With another action-packed year of MMA in the books, MMAjunkie takes a look at the best fights from January to December. Here are the top five and the winner of MMAjunkie’s “Fight of the Year” for 2017.
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Honorable mentions
5. Jessica Andrade def. Claudia Gadelha UFC Fight Night 117
The crucial matchup of UFC women’s strawweight contenders could result in only one winner, and Jessica Andrade (17-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) got the job done against Claudia Gadelha (15-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in one of the most highly praised female bouts in company history.
In a clash of two fighters looking to get another crack at 115-pound gold, Andrade earned a lopsided unanimous-decision victory over fellow Brazilian Gadelha in a memorable blood-and-guts battle.
4. Darren Elkins def. Mirsad Bektic at UFC 209
After being beaten to a bloody pulp by top featherweight prospect Mirsad Bektic (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), UFC veteran Darren Elkins (23-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) staged one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory – and perhaps all-time – when he somehow rallied to win by third-round TKO.
Up until the finishing sequence, it was all Bektic as he battered Elkins in brutal fashion. But when the victory seemed in hand, it quickly slipped away. “The Damage” pushed forward late in the fight, caught Bektic with a stunning combination of strikes, including a head kick, and pulled off the miraculous finish, which also was named MMAjunkie’s “2017 Comeback of the Year.”
3. Eddie Alvarez def. Justin Gaethje at UFC 218
It was billed as a can’t-miss firefight to determine the most violent man in the sport. It delivered. Eddie Alvarez (29-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Justin Gaethje (18-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) battered each other in a brutal striking battle that finally ended when Alvarez laid out by Gaethje’s third-round knee.
Former UFC and Bellator champ Alvarez promised to go toe to toe with previously unbeaten former WSOF titleholder Gaethje. Both men dished out and absorbed plenty of damage in the lightweight contest, but Alvarez finished the job when he loaded up with a massive knee that dropped his opponent and led to the stoppage.
2. Yancy Medeiros def. Alex Oliveira at UFC 218
Yancy Medeiros (15-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has a knack for putting on exciting fights, and his lightweight clash with Alex Oliveira (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) may have been his best yet. Medeiros broke something in Oliveira – and not just his nose.
Combining for a single-fight UFC record four knockdowns, the pair went toe to toe for a little more than 12 minutes. Both were badly hurt, but once Oliveira winced and wilted, Medeiros was relentless and picked up the third-round TKO win.
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Winner: Justin Gaethje def. Michael Johnson at TUF 25 Finale
The contempt between Gaethje and Michael Johnson (17-12 MMA, 9-8 UFC) finally came to a head inside the octagon, and it was a sight to behold.
Gaethje overcame being nearly finished twice to storm back for a finish of his own, defeating Johnson via second-round TKO in one of the most memorable UFC debuts in history.
“You cannot break me,” Gaethje said. “I promise you. You better put me to sleep.”
It came close to happening on two occasions during this slugfest. Gaethje was getting the better of some spectacular exchanges for most of the first round, but Johnson connected flush with a right hook that badly wobbled the newcomer. Johnson then went for the finish, but the horn sounded.
Both fighters came out swinging again in the second round, and again Johnson landed a right hand that wobbled Gaethje, but it didn’t drop him. Although Johnson failed to finish, he settled in and found holes in Gaethje’s defense, which allowed him to land the better shots.
That is, until Gaethje hit an uppercut in the final 90 seconds that discombobulated Johnson. From there, Gaethje continued to pour it on with more uppercuts, busting up Johnson’s face until a knee signaled the end when “Big” John McCarthy stepped in at the 4:42 mark.
“Where is my equal at?” he asked the crowd after the thrilling performance. “I’m 18-0 with 15 knockouts. Who is my equal? That’s who I want.”
Gaethje ultimately found his equal in Alvarez in his next octagon appearance, but not before putting on another “Fight of the Year” contender.
Also see:
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Knockout of the Year’: A head-rattling heavyweight finish
- MMAjunkie’s ‘Submission of the Year’ for 2017: An insane finish makes history
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Comeback Fighter of the Year’ is a pretty obvious choice
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Comeback of the Year’: Darren Elkins lives up to ‘The Damage’ nickname
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year’: A champion before joining UFC
- MMAjunkie ‘2017 Upset of the Year’: Thug Rose! Thug Rose! Thug Rose!
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year’: UFC newcomer wasted no time rising up
- MMAjunkie’s 2017 ‘Newcomer of the Year’: Despite late slip-up, Californian made mark in hurry
- MMAjunkie ‘2017 Round of the Year’: Absolutely menacing highlight
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Robbery of the Year’: The MMA gods giveth, and they taketh away
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Coach of the Year’: Former champion becoming standout instructor
- MMAjunkie’s ‘2017 Gym of the Year’: New entrant makes immediate impact
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