Lawler, Ronda and TJ are among the best of 2014 for SUPER FIGHTS. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Production (Josh Hedges/UFC)
The year 2014 was remarkable for several athletes, but among the many names that passed through the ring in these 12 months, some achieved greater achievements and deserved special attention. Therefore, the SUPER FIGHTS chooses the five best fighters of the year 2014.
On the list are three new champions, an athlete who stood out for going undefeated throughout the year in four fights and one of the biggest stars, if not the biggest star, in MMA today.
Check out the “Fighter of the Year” list from SUPER FIGHTS:
1.Robbie Lawler
R. Lawler won the welterweight belt in December. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Considering his work as a whole, it was simply impossible not to award “Ruthless” the title of “Fighter of the Year 2014”. After emerging as a great promise more than a decade ago and going through a path marked by fluctuations and many disappointments, the veteran won the UFC welterweight belt at the most unlikely moment of his career.
With a practically flawless return to Ultimate, Lawler dispatched potential challengers to reach a title fight and ended up defeated in a contested manner to John hendricks in March. While his rival was recovering from an injury, Robbie dispatched Jake ellenberger and Matt Brown and qualified for a rematch.
In December, the duel was repeated and the result was once again controversial. This time however, with the decision in favor of Robbie Lawler, who secured the first UFC belt in the history of the renowned American Top Team gym and first place in our ranking.
2. TJ Dillashaw
Dillashaw won the title by beating Barão and later defended it against J. Soto. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Were it not for the turnaround of Robbie Lawler at the end of the year, TJ Dillashaw would go down as the best athlete of 2014. With an impressive evolution since being runner-up in TUF 14, Tyler Jeffrey shocked the world in May when he came on as a substitute at UFC 173 and broke the champion's unbeaten streak of more than nine years. Renan Barao.
Showing mind-blowing movement and with his confidence soaring, Dillashaw became another fighter throughout 2014 and ended the year in the Top-10 pound-for-pound in Ultimate. Without Dominick Cruz ahead, the Team Alpha Male athlete may face Barão again, but it also opens the door for a superfight against José Aldo ou Demetrious Johnson.
3. Fabrício Werdum
Werdum shows off the interim heavyweight belt. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
If the watchword on our list is overcoming, Fabricio Werdum He did his homework masterfully. Five years after leaving the UFC through the back door, “Vai Cavalo” reached (almost) the top of the heavyweight category and won a new belt for Brazil again, something that hadn't happened since July 2012.
With an impressive evolution in his stand-up game, the jiu-jitsu specialist also became lethal in striking and supplanted Travis Browne and Mark Hunt in 2014 with very sharp muay thai to become interim champion of the under-120 kg division and stamp his passport for a duel against Cain Velazquez in 2015.
4.Donald Cerrone
Cowboy Cerrone dispatched four tough opponents in 2014. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Considered by many just as a division gatekeeper, Cerrone completely changed his trajectory in the octagon by publicly admitting that he was in debt thanks to his disorderly lifestyle and that he needed to fight several times in 2014 to balance his finances.
The result was a magical year for Cowboy, who added difficulties to his challenges and convincingly beat Adriano Martins, Edson Barboza, Jim Miller and former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. Now, Cerrone faces Myles Jury at UFC 182 with an eye on a shot at the previously unthinkable lightweight belt.
5. Round Rousey
Ronda won twice in 2014, both by knockout, and shone almost as a lone star in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Without Anderson Silva, Georges St Pierre, Brock Lesnar and com Chris Weidman e Jon Jones little active in 2014, Ronda Rousey She shined alone in the UFC. The blonde stuck both feet into the world of showbusiness and was by far the biggest MMA star of the year.
With easy and quick victories, which together don't add up to a minute and a half on the clock, over two of her most dangerous rivals so far, Ronda showed another side of her game and for the first year in her meteoric career she didn't submit any opponent with a lock. arm. On the contrary, there were two knockouts for the muse, on the Olympic medalist in the wrestling Sara McMann and the jiu-jitsu specialist Alexis Davis.
Honorable mentions:
R. dos Anjos became the number one lightweight contender. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Neil Magny: owner of the biggest undefeated streak of the year, with five victories in 2014.
Rafael dos Anjos: great evolution throughout the year and ended 2014 guaranteed as the next challenger for the lightweight belt.
Kelvin Gastelum: Still quite young, he managed to remain undefeated as a professional and establish himself in the tough welterweight division.
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