The 13 most memorable UFC fights of 2016

2016 left us with some good fights despite some injuries to some key matchups in the final quarter.

Let’s take a look at the most memorable contests of the year.

Welcome back to The Crossfire.

MMA Crossfire Vault – The 8 most memorable Invicta FC fights of 2016

This is our top 13 fights of 2016, brought to you by Renaee’s Cakes.

In no particular order.

CUB SWANSON VS DOHOO CHOI – UFC 206

This was the UFC’s choice for “best” fight and was probably the “Rocky Balboa” fight of the year. Two guys going toe-to-toe and brining some excitement to a card that was lacking star power on paper. Toronto badly needed this fight.

DOMINICK CRUZ VS CODY GARBRANDT – UFC 207

An almost flawless performance by the challenger in Garbrandt and a valiant performance by the champion who was overmatched. This is Cody’s coming out party and he will have to change his nickname in 2017 to “All Love.”

TYRON WOODLEY VS STEPHEN THOMPSON – UFC 205

Who won this one? It was fascinating watching the styles of these two play out. Maybe we’ll see this one again in 2017.

MICHAEL BISPING VS DAN HENDERSON – UFC 204

A memorable end to the career of Hendo. Bisping faced the man who knocked him out famously at UFC 100 and overcame.

ROBERT WHITTAKER VS DEREK BRUNSON – UFC FIGHT NGHT 101

Perhaps the “fun” fight of 2016. We need more of these in 2017, two guys going for it and Brunson especially, throwing caution to the wind.

RYAN BADER VS ILIR LATIFI – UFC FIGHT NIGHT 93

https://twitter.com/punterslounge/status/772402557079556098

What a year for Bader. That knee was like a thud to all the criticism (justified) of his inability to finish opponents and the lay-and-pray wins. He was an exciting fighter in 2016, keep it going “Darth” in 2017.

AMANDA NUNES VS RONDA ROUSEY – UFC 207

https://twitter.com/SophiaHelwani/status/815079620391354368

This one is obviously still fresh, but it should remain memorable for some time, as it may be the last we see Rousey in the octagon for awhile.

MAX HOLLOWAY VS ANTHONY PETTIS – UFC 206

Seeing Anthony Pettis beg off while Holloway was pounding away was shocking. An end of an era for “Showtime” and the coming out party for the new and improved “Blessed.”

DEMAIN MAIA VS CARLOS CONDIT – UFC ON FOX 21

This was the first time we saw Condit dominated from start to finish. An eye-opener to see how dominant Maia can be on the ground.

CONOR MCGREGOR VS NATE DIAZ – UFC 202

The big money rematch of the year. Need I say more? Thanks Conor and Nate for raising the bar.

JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK VS CLAUDIA GADELHA – TUF 23 FINALE

What a grudge match. Joanna looked like she was going down until Claudia ran out of gas and Jedrzejczyk dug deep. Maybe a rematch in 2017?

MICHAEL BISPING VS LUKE ROCKHOLD – UFC 199

Bisping probably owns two shockers of the year. Beating Anderson Silva was one thing, but laying out Rockhold in the first round? Unbelievable.

STIPE MIOCIC VS FABRICIO WERDUM – UFC 198

El peleador Fabricio Werdum se encuentra a Miocic tras bastidores y le comenta sobre una revancha. pic.twitter.com/QfUokUW18Q

— Noti UFC (@Noti_UFC) September 11, 2016

Let the record show it was Miocic that brought the first pro championship first to Cleveland in ages and not LeBron James and the Cavaliers. I still remember Werdum chasing Miocic and getting caught.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

ANTHONY JOHNSON VS GLOVER TEIXEIRA – UFC 202

https://twitter.com/batindi/status/815600017050402816

Who can forget that knockout? Wow!

NEIL MAGNY VS HECTOR LOMBARD – UFC FIGHT NIGHT 85

Another “fun” fight. I didn’t think Magny had it in him to come back and take out Lombard like that.

NATE DIAZ VS CONOR MCGREGOR – UFC 196

The first big money match of 2016. And it lived up to expectations, so much so that a rematch was scheduled.

ROBBIE LAWLER VS CARLOS CONDIT – UFC 195

The “Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald” fight of 2016. A real back and forth scrap.

@kenaiandrews