B. Cappelozza (left), C. do Bronx (center) and A. McKee are among the 'Highlights of the Year'. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
The year 2021 definitely had stories to tell. With the gradual resumption of attendance in the arenas with the reduction of COVID-19 cases, fans were able to see great performances and achievements by fighters from the most diverse organizations.
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And, as a way of honoring them, the SUPER FIGHTS separated a retrospective in the last week of 2021 with the main 'Highlights of the Year' fighters in the world of mixed martial arts. Let's get to the list?!
Islam makhachev
I. Makhachev is in the top 5 in the lightweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Ward of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam makhachev hadn't entered the octagon since September 2019, when he beat the Brazilian Davi ramos No. UFC 242. However, for 2021, the Russian 'came back with everything' and showed great superiority by finishing three opponents – Drew dober, Thiago Moses e Dan Hooker – in sequence. With the results, he reached fourth place in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg) and could get a title shot if he repeats the same feats next year.
Marina Rodriguez
M. Rodriguez in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Despite having been in Ultimate since 2018, the third year of Marina Rodriguez was the most expressive since its debut. Specialist in Muay-Thai, the Santa Catarina woman knocked out Amanda ribas in January and also managed to dominate and overcome Michelle Waterson e Mackenzie dern in the judges' decision, in May and October, respectively. Brazilian hope in the straws (up to 52,1kg.), the athlete is third in the ranking of the category led by Rose namajunas.
Cyryl Gane
Cyryl Gane, in fact, is here to stay. After going through a series of cancellations that harmed his activity in the previous year, the Frenchman managed to reach the interim heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg.) after, with a strategic style, beating Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexander Volkov e Derrick Lewis. In January, he even tries to unify his title against his former training partner, Francis Ngannou, on January 22nd, for the main fight of the UFC 270.
A. J. McKee
A. McKee is the Bellator featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Bellator's 'Creative' A. J. McKee performed once in 2021. Still, the North American stood out in dethroning the Brazilian's four-year reign Patrick Pitbull at featherweight (up to 65,7kg.) and, with a guillotine choke, he became Scott Coker's franchise Grand Prix champion. The fight is even considered by the president himself to be the biggest in the company's history.
Bruno Cappelozza
B. Cappelozza celebrates victory in the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Bruno Cappelozza experienced a mix of feelings this year. The Brazilian earned one million dollars (around R$5,7 million) after overcoming three opponents with strong knockouts in the PFL heavyweight tournament (up to 120,2kg). However, in the same week as the achievement, he learned of the death of his father, João Roberto Cappelozza, one of the biggest supporters of his career. In honor of his father's memory, as well as his good performances in the decagon, Bruno is among the 'Highlights of the Year'.
Rose namajunas
R. Namajunas maintained the straw belt in UFC 268. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Se Rose namajunas If you could define your year in one word, 'reinvention' would certainly be one of the possibilities. After all, the North American – who had already won the strawweight title (up to 52,1kg) in the past – showed great progress and became champion for the second time, with a brutal kick, over the still undefeated UFC fighter, Weili Zhang. Then, in the rematch against the Chinese, she gained a slight advantage and continued with the title in a split decision, in a duel in the UFC 268.
Glover Teixeira
G. Teixeira is the UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
With advancing age also comes wisdom. At 42 years old, Glover Teixeira became the second oldest fighter to win a belt in UFC history when, in edition number 267, he submitted via rear naked choke Jan Blachowicz. Before that, the miner had already had the opportunity against Jon Jones and also went through a sequence of victories and defeats in his career and, finally, he had redemption with the light heavyweight title (up to 93kg.) with a series of six consecutive victories.
Julianna Pena
J. Peña shocked the world by submitting A. Nunes in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufcespanol
Eight years since she was the champion of 'The Ultimate Fighter 18', Julianna Pena had the greatest acclaim of his career. Former Olympic silver medalist, the Venezuelan achieved a spectacular comeback against Sara McMann in January and, with one of the greatest 'zebras' in the history of the sport, also saw Amanda nunes give the 'three slaps' to wear the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg) of Dana White's organization.
Kamaru Usman
K. Usman retained the welterweight belt in UFC 268. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Considered by many as the best fighter today, Kamaru Usman had a special 2021. Welterweight champion (under 77kg), the Nigerian was the only one to defend his belt three times against Jorge masvidal (with one of the most beautiful knockouts of the year), Gilbert Durinho and his arch-rival, Colby covington. Additionally, he broke the division's record for consecutive wins (15).
Charles of the Bronx
C. Do Bronx is the current UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
At the top of the list, Charles of the Bronx. After winning Tony Ferguson in December 2020, the São Paulo native had the chance for the vacant belt (after the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov) and it did not disappoint. In the fight against Michael chandler, he suffered a knockdown and got into trouble, but was crowned after 19 seconds. of the second round. On the same night, he also broke the UFC record for most victories by submission or knockout (17).
For his first attempt to defend his title, the champion silenced his critics and, despite having entered the bookmakers as an underdog, he also 'knew how to suffer' before finishing Dustin poirier in the third round – also breaking the record for bonuses received in the organization's history (18). The favela won!
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