As we close in on the final PPV events of the year, I got to thinking about how well 2015 has done so far. Compared to 2014, this year has done very well in terms of captivating interest and relevance in the UFC brand with the rise of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. A lot has gone on insideand outside of the cage for champions, contenders, and fan-favourites. Lets take a look back at what has transpired to make this year a fun year to be a fan of Mixed Martial Arts.
UFC 182: Jones vs Cormier
The Card
This card was always a one-fight card. One and a half if you include Cerrone in the drawing power, but the MGM brawl will live in infamy for the amount of hype it drew to the bout. Originally it was going to be a two-title fight card, but an injury on another card took Rousey vs Zingano to fill the hole. Also, Cormier wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for that same MGM brawl. He got the call when Gustafsson got injured but Gustafsson didn’t get the callback after that brawl heightened interest to the Jones/Cormier fued.
Hindsight
The card was filled with decisions including the main event. Though the main event was an exciting affair with two combatants at their best the remainder of the card could be summed up in Cerrone’s “Fuck you” kicks on Myles Jury’s legs.
To be honest the most exciting things about this card happened outside the event itself. First there was the brawl in the MGM lobby after Gustafsson was pulled. The hype from that was heated up further by the recorded interview between the two shortly after. Then Jon Jones had an out of competition drug test where he tested positive for cocaine-use in December. After the event Hector Lombard tested positive for anabolic steroids which caused his win to be overturned.
UFC 183: Silva vs Diaz
The Card
The UFC planned to open 2015 with a bang after a disappointing final quarter in 2014. This card was the return of the Spider and the perfect opponent for him in Nick Diaz. Stockton’s brashest public representative sat out waiting for offers of big fights and it was this one that got him to return to the Octagon. They had a beautiful promo to sell his return too, but I can’t find it now because it is set as private for reasons unknown.
Nick Diaz sells fights by just being himself and though he didn’t talk trash to the GOAT, people salivated over the idea of what this bout could be. Diaz is a unique cat and a fighter’s fighter which was the perfect comeback bout for Anderson Silva. Fans imagined high-level grappling and standup from both sides.
Hindsight
Both Silva and Diaz failed post-fight drug tests. This bout will be remembered for erection drugs from Thailand receiving a one-year suspension and a weed offense resulting in a five-year suspension. Had Woodley not lost to Rory McDonald and had Gastellum not missed weight this card may have been remembered for more divisional relevance. As it stands nobody went in viewing Iaquinta as title contender and though it was filled with a lot of ranked fighters none had a large following. Iaquinta, Tate, Brunson, and Lineker all advanced their careers impressively, if quietly.
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