MMA’s Better of the Relaxation: Walkout of the yr, feel-good second, villain and extra 2022 awards

You’ve already seen our Massive 5 of 2022’s year-end award season: Fighter of the Yr, Struggle of the Yr, Knockout of the Yr, Submission of the Yr, and Rookie of the Yr. However MMA was manner too loopy and chaotic in 2022 to be restrained to simply 5.

In order the ultimate hours tick all the way down to the brand new yr, let’s cap off our year-end retrospective by handing out a complete heck of numerous {hardware}. From Shaun Al-Shatti, Steven Marrocco, Damon Martin, Alexander Ok. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, Jed Meshew, and the remainder of the MMA Preventing workers, these are one of the best of the remaining from a memorable 2022.

Spherical of the Yr: You might simply seize two or three rounds at random from Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira and make a convincing case for them being one of the best of the yr. However since that ridiculousness already (rightfully) acquired its shine as our Struggle of the Yr winner, I’d relatively use this house to focus on three much less celebrated gems from 2022. In no explicit order: 1) Spherical 3 of Nate Landwehr vs. David Onama; 2) Spherical 3 of Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold; and three) Spherical 2 of Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji.

Landwehr-Onama is one of the best forgotten struggle of 2022 and its remaining dash was a correct chaos capstone; Costa-Rockhold’s rock-‘em-sock-’em finale featured maybe the best manner any dropping fighter has ever retired; and Schnell-Mudaerji was simply full absurdity for 4 minutes straight. Between these three, I’ll give the nod to Schnell-Mudaerji, if solely as a result of if watching Schnell claw again from demise’s doorstep simply to lull Mudaerji to sleep with a triangle seconds later didn’t get flying out of your seat and sprinting across the room, I query whether or not you will have a pulse. Who says flyweights aren’t enjoyable? — Shaun Al-Shatti

Really feel-Good Second of the Yr: Brendan Loughnane didn’t want one million {dollars} to show that he’s probably the greatest featherweights on the planet, but it surely undoubtedly doesn’t harm.

For higher or worse, Loughnane will all the time be remembered for his fateful 2019 tryout on Dana White’s Contender Collection, which noticed Loughnane combine the martial arts in a manner that wasn’t fairly to the UFC boss’ liking. Regardless of profitable, the skilled Loughnane was handed over for a contract as a result of he went for a late takedown try.

Right here’s what White mentioned about Loughnane:

“Once you come onto this present, in contrast to some other present you’d struggle in or no matter, I’m searching for killers,” White mentioned. “In the event you get in right here and also you make it to this present and also you wish to get into the UFC, present me. Don’t double leg once you’ve acquired 10 seconds left within the struggle.

“Present me you wish to be right here, present me you wish to win, present me you will have that killer intuition. You’ll be able to struggle a thousand of these fights wherever else and even in our present, however not tonight.”

It was a ridiculous, disrespectful assertion on the time, and it’s aged poorly contemplating what a revolving door Contender Collection has turn into. And that’s earlier than we even get to Loughnane’s superior run by the PFL this yr.

Loughnane went 4-0 in league competitors, plowing by 2021 finalist Chris Wade and former Courageous CF champion Bubba Jenkins to assert his first world title. When he completed Jenkins within the remaining, it was as if three years of frustration and skepticism and doubt immediately lifted from Loughnane’s shoulders.

In actuality, it shouldn’t have been a shock for anybody that Loughnane turned a champion. Effectively, apart from perhaps one man. — Alexander Ok. Lee

Really feel-Dangerous Second of the Yr: Not each fighter will get the right sendoff in MMA like Khabib Nurmagomedov. Sadly, most finish their careers as a stepping stone to the youthful technology — and that was what “The Reply” Frankie Edgar acquired in his remaining bout.

Edgar returned for one final journey contained in the octagon precisely one yr after getting entrance kicked to oblivion by Marlon Vera, agreeing to face bantamweight prospect Chris Gutierrez, a promising expertise but unknown by the lots. All it took was two minutes and one second for a brutal left knee depart the pleasure of Toms River unconscious in entrance of 20,845 followers at Madison Sq. Backyard. Feels dangerous, man. — Guilherme Cruz

Promo of the Yr: There’s a typical selection for seizing the second, and that’s the second version of Michael Chandler’s post-win energy hour. His callout of Justin Gathje, Charles Oliveira, and Conor McGregor after front-kicking Tony Ferguson into oblivion was note-perfect, simply as his providing was after stopping Dan Hooker in his octagon debut. Chandler did his homework on what strikes MMA followers and expertly capitalized on the larger platform.

There’s additionally a sentimental selection for mic work this yr, and Raul Rosas Jr. will get it for the earnestness of youth — particularly, the 18-year-old selection. Even folks residing beneath rocks knew about his age. They could not have appreciated the that means behind that advertising and marketing, nonetheless, till he used his UFC 282 speech to request a $50,000 bonus so he might purchase his mother a minivan.

What might have extra completely encapsulated the plight of the UFC’s youngest fighter than a bump in his allowance for rides to the fitness center? Overlook for a second in regards to the knowledge of permitting your child to take part in a bloodsport earlier than he can vote. How gosh darn healthful is it that your son repays you with the money to purchase a Toyota Sienna so you may take him to follow? — Steven Marrocco

Walkout of the Yr: The UFC stands out as the largest present in fight sports activities, however oftentimes even the most important pay-per-view occasions really feel like carbon copies of the very same card you simply watched a month earlier. That’s why a well-orchestrated and elaborate walkout, which is definitely relatively uncommon nowadays, can actually assist a fighter stand out.

Within the case of Israel Adesanya, who was already the reigning UFC middleweight champion and one of many prime pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, all eyes have been going to be on him no matter what he did for his stroll to the cage forward of his UFC 276 title protection in opposition to Jared Cannonier in July. However relatively than simply trot to the octagon, Adesanya put collectively one of the vital memorable walkouts in latest historical past, paying homage to the notorious entrance of The Undertaker throughout his storied run with WWE.

A loud gong echoed, a purple mild shrouded the smoke-filled T-Cellular Enviornment, and Adesanya emerged from the tunnel with a big hat protecting his eyes and an urn inscribed with Cannonier’s title — an ominous warning that the title challenger would quickly relaxation in peace. The truth that WWE executives Triple H (Paul Levesque), his spouse Stephanie McMahon, and disgraced former CEO Vince McMahon simply occurred to be sitting cageside that night time solely made the doorway that rather more epic.

“That is the UFC — you wish to give them a present,” Adesanya mentioned in regards to the entrance. “I mentioned all week this looks like WrestleMania. Who’s undefeated at WrestleMania? The Undertaker, and I’ve been feeling darkish all week.” — Damon Martin

Villain of the Yr: In MMA, Villain of the Yr is a class that all the time has a ton of robust contenders, however this yr’s winner took dwelling prime honors in a landslide.

Folks already didn’t like T.J. Dillashaw due to the entire steroids factor — after which Dillashaw had a 2022 for the historical past books.

First, Dillashaw took away a title shot from the universally beloved Jose Aldo, who as an alternative needed to struggle Merab Dvalishvili — at altitude — in one of many worst bookings in residing reminiscence. Aldo narrowly misplaced after which retired from MMA. All of that’s dangerous, but it surely was made immeasurably worse by the truth that Dillashaw HAD A TORN GODDAMN SHOULDER, that means that he functionally couldn’t even struggle, and so when he did face off in opposition to Aljamain Sterling, he misplaced in idiotic and non-competitive vogue. Oh, he then completed up the yr by retiring from the game, which then sowed the concept he truly simply needed out of the USADA pool to get again on the gear earlier than inevitably unretiring subsequent yr.

Dillashaw’s general essence is considered one of villainy, and in 2022, the person was actually in his bag. — Jed Meshew

Burn of the Yr: Let’s be sincere — Sean Strickland says some actually silly stuff. Very often truly.

However even Strickland is able to pulling out a few zingers, and there was no higher case of that this yr than his efficiency on the UFC 276 pre-fight press convention, which ended up as his greatest spotlight as a result of issues didn’t go nicely for him in opposition to Alex Pereira simply 48 hours later.

In his first look at a significant presser, Strickland was loud and made use of the microphone the UFC foolishly put in entrance of him, however he additionally managed to take a shot at former middleweight champion and religious anime fan Israel Adesanya throughout one relatively humorous trade.

First, Strickland famous that Pereira “slept” Adesanya beforehand after they met in kickboxing, however his subsequent dig was the one which undoubtedly singed “The Final Stylebender”

“Your Pornhub is simply crammed with cartoons,” Strickland shouted at Adesanya. “No man that beats off to cartoons goes to beat me.”

To his credit score, Adesanya rolled with the punches and continued to commerce phrases on stage along with his fellow middleweight, however Strickland undoubtedly acquired the higher of that trade. Nearly every part Strickland says has to come back with a disclaimer earlier than it, and this remark was undoubtedly crass. However as Dana White all the time says, that is the struggle enterprise and nobody is getting additional credit score for being good. — Damon Martin

Upset of the Yr: In equity, in comparison with Kayla Harrison’s earlier opponents, Larissa Pacheco could as nicely have been a choose ‘em so far as the percentages go.

En path to her third straight PFL remaining, right here have been Harrison’s victory odds in opposition to her first three opponents (per Tapology):

-5000 vs. Marina Mokhnatkina
-3500 vs. Kaitlin Younger
-4000 vs. Martina Jindrova

Pacheco was a choose ‘em in comparison with the remainder of the sector, with Harrison sitting at a modest -700 going into their third assembly, however these are nonetheless staggering odds, particularly for a championship struggle. It was the livest that Pacheco had been going right into a struggle along with her PFL rival although, as Harrison was a -1700 favourite for his or her first struggle and -1400 for his or her second struggle.

Even folks taking Pacheco as a reputable risk in all probability didn’t anticipate the struggle to go the best way it did, with Pacheco dragging Harrison right into a canine struggle and pushing the two-time Olympic gold medalist into deeper waters than she’d ever seen. This wasn’t a fluke upset with Pacheco counting on her ending skill to catch Harrison with one thing out of the blue; this was a hungry challenger legitimately outworking a beforehand invincible champ.

What this consequence means for each girls is anyone’s guess, as Harrison may very well be given the chance to right away avenge the loss — one thing that Pacheco was anticipating even earlier than she truly beat Harrison. However no matter the place their careers go from right here, Pacheco’s win stands as essentially the most surprising second but in PFL’s transient historical past. — Alexander Ok. Lee

Fustercluck of the Yr: Since Jon Jones vacated his mild heavyweight title in 2020, the 205-pound division has felt considerably unmoored. However when Jiri Prochazka received the belt over Glover Teixeira in probably the greatest fights of all-time, it appeared that issues would lastly quiet down. As a substitute, the month of December introduced unprecedented anarchy, and now the 205-pound ship is misplaced at sea within the midst of a hurricane.

Y’all know the story: Prochazka acquired injured and vacated the belt, the UFC back-doored Glover and had Jan Blachowicz struggle Magomed Ankalaev for it, then these two went to a draw — and earlier than anybody might blink, the UFC rebooked one other mild heavyweight title struggle. In a division determined for stability, the MMA Gods as an alternative selected chaos. — Jed Meshew

Eff Round And Discover Out of the Yr: Three layers of safety shield the UFC’s octagon and its fighters: Enviornment, promotion, and fee. All are imagined to work collectively to guard fighters and officers from unruly followers. You’d must be actually quick and actually drunk on Modelo to hurry the walkout lanes to the octagon. UFC followers are drunk, however most of them aren’t that drunk.

Precisely how a lot Modelo this fan at UFC 274 had is unknown. Some pretzel logic nonetheless satisfied her it was a good suggestion to hop the fence separating the bleachers and the ground and make a run for it. And hey, the woman made it to the cage apron. At the very least, she stepped up on it. Mission achieved. Then she acquired tossed, American Gladiators type, to the concrete.

“It was swiftly handled and she or he was ejected from the sector,” an official for enviornment safety at Phoenix’s Footprint Middle flatly advised MMA Preventing after the incident.

Her destiny needs to be a lesson to stage-jumpers in all places, however notably to anybody who thinks safety is lax at UFC occasions. It’s not, and also you’re going to finish up with a stack of chiropractor payments. — Steven Marrocco

Comeback of the Yr: In reality, the one cheap choose for Comeback of the Yr goes to Leon Edwards for his miracle head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman. However since that has already gotten loads of flowers (with another but to come back), we will as an alternative reward the opposite form of comeback.

One yr in the past, Amanda Nunes was on prime of the MMA world because the consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the sport and a two-division champion. Then, in what was imagined to be a perfunctory title protection in opposition to Julianna Peña, she fumbled the bag, dropping her title in one of many largest upsets of all-time. At 34 years outdated, and with nothing left to show within the sport, that might have been the beginning of an unlucky downfall for “The Lioness.” However as an alternative she got here again with a vengeance and beat the ever-loving s*** out of Peña for 25 minutes of their rematch at UFC 277.

Anytime you go from getting choked out to hanging a 50-43 scorecard on somebody, that’s a big-time comeback. — Jed Meshew

Cornerwork of the Yr: Talking of comebacks, cornering knowledgeable MMA fighter is not any simple activity. That’s one thing I’ve assumed for over a decade, however I solely skilled it after being in a nook earlier this yr — and I wasn’t even anticipated to shout directions or something like that. Phrases may help somebody win or lose a battle over 15 or 25 minutes, so saying the suitable issues could be difficult. However Dave Lovell took it to the subsequent stage in 2022.

Leon Edwards was one spherical away from dropping a championship struggle to welterweight king Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. He had waited for the chance for over a half-decade and was arising brief in his long-awaited shot on the aim.

Then coach Lovell urged “Rocky” to “cease feeling sorry to your f***ing self.”

Generally fighters want technical recommendation on easy methods to flip issues round. Generally, all they they want is to be advised, “don’t let ’em bully you” and “pull this s*** outta the hearth.”

Lovell knew precisely what to say and when to say it, and the now-infamous post-fight edit completely captures that. — Guilherme Cruz

Karmic Reversal of the Yr: In an MMA yr crammed with each absurdity and hilarity of every kind, there was actually no occasion extra absurd or hilarious than the saga of UFC 279.

Heading into struggle week, it was apparent past the purpose of parody to see what the UFC was attempting to do to Nate Diaz. Right here was a homegrown UFC lifer, one of many firm’s few real superstars, a person who made Dana White & Co. barrels upon barrels of cash over his 15 years of service. But by having the temerity to wish to discover his price on the open market, there was just one logical conclusion: He should be punished.

Not solely was Diaz placed on ice as months and months dragged on with out him getting a struggle, the struggle he did lastly get was one akin to throwing him in entrance of a firing squad. Anybody who follows MMA with even a passing curiosity understood the sport UFC officers have been enjoying by reserving Diaz in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279. That all of it blew up of their faces with Chimaev’s last-second weight miss, which resulted in Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson renegotiating their contracts to earn a large new payday (and in Diaz’s case, a considerably extra advantageous matchup), was merely karma coming dwelling to roost.

If anybody deserved an improbably good escape, it was Diaz. Right here’s to the thousands and thousands extra he’ll in all probability make in 2023 as a free man coming off a profitable efficiency. — Shaun Al-Shatti