For over 5 years, (6th anniversary on 2/25) BloodyKnux.com has been host to MMA discussion, news, opinion, and relatively unrestricted chatter. It’s been a shelter for those bumped from other more “civilized” forums, and home to a core group of die-hard MMA fanatics. In 2010 we saw many of the sports highs and lows, had fighters dominate and be dethroned, and had promotions prosper and fail. In sport that draws opinions just as extreme as the action, BK prides itself in hosting some of the best and often most entertaining discussion available on the net. This year we’ve asked our local characters to share their opinions on the “Best” of 2010.
Best Knock Out of the Year
For knockout of the year we had a lot of tough contenders. Robbie Lawler made a couple of good arguments that he should get the nod, and Shogun certainly made a statement to win the UFC LHW belt decisively. Over in Japan, we have yet to see if Aoki will return to fighting after his embarrassment by Nagashima, but it was the tribute to Rampage Jackson put on by Gerald Harris that edges out the competition this year. Gerald Harris put away David Branch with a slam that made headlines and locks up the BK KO of the year.
Submission of the Year
Sometimes you judge a move in a fight by how original it is like the Pettis kick, or how technically brilliant it is as in Bocek vs Hazelett. Sometimes you have to weigh how it impacted the sport. Fabicio Werdum didn’t do anything special in the ring against his opponent. That opponent was what was special, and to do anything successfully against Fedor Emilianenko is special. What was supposed to be another quality notch in the belt of the Last Emporer became the biggest thing to ever happen in the career of Werdum and maybe the biggest upset of 2010.
RandJob- “Gotta give it to Werdum, kinda feel bad because some of these others were way cooler to watch but let's be real, he subbed Fedor. Game Over
Best Event of 2010
Hands down, BK felt the year ended with a bang at WEC 53. The award is certainly bitter-sweet as the WEC closed up shop to be shoe horned into its elder sibling, the UFC. Having the fight of the year, and the kick of the century helps burn an event in your mind, but add to that incredible performances by Donald Cerrone and Dominick Cruz, and under card packed with the best the WEC had to offer and it was a night fight fans will never forget from a promotion everyone will miss.
Best Fight of 2010
Henderson versus Pettis at WEC 53
Whether it was the closest event to the end of the year, or the last WEC before the promotion was folded into the UFC, Ben Henderson and Anthony Pettis couldn’t have picked a better time to put on an incredible bout. Not counting the spectacular scene stolen from the Matrix, these guys fought their hearts out trying to earn a little place in MMA history as the last lightweight champ in an organization that will be fondly remembered in the hearts of MMA fans. Back and forth striking, crazy ground scrambles, escape from sure death subs, and odd back riding stalemates filled out a fight that was never predictable and constantly exciting. Add to that the most spectacular kick thrown in 2010 and you have a lock on fight of the year. An honorable mention goes to Santiago vs Misaki at SRC 14 with it’s spectacular come from behind victory for Jorge Santiago.
Fighter of the Year
Frankie Edgar takes home a hotly contested win as fighter of the year. Obviously the tiny dynamo made the world believe by defeating legendary champ B J Penn not once but twice. Before UFC 112, you couldn’t find a pundit in MMA who gave Edgar a chance against the dominant force at LW for almost a decade. Frankie’s domination of Penn in the second fight made it clear who was champ.
Runners up for Fighter of the Year were also dominant in their weight classes like Dominick Cruz and Jose Aldo, or were pulling in belts aplenty in both MMA and K1 with Alaistair Overeem. If Overeem runs the field in the Strikeforce HW GP, or if Cruz and Aldo have another year like 2010 we could see them back in the running in 2011.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this years selection, and feel free to post how wrong we were in the discussion thread. Your vitriol fuels our burning love of the greatest sport of all time.
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Jim "DC Books" Kirkland
