Combat sports had a big year with plenty of new champions crowned as well as Pay-Per-View records set.
I'm going to use this blog to hopefully have an area for some of our boxing and MMA fans to discuss fights, fighters etc.
For now, a quick summary of the biggest headlines of 2017. Feel free to add any I've missed.
1. Conor McGregor Vs Eddie Alvarez: Easily the biggest UFC fight of the year. McGregor became the only UFC fighter in history to hold two belts in different weight classes simultaneously after he butchered Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez.
2. Brock Lesnar Vs Mark Hunt: Lesnar made a sensational return to the cage and won against the Super Samoan. Following the fight it was revealed Lesnar had failed a drugs test and was stripped of the win. The fallout remains ongoing with Hunt demanding compensation for having to fight an opponent on the juice.
3. Anthony Joshua Vs Wladimir Klitschko: AJ confirmed himself as the dominant heavyweight in world boxing, felling Dr Steel Hammer in the 11th round of their WBA and IBO world heavyweight championship fight. Joshua successfully defended his title later in the year and WBC Champion Deontay Wilder shapes as his next opponent after the American obliterated Bermane Stiverne.
4. Conor McGregor Vs Floyd Mayweather: The Money Fight. UFC champ McGregor made his boxing debut against undefeated and fresh out of retirement Floyd Mayweather for the mother of all paydays. McGregor was eventually stopped in the 10th round but remained gallant in defeat. Mawyweather improved his record to 50-0, breaking the 49-0 record set by Rocky Marciano.
5. Jeff Horn Vs Manny Pacquaio: The Hornet shook up the world when he defeated the legendary PacMan at Suncorp Stadium to claim the WBO Welterweight championship. Horn took the bout in somewhat controversial circumstances with many American pundits believing Pacquaio had been robbed. The WBO re-scored the bout, still handing the win to Horn.
6. Michael Bisping Vs Georges St Pierre: UFC legend GSP made his return to the Octagon in triumphant scenes, defeating Middleweight champion Michael Bisping and reclaiming the title in the process. Australian Robert Whittaker is the current number one contender in the Middleweight division, holding the Interim Championship belt and is looking for a unifying title fight next year.
7. Alex Volkanovski's rise: Alex fights at UFC Fight Night 121 Sydney in two weeks' time, looking to extend his record to an imposing 16-1 and continuing his unbeaten run to 13-0 with his last loss coming in 2013. He's a former Mick Cronin medalist in CRL Group 7. I also interview him on my podcast next week, available here.
Replies
what about jon jones vs DC
Been huge fan of MMA since saw UFC 1 on VHS as a young fella and seen it progress from waiting month or 2 to get early pay per view on tapes to access have today is huge.
I recommend for those that like UFC to check out Bellator fight cards as they really are closing the gap. They are using lot ex ufc fighters or retired fighters to bring attention and have some fun fights with novelty factor but have some of best young fighters in the game, many who could be or will end up in the ufc.
Eddie Alvarez was former Bellator champ and although Will Brooks has not fired in ufc yet give him time. The former Bellator champ is fighting on upcoming Aussie card. He had some great fights in bellator and will come good.
I reckon in couple years we will see Aussie talent shining. Rob Whittaker is already there but young Jake Matthews is champ of future and tai tuvasa is a beast of a human making his ufc debut.
agree mace when you put a boxing champ up against a ufc/mma champ no contest
Corruption in boxing. Well I never!
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