The MMA Plus team select their end of year awards for 2016. In this edition, the staff members select their Fight of the year. But will the team agree on a majority winner?
The categories for the MMA Plus awards are: Fighter of the year, Coach of the year, Fight of the year, Event of the year, Upset of the year, Knockout of the year, Submission of the year, Breakout star of 2016.
MMA Plus 2016 Fight of the Year picks
Seán Ryan: Fight of the Year – Tie Between Carlos Condit vs. Robbie Lawler (UFC 195) and Doo Ho Choi vs. Cub Swanson (UFC 206)
Carlos Condit vs. Robbie Lawler was the second day of 2016 and it was 25 minutes of pure madness. Words can’t describe how fantastic that bout was. As for Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi. That was the greatest three round fight ever. Period. Better than The Ultimate Fighter 1 scrap between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
Stuart Rodger: Fight of the Year – Doo Ho Choi vs. Cub Swanson (UFC 206)
Nevermind fight of the year, this epic battle will make my shortlist on any greatest fight list. With both fighters not willing to back down, they went at it hammer and tongs for five rounds with Swanson coming out the winner. The punishment both men walked through to reach the end of the fight was simply outstanding.
Roberto Reid: Fight of the Year – Carlos Condit vs. Robbie Lawler (UFC 195)
My pick for fight of the year goes to Robbie Lawler split decision win over Carlos Condit at 195. This back and fourth encounter showcased both fighters grit and determination and was a great advertisement for the sport.
Andreas Georgiou: Fight of the Year – Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping (UFC London)
It may just be the pure emotion of this fight but, down to a tee the entire narrative from start to finish was something special. Silva returning to his old stomping ground in the U.K. (Where he had fought for Cage Rage) and people wanted to see whether he was still half as good as he once was. The third round of course, infamous due to “Spider” nearly knocking Bisping out on the bell. But then British fighter showed incredible heart and executed a smart gameplan to outstrike Silva and secure the biggest win of his career, at that point point.
Stephen Flynn: Doo Ho Choi vs. Cub Swanson (UFC 206)
The recent bout at UFC 206 between Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi will be remembered for years to come and is hard to look past for fight of the year. In what was a brutal Featherweight classic these two fighters went the distance leaving everything in the octagon. Choi showed he was not to be taken lightly landing some heavy strikes along with having a chin of steel. In an all out slug fest Swanson derailed a rising star whilst cementing himself as a top contender of the division.
