We saw some big fights come through in 2015. The UFC was the main beneficiary, but more importantly, we saw glimpses of the evolution of the sport, thanks to performances from fighters like Conor McGregor.
Let’s take a look at my top-5 fighters for 2015.
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MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman. She is a martial artist with over six years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, the proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland is proficient in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. Image courtesy Steve Bartlett
MMA Crossfire Vault – Cassie Wiseman’s top-5 fights of 2015
TOP-5 FIGHTERS OF 2015:
Uriah Hall after his win of Oluwale Bamgbose. Courtesy Josh Hedges, UFC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.
Fighting five (5) times this year, taking fights on short notice, finishing his opponents in videogame-type fashion, what’s not to love about Hall. From his TUF days to present day, he’s grown tremendously in his confidence and in his presence when he enters the octagon against anyone. Who saw him finish Gerard Mousasi with a spinning head kick? His activity and success over talented opponents earns him some deserved credit for 2015.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk celebrates after defeating Carla Esparza by TKO in their UFC women’s strawweight championship bout during the UFC 185 event at the American Airlines Center on March 14, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Like Conor McGregor, Jedrzejczyk doesn’t have a load of fights this year, nor even in her UFC career, but what she does have is dominance in every one of those few fights. She’s outclassed everyone her opponents with her striking. Speed and combinations that seem to go on for days. He opponents are forced to go on the defensive, but unable to block. No one can take her down and no one has a plan of anything as they are too busy trying to protect themselves from the flurry of strikes. She quite possibly has the best striking in the UFC period.
Donald Cerrone punches Eddie Alvarez in their lightweight fight during the UFC 178 event inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 27, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
He’s done it all except win a title, but no one can talk crap about Cerrone. He’s taken fights on a moments notice, improved over the years, is always entertaining, and his wild, carefree lifestyle makes him easy to be a fan of. For his win streak up until this championship loss, his love and passion for the sport, he earns the third spot.
Courtesy UFC/Zuffa LLC.
While he only fought three times, it wasn’t because he hasn’t challenged everyone in several weight classes to a match. He approached the business from a different stance and stood out because his actions backed up his words nearly 100% of the time. He has only come on the scene in the past two years, but now is known worldwide as one of the best P4P fighters in the UFC. Then, he beat an 10-year undefeated champion, and finished him in thirteen seconds. Truly someone setting a different tone and it’s impossible not to respect his approach to the game.
Neil Magny of the United States punches Kelvin Gastelum of the United States in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Arena Monterrey on November 21, 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Magny has been on a serious streak. From five (5) fights in 2014, all of which he won, to five (5) fights in 2015, he’s shown he will fight anyone at anytime to get to the top. He’s tied for most wins in a calendar year, two (2) Performance-of-the-Night bonuses, and one Fight-of-the-Night bonus, all while taking fights on short notice this year. Not only has he taken fights on short notice, but he has looked better in each fight, often coming off with the upset win. Magny has been active, entertaining, constantly improving, and displays all the skills of a true MMA fighter/future champion which is why he gets the stamp of Top-Fighter-of-the-Year.
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