Nothing satisfies fight fans more than a good old-fashioned finish. Let’s look back at some of the most impressive times the judges took a break in 2023.
Josh Emmet vs. Bryce Mitchell
Just when everyone had their minds made up about which knockouts reigned supreme in 2023, Josh Emmet decided to wait until the very last moment to force us to rewrite our lists. In fact, we should just rewrite our all-time lists after this one.
Heading into the final UFC event of the year, we knew what kind of power Emmett possessed and what danger Mitchell was in when he signed up on short notice to replace Giga Chikadze. It would take less than two minutes for that danger to be realized when the Team Alpha Male product landed a textbook overhand right in between Mitchell’s guard.
Over the years we’ve seen tons of overhand rights connect with devastating results, but we very rarely see such evidence of gut-wrenching damage akin to what took place on UFC 296’s main card opener. Emmett didn’t just separate Mitchell from his consciousness, he left his body convulsing on the canvas.
It was a harsh reminder of just how dangerous mixed martial arts can be and how twisted we must be to enjoy it so much. Emmett also gave us the added bonus of missing out on any potential weird fusion of conspiracy theories and Bible-thumping that would’ve undoubtedly followed a Mitchell victory.
Jon Jones vs. Cyril Gane
Sometimes a finish is great because of how dynamic it is. Sometimes the opposite is true. Greatness at its peak oftentimes looks easy. Jon Jones’ submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 certainly fits in the latter category.
When Jones finally made his heavyweight debut after nearly a decade of teasing the idea, his legacy as an all-time great was already set in stone. But whether or not he’d extend his dominance with a few extra pounds and years of inactivity was still in question.
Jones answered all doubts with ease. It took just over 2 minutes for him to secure a takedown, establish position, and find a fight ending guillotine choke. It all happened so fast and so nonchalantly that everyone from the crowd in the arena, viewers at home, and the commentary team were left confused before repeated replays.
Submitting a dangerous fighter like Gane after over 3 years out of competition without cracking a sweat redefines great.
Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
It’s always a good time when two of the most accomplished pure strikers in MMA history meet in the cage. The fourth meeting between Israel Adesanya and Alex Periera at UFC 287 certainly fit that bill.
After a long rivalry that traveled from the world of kickboxing into the UFC, Periera snatched the crown from the dominant champion as 2022 neared its end. It was a make-or-break moment for the Last Stylebender. Would he rise to the occasion, claim what was his, and finally get his hand raised after a trio of defeats to Poatan? Or would the Brazilian wrecking machine that changed his career course for the sole purpose of playing the boogeyman push that celebrated title reign further in the back of our minds?
After a start that echoed the overall theme of power versus precision that defined their previous encounters, Adesanya countered Periera’s looping punches with a pair of right hands after playing rope a dope against the fence. The short left hook that found Periera’s chin as his body fell to the floor was just icing on the cake.
Being the showman that he is, Adesanya’s dramatic win wasn’t enough. The mimed arrows and play-dead revenge taunts directed at his opponent’s son elevated the moment. It will either serve as the bookend of one of the more intriguing rivalries in combat sports history or be a talking point leading into its next chapter.
Also Read: UFC featherweight rankings: Josh Emmett rises after epic UFC 296 win
Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko
It wasn’t supposed to happen. Going into UFC 285, the story was already written. Valentina Shevchenko would dominate an overmatched Alexa Grasso, coast into her eighth title defense, and we’d all patiently wait for a worthy challenger to finally emerge.
Apparently, Alexa Grasso did not get that memo.
Instead of laying down and accepting her massive underdog status, Grasso rose to the occasion and defied expectations. With just a minute remaining in the fourth round, a failed spinning back kick left Shevchenko’s back exposed. Grasso pounced as quickly as the opening presented itself. Attaching herself to the champion’s back, she put hooks in and worked for the choke as Shevchenko fell. Shevchenko’s face turned colors as Grasso applied more pressure forcing the tap.
Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier
Sure, the BMF belt is a silly prop that exists solely to sell pay-per-views. But if we must reintroduce it to the universe, then you do a lot worse than putting together Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirer to fight for it.
The first time the two former interim champions fought one another, they gave us the 2018 Fight of the Year with a plethora of jaw-dropping highlights. While we didn’t get a prolonged war of attrition this time around, we did see further evidence of Gaethje’s late career growth.
Instead of going chest-to-chest with Poirier and slugging it out, The Highlight chose a defensively-minded strategy, managing distance and displaying a hint of patience.
After reminding Poirier how effective his leg kicks are, Gaethje switched levels and aimed high. Even with his left hand raised, Gaethje’s shin penetrated Poirier’s guard, sending him to the floor and shutting his lights out for the first time in seven years.
Honorable mentions
Patchy Mix vs Raufeon Stots, Sean O’Malley vs Aljamain Sterling, Ismael Bonfim vs Terrence McKinney, Davey Grant vs Rafael Assuncao, Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Geoff Neal, Joanderson Brito vs Jonathan Pearce
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