Day 12 – 12/12/10
Day 11 – 12/11/10
Day 10 – 12/10/10
Day 9 – 12/9/10
Day 8 – 12/8/10
Day 7 – 12/7/10
Day 6 – 12/6/10
Day 5 – 12/5/10
Day 4 – 12/4/10
Day 3 – 12/3/10
Day 2 – 12/2/10
Day 1 – 12/1/10
Sorry for the absence. Final Exams are kicking my ass. Anyway, as a gift, here’s a two-for deal.
13. Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone
When it happened – WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan (September 30, 2010)
In a rematch of a fight that found a place on last year’s list, Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone II would not disappoint. Both fighters had pretty disappointing beginnings in the year of 2010 with Jamie Varner losing his WEC Lightweight Crown in January followed by getting cheated out of a Unanimous Decision victory over Kamal Shalorus. Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone, looking to recapture the magic he had with Ben Henderson at last year’s WEC 43 event fell victim to a first round guillotine choke. A win for either individual was essential.
And Donald Cerrone did just that, by setting the pace of the fight by opening with a wild knee that if it hit with accuracy could have easily put an end to one of WEC’s most requested rematches. The flying knee did take Jamie Varner out of his game and Donald Cerrone only continued with an aggressive that never allowed Jamie Varner to get into the grove.
Though a post-third round exchange led to a minor confrontation between both Varner and Cerrone, both fighters gave their all in this fight and it honestly did not disappoint me one bit. Another fight that just serves a reminder that WEC consistently books some of the most exciting fights in all of MMA.
12. Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez
When it happened – UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez (October 23, 2010)
Brock Lesnar earned a fan in me after his gutsy performance at UFC 116 that I saw a victory over Cain Velasquez as a foregone conclusion. I had it all worked out in my bed: Cain Velasquez had the cardio, but couldn’t match Brock Lesnar’s size or raw strength. Brock Lesnar possessed some of the most dynamic takedowns in the sport and would be able to easily take control of Cain. With the exception of Antonio Nogueira, Cain Velasquez hadn’t decisively put anyone away with one punch power and after seeing Brock Lesnar’s durability against Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez would have a hell of a time putting Brock Lesnar away via strikes.
How wrong was I?
Cain Velasquez entered the octagon and easily put on one of the most dominating performances of the year. Brock Lesnar looked to end the fight very early on, by attacking Cain Velasquez with wild punches, all the while looking for a takedown. Velasquez denied any of Brock Lesnar’s grappling attempts and even fired away on the large athlete with strikes that, much to my surprise, had Brock Lesnar on the retreat.
I’m not saying Cain Velasquez is a weak puncher at 265, nor am I saying that Brock Lesnar is afraid to get hit. However, watching how effortlessly Cain Velasquez put away Lesnar and how easily wilted Brock Lesnar became at the hands of Cain Velasquez. It was a result that I just never saw coming.
And who could forget this:
