2012 MMA Fighter of the Year (Poll)

Cammo101 · Post #1 » by **Cammo101** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:06 am

Back again for year 3.

cowboyronnie · Post #2 » by **cowboyronnie** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:56 am

Nah, nah, not Benson. Jones ran through each of his opponents. And it doesn't look like he could possibly be challenged at 205 aside from getting Serra'd maybe, but I don't think so. He's head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

Cammo101 · Post #3 » by **Cammo101** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:38 am

cowboyronnie wrote:Nah, nah, not Benson. Jones ran through each of his opponents. And it doesn't look like he could possibly be challenged at 205 aside from getting Serra'd maybe, but I don't think so. He's head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

I agree with that, but most of Jones showing his greatness was in 2011. In 2012 Jones steamrolled Rashad Evans and nearly lost his arm to a 185 pounder in Belfort. While certainly a better fighter, I'm not sure that is as impressive as beating Edgar twice and embarrassing Nate Diaz.

Post #4 » by **CPT** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 1:29 pm

Hmm...all of the choices seem kind of lame after Jones' 2011.

Jones and Silva both only fought twice, and once each against a guy they had no business fighting. Though they also both had the biggest fights of their careers in the other fights.

Bendo and Hendricks both had great years, but both have a questionable decision on their record this year.

Is it Rousey? Both of her opponents were legit #2 in the world kind of opponents and she blew them both out of the water. Yet I don't know if I can bring myself to vote for her.

REDDzone · Post #5 » by **REDDzone** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 1:44 pm

I can't decide. Gut said Bendo, but Frankie won their second fight (I was rooting for AND picked Bendo...but Frankie won), so no go for me there.

Gold Chain · Post #6 » by **Gold Chain** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:27 pm

Jonny Bones.

He has just kept rolling from last year.

Bernman · Post #7 » by **Bernman** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 4:34 pm

Yeah, there are no standout candidates for this award this year. You can pick at all of them based on win amount, quality, style, and deservedness (Bendo).

That's why my choice is someone off the radar: Cub Swanson. Cub had no losses, with a hearty win total of 3, they all were at least decent for the division, and he beat them all with knockouts after leading up until that point. People will probably question this based on win quality primarily, but:

- Oliveira had a lot of hype as a 145'er coming off an easy dispatching of Brookins
- Pearson was gaining a lot of hype at 145, he beat Junior Assuncao, most thought Barboza, Fisher, and subsequently floored G-Sot
- Roop was coming off what I thought was a win over Hioki, a domination of Grispi, and before losing to Hominick he KO'ed KZ.

IMO, the award should go to Cub.