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 MMARatings.net are picking out particular moments from every month that stand out amongst them all.
Fight of the Month: Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson, UFC 165
My pick for Fight of the Month in September 2013 is undoubtedly the epic five-round light heavyweight title bout at UFC 165 between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafssson. I will admit that I’m a bit biased because I saw this fight live in person, but as someone who watches MMA for a living, I have to tell you it was an absolute treat to watch Jones and Gustafsson throw down for five rounds, and in my mind, this is one of the greatest mixed martial arts fights of all time.
Jones entered the fight as a huge favorite, and everyone, including myself, expected him to wipe the floor with Gustafsson. But after three rounds, it was the challenger who was up on the cards. In the fourth, Gustafsson looked to be taking over the fight, but a spinning back elbow by Jones turned the tide, and he was able to win the fourth and fifth rounds and take a close decision on the cards.
This was such a great fight, and in 2014 it’s possible we’ll get to see the rematch – a rematch that might be even better than the first fight. If that’s even possible.
• Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
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Knockout of the Month: Douglas Lima vs. Ben Saunders, Bellator 100
My pick for Knockout of the Month in September 2013 took place in the main event of Bellator 100. Namely, the fight between Douglas Lima and Ben Saunders.
Lima and Saunders were teammates at American Top Team, but after both of them made it to the finals of the Bellator welterweight tourney, they had to fight each other in the cage. It was actually the second time they had met in the finals, with Lima defeating Saunders in a Bellator tournament in winter 2011. But as the two best welterweights in Bellator outside of Ben Askren, they took on each other once again.
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| GIF courtesy of @ZProphet_MMA |
Lima needed until the third round to finish Saunders in their first fight, but in the rematch he only needed two, as he absolutely beat up Saunders’ eye sockets so bad that when the highlight-reel head kick KO came late in round two, viewers almost felt happy that it was over.
It was a huge win for Lima, and now that Askren is out of Bellator, he will get the chance to win the vacant title when he takes on Rick Hawn in 2014.
• Douglas Lima vs. Ben Saunders – Season 8 WW tournament final: Douglas Lima def. Ben Saunders via knockout (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 2.
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Submission of the Month: Justin Wilcox vs. Akop Stepanyan, Bellator 99
The Submission of the Month for September 2013 also took place in Bellator, in my opinion, and the finish I’m talking about is Justin Wilcox’s rear-naked choke stoppage of Akop Stepanyan at Bellator 99. Although Stepanyan had beat down Wilcox in the standup for nearly two whole rounds, he made a huge mistake in round two, had his back taken, and was choked out by Wilcox in shocking fashion.
Although Wilcox lost to Patricio Pitbull in the finals, he proved with this win that he is an awesome featherweight talent, and definitely someone to look out for in the next Bellator 145-pound tourney.
• Justin Wilcox vs. Akop Stepanyan – Season 9 FW Tournament Opening Round: Justin Wilcox def. Akop Stepanyan via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:20 of Round 2.
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Comeback of the Month: Piotr Hallmann vs. Francisco Trinaldo, UFC Fight Night 28
For comeback of the month of September 2013, I’m going with Piotr Hallmann’s stunning kimura finish on Francisco Trinaldo in a lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night 28. Trinaldo was skyrocketing up the lightweight ranks after his tenure on TUF Brazil 1, and after one round against Hallmann he was way up on the cards and clearly on his way to another victory. His vicious leg kicks to the stomach and legs of Hallmann left the Pole Hallmann in dire straits.
Unfortunately for Trinaldo, though, his gas tank let him down, as he started to fade badly in the second, and was eventually taken down the ground by Hallmann and subbed out with a kimura. A shocking finish, really, and one that not many expected, as Trinaldo entered the fight as a huge favorite.
It will be interesting to see Hallmann moving forward in the UFC lightweight division because, with his combination of heart and submission prowess, he certainly has the chance to emerge as a contender. As for Trinaldo, he’s still an awesome fighter, but it’s clear that he’s flawed.
• Piotr Hallmann vs. Francisco Trinaldo: Piotr Hallmann def. Francisco Trinaldo via submission (kimura) at 3:50 of Round 2.
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Do you agree with these choices for September 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.
