fists. It wasn’t long before Kyle was out cold and the fight was over.
7. Leonard Garcia Vs. Chan Sung Jung: WEC 48 – 4/24
Technique and skill: they meant nothing in this fight. These two dudes got locked in a cage, started swinging and didn’t stop for 15 minutes. Not much more can be said about this fight that Joe Rogan didn’t shout during the live broadcast. This by no means of the most intelligent fight of the year, but man was it fun! The sketchy decision may be why this wasn’t ranked higher.
6. Carlos Condit Vs. Rory MacDonald: UFC 115 – 6/12
Further validating the notion that Carlos Condit is incapable of having a bad fight was this fantastic back-and-forth from Vancouver back in June. The young prospect, Rory MacDonald, gave the former champ, Condit, all he could handle. MacDonald won the first two round in a very clear manner, but the veteran was able to take back control in the 3rd. Condit had the superior conditioning of the two and used it to bring the fight to MacDonald. Condit unmercifully beat up MacDonald until the ref called it with only seven second left in the fight.
5. Evan Dunham Vs. Sean Sherk: UFC 119 – 9/25
This was the fight that was imperative for the quick rise of Evan Dunham to be authenticated. While Dunham dropped a split decision, it was made painfully oblivious he was for real. The veteran Sherk was able to use his powerful wrestling at points to work the fight to the mat, but Dunham was constantly threatening from all positions. Dunham hung with Sherk the entire time, despite Sherk being known for his superlative conditioning. Sherk weathered every submission attempt and solid strike of Dunham and never quit fighting his fight. Sherk was awarded the victory in a decision that is still being debated. Though, this fight was truly a win for all involved.
4. Ben Henderson Vs. Anthony Pettis: WEC 53 – 12/16
This is why we wait until the end of the year to make these lists! Ben Henderson and Anthony Pettis had the distinction of fighting in the last WEC fight in the history of time. There was a great deal of hype to live up to but, of course, they delivered. The fight was a wild give-and-take for the first four rounds, but Anthony Pettis took over in the fifth. While the scrap was a spectacular one, it will mostly be remembered for the legendary “Showtime Kick” Pettis threw in the closing stanza. These two sent out the WEC in the right way and gave us one of the best fights in the company’s history.
3. Yoshihiro Akiyama Vs. Chris Leben: UFC 116 – 7/3
When it was announced that Christ Leben was filling in for Wanderlei Silva to fight Yoshihiro Akiyama, the bar of expectation was set at an unprecedented height. The level of expectation was shattered as these two delivered one of the most exciting fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The second round of the bout was non-stop action that featured Chris Leben being Chris Leben: getting tagged with a ridiculous shot and immediately pressing forward.
Everyone expected a great fight, yes? Yes. Anyone see Leben submitting Sexyama with a triangle? If you said yes, you may have a problem with the truth. The ‘HUH?!’ aspect of the fight’s finish only added to the overall marvel.
2. Jorge Santiago Vs. Kazuo Misaki: Sengoku 14 – 8/22
The 2011 Webster’s Dictionary has been alter. When one looks up the word “war,” the definition will read: See also Santiago Vs. Misaki. This was an absolute battle between two MMA veterans. They matched each other blow for blow, hold for hold, will for will. It’s one of those fights you felt inspired by when watching. One that makes you remember how great this sport really is. The mêlée went almost the entire distance, but with 30 seconds left in the title fight Misaki’s corner threw in the town. This gave the fight the dramatic finish it needed to gain a “legendary” status; to be forged as an all-time classic. The JMMA Bushido spirit had never been more ample than it was in this clash.
1. Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen: UFC 117 – 8/7
So badly, I wanted to be different. So badly, I wanted to be ‘that guy’ and go against the grain and not give this fight the top spot… I just couldn’t. Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen was the most exciting and engaging MMA fight of 2010.
No matter who you were pulling for, you experienced every nearly every emotion. There was elation, defeat, anger, shock, sadness, astonishment, all caused by the hair-pulling, eye-rubbing moments of this middleweight title fight.
From Sonnen dropping the champion at the opening of the bout to the wild exchange at the beginning of the fourth to, of course, the greatest comeback victory in MMA history… there is no way I could not put this at #1. Yes, the fight has been tarnished by the fall out with Sonnen-gate and all that gobbledygook. However, watching this fight live was an unbelievable experience and was topped by no other fight in 2010.
Chael Sonnen Vs. Anderson Silva: The 2010 MMA Fight of the Year
Honorable Mentions:
Mirko Cro Cop Vs. Pat Barry (UFC 115 – 6/12), Nick Diaz Vs. Marius Zaromskis (Strikeforce: Miami – 1/30), Kendall Grove Vs. Mark Munoz (UFC 112 – 4/10), Stephan Bonnar Vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (UFC 116 – 7/3), Brock Lesnar Vs. Shane Carwin (UFC 116 – 7/3), Chris Lytle Vs. Matt Serra (UFC 119 – 9/25), Mark Hominick Vs. Yves Jabouin (WEC 49 – 6/20).
