Top 10: The Month of October 2010

1.      

The top ten significant events in the world of MMA, at least in my book. Here we go...

 1.    Zuffa’s sister companies, the UFC and WEC merge as a potentially new and more exciting UFC. Consequently, Jose Aldo becomes the first UFC featherweight (145lb) champion.  Both Ben Henderson (WEC Lightweight champ) and Dominick Cruz (WEC Bantamweight champ) will defend their title one more time in December at WEC 53 (last WEC event) under the WEC banner before the company is folded.

2.       Cain Velasquez defeats Brock Lesnar, ending the rein one of the UFC’s greatest Heavyweight champions in the company’s history.   Brock Lesnar defended his title a record 3 consecutive times (tying the UFC hall of famer Randy Couture).  Velasquez won brilliantly in a dominating performance by TKO in the 1^st round.

3.       The longest winning streak is brought to an end. Megumi Fujii loses via split decision in a championship matchup for Bellator’s inaugural Women’s 115lb against Zoila Frausto at Bellator 34. Heretofore, Fujii broke a record by winning 22 straight bouts.

4.       Bellator Lightweight Champ Eddie Alvarez destroys Roger Huerta at Bellator 33 via TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) after the 2nd round in a non-title superfight.

5.        Big mouth Dan Hardy is humbled by a highlight reel KO by one of the dark horses of the UFC welterweight division, Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit.  I think someone else deserves a title shot over “boring” Jake Shields.

6.        Marloes Coenen becomes the second Strikeforce Women’s middleweight (135lb) champion by defeating Sarah Kaufman via submission (armbar).

7.       Nick Diaz successfully defends his Strikeforce Welterweight Championship against KJ Noons in a less than fantastic performance via unanimous decision.

8.       Middleweight powerhouse Hector Lombard defends his Bellator Middleweight title against Russian striker Alexander Shlemenko via unanimous decision at Bellator 34.  

9.       Ben Askren uses his wrestling expertise to grapple his way to a Bellator Welterweight championship, defeating Lyman Good the previous champion. Askren won via unanimous decision.

10.   Bellator 33 introduces two new inaugural champions in weight classes that lie at both extremes. Cole Konrad becomes the Heavyweight champion (206-265lb) submitting Neil Grove with a keylock. Zach Makovsky defeats Ed West via unanimous decision becoming Bellator’s first Bantamweight (135lb) champion.