2013 was an exciting year in the world of mixed martial arts. There were countless memorable moments and fights in the last 12 months. Looking back at this year in the sport, we at MMA Ratings are picking out particular moments from every month that stand out amongst them all.
The UFC and Bellator came strong in the second month of the year. Between the two MMA organizations there were seven shows. The UFC itself put on three title fights in the short month. February also saw the first full month of the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter with head coaches Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, a season that saw Uriah Hall rise to fame with spectacular finishes. With all the fighting that took place, here is a look back at the highlights of the month:
Fight of the Month: Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche, UFC 157
There were many fights that could have been the fight of the month. Dennis Bermudez vs. Matt Grice was a Fight of the Year contender based on pure excitement, Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar brought another solid title fight to the masses, and “Bigfoot” Silva survived to knock out Alistair Overeem in the final round of their fight. However, none of those fights will have the historical significance of Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche.
If it were just the first ever UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship bout then I may have gone with another fight, but Carmouche’s performance took the fight to another level.
For the first time we saw Rousey in legitimate trouble. Carmouche tried to submit her with a rear-naked choke that was on the chin, but Rousey’s grit and championship heart was on display. The fans gasped, the media gasped, but Rousey shook her off and eventually finished with her patented armbar.
The near world-shocking upset, the atmosphere of the evening, and the added bonus of being a historic moment for the sport elevates Rousey vs. Carmouche at UFC 157 to the Fight of the Month.
12. Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche: Ronda Rousey def. Liz Carmouche via submission (armbar) at 4:49 of Round 1.
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Knockout of the Month: Robbie Lawler Returns to Welterweight In Style
Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler, UFC 157
The knockout of the month also comes from UFC 157. Many would likely side with Bigfoot Silva’s comeback KO of Overeem, but I am using a bit of 20/20 hindsight to single out an important finish of the year.
Robbie Lawler made his return to the UFC after many years away. He was dropping back to the 170-pound division, and was up against a top-level fighter who posed a significant stylistic problem for him. Lawler delivered.
Late in the first round, he knocked Josh Koscheck senseless and nabbed a huge victory in his career, a win that now stands out as one of the most significant moments in the division for 2013. As we turn the calendar to 2014, we know Lawler will challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship. This was a thought no one had in February.
It was a great finish, but now with hindsight it marked an important event that set the stage for an improbable fighter comeback.
8. Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler: Robbie Lawler def. Josh Koscheck via TKO (punches) at 3:57 of Round 1.
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Submission of the Month: Renan Barao Retains Interim Gold
Renan Barão vs. Michael McDonald, UFC on Fuel TV 7
The interim bantamweight title was on the line at UFC on Fuel TV 7, and Renan Barão came through with an excellent finish to make people believe he was the true #1 of the division, even including the injured Dominick Cruz.
Michael McDonald got his shot at gold, and he performed admirably. Barão is just a different animal. He made the necessary adjustments, and eventually used his stellar skills to submit McDonald with an arm-triangle choke in the fourth round.
Due to the fight being on Fuel, not many got to see it, but you will see it on Barão highlights from this point moving forward.
12. Renan Barão vs. Michael McDonald (UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship): Renan Barao def. Michael McDonald via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:57 of Round 4.
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Upset of the Month: Emanuel Newton Shocks King Mo
Muhammed Lawal vs. Emanuel Newton, Bellator 90
Bellator 90 was the stage for the light heavyweight semi-finals, and Bellator put King Mo in the best possible situation to advance to the final. It was clear they had plans for him to be champion.
Emanuel Newton had other plans.
It wasn’t a pretty fight, but it was what Newton needed. And with a stunning spinning back fist, he put King Mo away. The finish had fans flipping the channel to Spike just to see the replay, as the result reverberated through social media.
It wouldn’t be the only time Newton altered the plans for a King Mo championship.
• Muhammed Lawal vs. Emanuel Newton – LHW Tournament semifinal: Emanuel Newton def. Muhammed Lawal via KO (spinning back fist) at 2:35 of Round 1.
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After January set the tone for the year, February drove home the point. 2013 would be an amazingly busy year of MMA fighting. Everyone was inundated with fisticuffs almost on a weekly basis in some form or another. And there was so much more yet to come.
Do you agree with these choices for February 2013? Rate these fights and others, and be sure to make your voice heard, so that your favorite fights can be considered for the 2013 Fans’ Choice Awards.
