GRITTIEST PERFORMANCE

Jared Hamman, UFC 150

Middleweight Jared Hamman tried to fight through a torn hamstring incurred during his fight at UFC 150. Yeah, a torn hamstring. He didn’t win the fight – that would have been something – but he did attempt to soldier through the no doubt immense discomfort before being TKO’d in round two. He later said the injury, caused by a takedown from opponent Michael Kuiper, left him unable to stabilize the leg and feeling like Gumby. Never say MMA fighters aren’t tough.

I’M BACK, BABY

Mike Swick, UFC on Fox 4

There was a time when TUF 1 contestant Mike Swick was the UFC’s don of destruction, and also quite handy with the old quick first-round finishes. Over two years out of the Octagon, and three years since his last stoppage win, people had kind of forgotten AKA’s Swick was a bit good at getting the stop until he full on put DaMarques Johnson to sleep with a massive right hand just after throwing him to the canvas at UFC on Fox 4. In retrospect, that nickname, Mike ‘Quick’ Swick, should probably have jogged everyone’s memories.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR EYE

Wagner Prado, UFC on Fox 4

Imagine the scene. You’re in the UFC’s ultimate proving ground (the Octagon) after receiving your call-up to the big show following an eight-fight undefeated streak of non-stop ass kickings which included having your car tricked out on Brazil’s version of Pimp My Ride. A minute and a half later, NCAA wrestling champion Phil Davis’ finger accidentally finds its way inside your eye socket. Your long-desired, long-awaited UFC debut is called off. You’d probably feel a bit poopy wouldn’t you? Well, you can now sympathise with Team Nogueira 205lb’er Wagner Prado’s experience at UFC on Fox 4. Think about his wasted multi-week fight camp next time you have to redo a level on Call of Duty. Perspective, people.

WEIRDEST ENDING

Erik Perez, UFC 150

Two months after his UFC debut, Jackson’s MMA bantamweight Erik Perez picked up his second promotion win at UFC 150, crumpling WEC alum Ken Stone to the canvas on the spot with a right hook. Seeking to finish the job, Perez hurled himself and a stream of right hands at a recovering Stone, causing the pair to tumble toward the Octagon wall. A left and a right meant referee Herb Dean had seen enough and pushed Perez off, causing the Mexican to fall backwards and face plant on the canvas where a groggy Ken Stone attempted to continue the bout. Super strange. How often is a fight just as fantastic after the finish as during?

WINNING IN DEFEAT

Brandon Vera, UFC on Fox 4

Yes, nearly man Brandon Vera lost to ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC on Fox 4 via fourth-round TKO after nearly 20 minutes of punishment, but the 205lb Filipino-American probably convinced more doubters enduring that Rua-sourced beating than if he’d earned a title shot with a five-second finish. Known as being an underachiever with his desire for success constantly under scrutiny, Vera displayed heart and determination rarely matched by his UFC colleagues after pushing through a series of Rua barrages. You could say he was… Vera-fied by his performance.

BRAVISSIMO

Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner, UFC on Fox 4

Goodness, did Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner put on a thrilling scrap at UFC on Fox 4? It had everything: sweeps, submission attempts, near knockouts. It even had a finish via a Joe Lauzon triangle choke, which earned him two ‘…of the Night’ bonuses to make him the most bonused up UFC scrapper ever. But let’s not forget it takes two to tango, or, more accurately, put on a potential ‘Fight of the Year.’ Mr Lauzon, Mr Varner, please take a bow.

GROUNDHOG DAY

Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, UFC 150

Barring his KO finish of Gray Maynard in 2011, the last time Frankie Edgar enjoyed a decisive outcome in a fight was nearly three years ago, before he was 155lb champion. It wouldn’t be too outlandish to suggest Edgar has a cosmic aura that encourages judges to disagree with one another and render near-even scorecards. It’s probably the only explanation for his UFC 150 decision loss to Benson Henderson being his fifth close judges’ call in six fights. While both men had their moments in the five rounder, neither made their mark. The bright side? Edgar next gets to fight someone not called Penn, Maynard or Henderson.

BEST COMEBACK

Donald Cerrone, UFC 150

After only 60 seconds of ridiculously eventful action where Melvin Guillard had dropped and rocked Donald Cerrone with strikes and knees in their lightweight clash at UFC 150, you’d have bet a hefty wedge the ‘Young Assassin’ would be the victor. But, if you had been so fluent with your cash, only 16 seconds later you would have been weeping into your nachos/Cheetos/peanuts, because ‘Cowboy’ only went and pulled off a ridiculous comeback win. A shaky Cerrone whipped a left head kick that clipped Guillard onto rubber legs, then a lunging straight right finished the job. Crazy.

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