UFC/MMA ‘Fights of the Yr’ 2022 – High 5 Checklist

With every passing 12 months, the requirements for actually memorable fights get larger. Fights should not solely stand on their very own deserves, however show themselves worthy of consideration amongst a large, consistently rising library of classics.

Regardless of these lofty necessities, a handful of this 12 months’s tussles have been as much as the duty. Listed here are MMA Mania’s Fights of the Yr for 2022.

5. Nate Landwehr vs. David Onama

As a lot as I recognize high-level approach and strong gameplans, generally it’s important to simply sit again and revel in two folks beating absolutely the tar out of one another.

The struggle initially seemed like it will observe the plain script: Onama, the bodily specimen, obliterating Landwehr earlier than “The Prepare” might get his signature attrition going. He had Landwehr useless to rights early, however the latter’s indomitable will allowed him to claw his approach again in and brutalize an more and more exhausted Onama.

Landwehr seemingly might have ridden out the third spherical on prime, however as an alternative elected to let Onama again to his toes, the place Landwehr continued to pour on the harm. Onama by some means dredged simply sufficient out of his empty fuel tank for a last-second rally that in the end got here up quick however gave the battle an appropriately dramatic conclusion.

Landwehr’s emerged as one of the constantly entertaining fighters on the roster after a disastrous UFC begin, and I can’t wait to look at him sacrifice extra mind cells for our amusement.

4. Mateusz Gamrot vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Fights between prime grapplers are inclined to observe considered one of two scripts: both one has sufficient of a wrestling benefit to neutralize the opposite or they simply elect to strike.

Not the case right here. Mateusz Gamrot and Arman Tsarukyan mixed for 29 takedown makes an attempt over 25 minutes in an unbelievable show of wrestling talent, scrambling capability, and cardio.

Tsarukyan managed the primary two rounds together with his efficient, versatile kickboxing, which seemed a step above Gamrot’s powerful-but-limited boxing. Quickly, nevertheless, attrition started to take its toll as Gamrot ramped up his barrage of takedowns. Although he nonetheless proved unable to carry Tsarukyan down, it was sufficient to show the tide.

Tsarukyan quickly turned it proper again with a clutch spinning again fist, however Gamrot was to not be denied. With the relentlessness to match his expertise, “Gamer” in the end eked out a call in 2022’s finest grappling match.

3. Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland

It could not have labored out for him, however bless Kevin Holland for deciding to strike. After watching Stephen Thompson get grappled again and again, it was good to see “Wonderboy” again in full swing towards a prepared dance associate.

And what a dance it was. The pair mixed for practically 500 strike makes an attempt within the span of 4 rounds, and all however 22 have been important.

The larger, youthful Holland initially managed the motion, buckling Thompson with a nasty proper hand and by no means letting him discover a correct putting groove. It wasn’t to final, as Thompson quickly bought his approach into gear and unleashed the wicked-fast kicks and harsh punching flurries which have lengthy been his trademark.

Issues went from unhealthy to worse for Holland when he suffered a hand damage, however to his credit score, he by no means stopped making an attempt to struggle again. At the same time as Thompson outlanded him four-to-one within the fourth, he refused to go down, solely bowing out on the behest of his nook.

Nothing however respect.

2. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns

Each males entered this matchup with quite a bit to show. For Khamzat Chimaev, this was an opportunity to point out that his heretofore unstoppable assault would work towards an elite Welterweight. For Gilbert Burns, it was a shot at redemption after falling aside towards Kamaru Usman.

To start with, it seemed as if Chimaev was extra as much as the duty. His wrestling and prime management proved efficient regardless of Burns’ jiu-jitsu pedigree, and a heavy knockdown late within the first appeared like the start of the tip for “Durinho.”

If there have been any considerations about Burns’ coronary heart, although, he addressed them spectacularly, touchdown a staggering 56 power-punches with 62% accuracy within the second spherical. He answered the knockdown with considered one of his personal and appeared to be in a superb place to take the third spherical.

Chimaev, in flip, proved his personal dedication. Together with his takedowns now not producing outcomes, he stalked Burns from bell to bell and unleashed practically 100 important strikes within the course of. Burns responded with bomb after bomb after bomb, however Chimaev’s aggression and sturdiness carried him to the hardest victory of his profession.

Chimaev could have finished some downright silly issues recently, however he’ll at all times have that conflict.

1. Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira

Was there ever any doubt? The best Mild Heavyweight title struggle of all time, a jaw-dropping conflict of coronary heart, approach, and can with extra twists and turns than three Stephen King novels put collectively.

Prochazka’s all-action, semi-improvisational putting and Teixeira’s mixture of elite grappling and brutal power-punching promised a scrap for the ages, and that was precisely what we bought. The primary three rounds have been a whirlwind of offense; any protracted standup trade noticed Prochazka’s avalanche of offense seemingly put Teixeira on the ropes, just for the Brazilian to pull Prochazka to the mat and pound away till Prochazka by some means slipped out from beneath it and the method started once more.

As soon as they hit the championship rounds, nevertheless, Teixeira’s expertise in deep waters started to point out itself. Prochazka’s countless engine seemed to lastly be giving out, and Teixeira practically put him away within the opening seconds of the fifth with some vicious punches. His choice to go for a guillotine backfired, nevertheless, and Prochazka weathered the storm till the chance arose to slap on a no-hooks RNC and hand the storied black belt the primary submission lack of his MMA profession.

From violence to drama to approach, this was every little thing you would probably need out of a fundamental occasion, and it greater than deserves its spot atop this 12 months’s record.

Honorable Mentions:

Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler
Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 3
Matt Schnell vs. Sumudaerji
Matt Brown vs. Bryan Barberena
Mike Trizano vs. Seung Woo Choi

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