What is your favorite fight and favorite MMA event of all time?
MICHAEL HISCOE, MMATorch contributor
My favorite event of all time is UFC 153 from Brazil. It was one of those shows that was completely blown up by injuries but came together to be a really fun show. I liked it because it only existed to be a fun show as none of the key fights carried much divisional or championship weight, but there was a lot of personal pride on the line. The main event was Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar, a complete mismatch at the time, or any time. In many ways this was the last great Anderson Silva performance where he got to be the Anderson Silva we love. Silva standing with his back to the cage and his hands down allowing Bonnar to unload on him and taking a moment to tell his corner to calm down while in the clinch are great Silva moments that will never be replicated. It all ended with one of Silva’s signature paralyzing knees. It was the last we saw of Stephan Bonnar in the UFC and was the last we saw of the old Anderson Silva.
UFC 153 also saw Big Nog tap out Dave Herman after Herman claimed in interviews that Jiu Jitsu didn’t work on him. There was a great moment on the show of Anderson Silva showing an emotional reaction to seeing his friend win while backstage preparing for his fight. Glover Teixeira beat Fabio Maldonado in a fight that helped Maldonado earn a lot of respect for the amount of punishment he took while still fighting back. Even Jon Fitch had a good fight, that’s how good this show was. Fitch beat Erick Silva by decision in a fight that saw him fighting for his job in UFC and he survived some submission attempts that seemed impossible to get out of. All in all, probably the best UFC show I’ve ever seen.
ADAM TINDAL, MMATorch contributor
My favorite event and fight of all time has to be without a doubt UFC 196 and when Diaz blew my mind with the upset over McGregor. I am quite possibly the biggest Nate Diaz fan, and Nick for that matter. I mean, I did name my son after Nate. Urijah Faber as well, but that’s neither here nor there. I’ll admit however I was a bit nervous for young Nathan that night, so when the fight actually started the anxiety I was experiencing was clearly stamped across my forehead. As the bout progressed I found myself jumping on and off the tables and yelling at the TV. Once Nate locked on that submission I lost it and jumped on the table yelling “Stockton 209” smack dab in the middle of the 407. After that night I think it’s safe to say that I’m no longer welcome at the Graffiti Junktion in downtown Orlando.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor
My favorite fight of all-time is Forrest Griffin vs. Stephen Bonnar from The Ultimate Fighter Finale. That’s the fight that really jumpstarted the UFC and made it into a big deal. There’s plenty of great MMA stuff before and after this fight, but this fight brought so much attention to the sport that it’s hard to deny its place as one of the most important moments in MMA history. My favorite event would probably by UFC 100, mainly because of how stacked that card was. You had Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir, Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves, and Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson. You even had Jon Jones, Mark Coleman, and Stephen Bonnar fighting on the undercard. It was the biggest MMA card of all-time until just recently, when UFC 202 broke it’s buyrate record. It stood the test of time for years and it’s a card I look back at fondly.
MICHAEL GROCKE, MMATorch contributor
Favorite Fight: Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – UFC 139. An unbelievable display of heart from both men. Favorite MMA event: UFC 52. This show featured two of my all-time favorite fighters, Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes.
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