L. Edwards after victory in UFC 278. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The 2022 season was marked by strong emotions for MMA lovers, who had the opportunity to follow fighters achieving unlikely outcomes and etching their names in the history of the sport. And, as a way of honoring them, the SUPER FIGHTS separated a retrospective in the last week of 2022 with the main 'Zebras of the Year' in the world of mixed martial arts. Shall we go to the list?
#5) Sean O'Malley (x Petr Yan)
To open the list, we have the victory of Sean O'Malley against Petr yan, fighting in UFC 280. 'Suga' entered the biggest challenge of his career and was an underdog, at a rate of R$3,15 for every R$1,00 bet at the bookmakers. He, however, managed to add intensity to his blows and managed to overwhelm the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg).
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At the end of three rounds, O'Malley was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges and the repercussion was 'hot' on social media, with a large part of MMA fans disagreeing with the result. Sean now occupies first place in the division and can secure a chance for the title in his next appearance.
#4) Carla Esparza (x Rose Namajunas)
C. Esparza (left) and R. Namajunas (right) had a tepid confrontation, which frustrated fans at UFC 274. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
The next fight on the list is controversial. This is because, according to FightAnalytics.com, only 34 blows were launched by Carla esparza e Rose namajunas during all five rounds. The fighter, however, won the judges' split decision and wore the straw belt in the UFC 274.
Carla was an underdog and, despite having already won the other meeting between the two, which had taken place in 2014, she did not have the 'support' of the bookmakers. She arrived with R$ 2,72 in quotes, but broke the bank.
#3) Matheus Buffa (x Bruno Cappelozza)
B. Cappelozza receives a blow from M. Buffa. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter PFL
A dark horse at the bookmakers, Matheus Buffa managed to show that he had the quality to reach the PFL finals. After being overcome in his debut, the fighter recovered against Bruno Cappelozza, who was one of the biggest names on the organization's recent roster, having won the award the previous season.
Buffa, then, was superior in two of the three rounds, imposing his pace of play and touching Cappelozza's face in the center of the cage. He even managed to overcome his compatriot in great moments and got the 'bronze medal' on the list of SUPER FIGHTS.
#2) Larissa Pacheco (x Kayla Harrison)
Larissa pacheco x Kayla harrison stared at Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
Larissa pacheco shocked the world in the PFL finals in November this year. The Brazilian made history by overcoming the 'untouchable' status Kayla harrison in the unanimous decision of the judges and, as a bonus, it earned US$ 1 million (around R$ 5,3 million, at the previous price).
With an intense pace, Larissa broke Kayla's takedown style, defended herself from positions on the ground and also managed to be superior in striking. Previously quoted as an underdog at a ratio of R$5,60 to R$1,12 for the North American, she took revenge in the other two fights and provided her rival's first setback in MMA.
#1) Leon Edwards (x Kamaru Usman)
L. Edwards (left) beat K. Usman in the UFC 278. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter
And at the top of the list, with the gold medal, is Leon edwards and his 'film script'. In August of this year, the Englishman was fighting for the belt and had problems dealing with the Nigerian's aggressive style. He, in fact, had only won one round out of four and just needed a devastating outcome to win the title. But the knockout came.
In the fifth round, in the final stretch of the fight, Edwards landed an incredible high kick and knocked out Usman, who fell with his 'eyes open', to write one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of MMA.
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