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Jake’s Takes – Top Moments of the Year

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2021 has been a crazy year for MMA. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the world’s top promotions have put on the best fights possible. Today, I’m going to look at the very best moments of 2021. This includes naming my ‘Fight of The Year’ and ‘Fighter of The Year’.

Without any further ado, here are Jake’s Takes for Top Moments of The Year!

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Male Fighter of the Year

Kamaru Usman

Establishing himself as the pound-for-pound best in the world, 2021 was the year of Kamaru Usman. With three successful title defenses, including two stoppages, the champion has proven that he is the cream of the crop at 170lbs. Though it won’t be an easy task, we could easily see ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ as the top candidate for this category once again in 2022.

Female Fighter of the Year

Rose Namajunas

Regaining the title that you once held and defending it successfully is no easy task. That’s what we saw Rose Namajunas do in 2021, which is why she is the winner of this category. The strawweight queen twice fought Zhang Weili, showing both her skill and grit in both outings. The 115lb division will be coming for her head in 2022, so ‘Thug‘ Rose will have to be on her A game.

Male Prospect of the Year

Mateusz Gamrot

Picking up three stoppage wins and breaking into the top-15 put Mateusz Gamrot on top of our prospect list. The former KSW double-champion narrowly dropped his UFC debut in 2020, but has gone on to prove he is an absolute nightmare for anyone at 155lbs. Keep your eyes glued to this Polish sensation and expect to see his name in title discussions in the coming years.

Female Prospect of the Year

Casey O’Neill

Since her promotional debut, Scotland’s Casey O’Neill has drawn the eyes of fans. This is because of her exciting style and dangerous skillset, which has brought her three stoppage wins in 2021. Now sat at #15 at flyweight, this 24 year old prospect could very easily be in title contention by next year.

Rising Star of the Year

Paddy Pimblett

In only one fight, Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett has become one of MMA’s biggest stars. The former Cage Warriors champion made a splash at 155lbs, taking out Luigi Vendramini by knockout. The loud-mouthed Scouser has made friends and enemies during his short UFC career, but one thing is for sure: the eyes will be on this bright 26 year old coming into 2022.

Fight of the Year

Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler – UFC 268

Words really cannot encapsulate the absolute madness that Gaethje vs Chandler was. This fight is truly one of the rare times that a fight lives up to and surpasses the hype. Dramatic momentum swings and caution thrown to the wind. If you haven’t seen this fight, please do it now. Please.

Knockout of The Year

Jiri Prochazka vs Dominick Reyes – UFC Vegas 25

Blasting his way into title contention with a brutal KO, Jiri Prochazka produced an absolute stunner back in May. In a crazy fight, the Czech native landed a killer spinning-elbow that left Dominick Reyes unconscious. There were plenty of other worthy contenders in this category, but this one is just about as violent as it gets. Truly one of the scarier knockouts we have all seen in recent times.

Submission of the Year

Anthony Hernandez vs Rodolfo Vieira – UFC 258

At +3000 odds, Anthony ‘Fluffy‘ Hernandez didn’t seem to have a chance on the ground against the dangerous Rodolfo Vieira. Despite this, Hernandez submitted the former BJJ champion Vieira with a guillotine to shock the world. Though it may not have been the most high-profile bout, this one takes the cake for submission of the year.

Round of the Year

Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega (Round 3) – UFC 266

With the featherweight title on the line, Brian Ortega almost became the champion. The only thing stopping him was the grit and determination of Alexander Volkanovski. Despite two extremely tight submissions, the Aussie Volkanovski rallied back at the end of round, reigning heavy shots and leaving Ortega battered. If this doesn’t give you goosebumps, nothing will.

Upset of the Year

Julianna Pena vs Amanda Nunes – UFC 269

As a -1100 favourite, it looked like Amanda Nunes showed up to UFC 269 to slaughter a sacrificial lamb. Unfortunately for Nunes, the so-called lamb turned out to be ‘The Venezeulan Vixen‘, Julianna Pena. In one of the biggest upsets in all of sports, Pena was able to tire Nunes out, land heavy shots and tap her out in the second round. A rematch favours Nunes to avenge her loss, but no one can take this win away from Pena.

Comeback of the Year

Merab Dvalishvili vs Marlon Moraes – UFC 266

Marlon Moraes seemed to be on the fast track to a first-round TKO win at UFC 266. The Brazilian dropped his opponent, Merab Dvalishvili, multiple times and the end looked near. Making it into the second round, Dvalishvili took advantage of the fatigued Moraes to bring the fight with the mat. Referee Keith Peterson mercifully ended the fight after almost 100 unanswered punches from the Georgian, in one of the most shocking moments of 2021.

Feel-Good Moment of the Year

Brandon Moreno captures the title – UFC 263

Though many deserving title wins – like Charles Oliveira and Glover Teixeira – could’ve taken this spot, the one that truly warmed our hearts came at UFC 263. The soft-spoken, LEGO-collecting contender Brandon Moreno finally broke through to become a champion. He became the first ever Mexican-born champion in the process, which prompted murals of him to be drawn around the country. The emotion he shares after the win is enough to bring any fan to tears.

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Those were Jake’s Takes for the Top Moments of 2021! We hope you all enjoyed. Let us know your picks for these categories in the comments section!

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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