With 2019 in the books, it is time to look back at the year and ask: What was the fight of the year?
What was the fight of the year?
Frank Hyden MMATorch Columnist
Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236. It was a tightly contested 5 round affair where Adesanya won the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Both men fought hard but Adesanya was just a little better. It was a roller coaster of a fight and a fitting choice for Fight of the Year.
Michael Hiscoe MMATorch Columnist
Pedro Munhoz and Cody Garbrandt opened up UFC 235 with a one round fire fight that may go down as the moment MMA fans realized Garbrandt had lost his championship form. “No Love” was criticized for engaging in such a brawl with Munhoz, but it made for, in my opinion, the most entertaining fight of 2019.
Dylan Thompson MMATorck UK Specialist
Kevin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya has to be fight of the year for me, both fighters put on an absolute showcase of skill, talent and toughness. First round Gastelum seemed to be winning the striking battle with the highly decorated kickboxer. Second round Adesanya dropped Gastelum and also managed to land a massive back elbow. Third round and Gastelum didn’t seem phased by Adesanya and stood trading blows in the pocket with him. Round four and Adesanya got rocked by a huge head kick. Round five saw Adesanya drop Gastelum and unleash a savage ground-and-pound. Adesanya won by unanimous decision and was well deserved after an all out war.
Robert Vallejos MMATorch Managing Editor
While Gastelum vs. Adesanya is the obvious choice, I do think that Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 241 had the most drama of any fight this year. Given the way that their first fight went, and how aggressive Cormier was to start their second fight, the comeback by Miocic was the stuff of legend. I really hope we get part three in 2020.
The story of Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum | ESPN MMA
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