May was a sensational month. It had everything. Stipe Miocic and Brandon Halsey carried out brutal beatdowns. Chris Weidman and Carlos Condit returned to the cage, reminding us how much we had missed them. We even saw a new light-heavyweight champion crowned in what will be remembered as one of the most exciting cards of the year once 2015 is done and dusted.
With so much great action to wade through, the Last Word on Sports MMA department have compiled their monthly list of the very best fights available. Using our complex, top-secret scoring system, here is the top three countdown to to our May fight of the month.
#3 – Alex Chambers vs Kailin Curran, UFC Fight Night 65
Votes: 1st x 1, 3rd x 1
As an undersized strawweight who had lost her initial fight during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, Alex Chambers’ UFC future was on the line when she stepped into the cage against Kailin Curran in Adelaide. For two and a half rounds Chambers was beaten up by her stronger, more physically imposing opponent. The home nation favorite refused to give up, displaying skill and composure under pressure to capitalize on a mistake by Curran and submit her. The performance of the night bonus she was awarded was richly deserved.
#2 – Nik Lentz vs Charles Oliveira, UFC Fight Night 67
Votes: 1st x 1, 2nd x 2
By the time Nik Lentz and Charles Oliveira entered the cage in front of a mere 3,500 fans in Goiania, much of the viewing public was in desperate need of a pick-me-up. For long periods the card failed to command attention, and any remaining life had been sucked out of it by Ryan Jimmo and Francimar Barroso. Oliveira’s third round submission victory provided the perfect jolt. In the words of our very own Victor Vargas, “the battle between Oliveira and Lentz was mixed martial arts at its finest. It had everything a true MMA fan can ask for. Takedowns, clinch fighting, aggressive ground attacks, back and forth action.”. Victor’s right, it had all that in abundance, and will live long in the memories of those who saw it.
#1 – Andrei Arlovski vs Travis Browne, UFC 187
Votes: 1st x 5, 2nd x 1
Ahead of UFC 187, only a brave few believed Andrei Arlovski could beat Travis Browne. The general concensus was that while Browne was some way behind heavyweight leaders Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, he was right up there with the best of the rest in the division. Arlovski’s best efforts to restore public confidence in himself, following a four fight losing streak through 2009 – 2011, had been ignored. Browne would tag him, and when he did Arlovski would crumble.
That misconception is what made the fight so enthralling. It wasn’t only that Arlovski was unexpectedly connecting, consistently, staggering and hurting his opponent. It was that all the while there remained this sense that one wild shot from Browne could still end it all.
Then it came. With Arlovski on the verge of finishing the fight, Browne connected with a big right hand and Arlovski tumbled. Here was the moment that had been expected. This was where Arlovski’s fragility would see him snatch defeat from his perceived glass-jaw of victory. Except it didn’t.
Instead Arlovski weathered the brief storm, fought back to his feet, and went back on the offensive. An uppercut landed before a right hook had Browne slumping against the fence. The fight was stopped and Andrei Arlovski, UFC Heavyweight Champion all the way back in 2005, was once again a serious title contender.
Other fights to receive votes
Daniel Cormier vs Anthony Johnson, UFC 187 – 1 x 1st
Carlos Condit vs Thiago Alves, UFC Fight Night 67 – 1 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd
Tiffany van Soest vs Bernise Alldis, Lion Fight 22 – 1 x 2nd
Shannon Wiratchai vs Amir Khan, ONE Championship: Warrior’s Quest – 1 x 2nd
Urijah Faber vs Frankie Edgar, UFC Fight Night 66 – 1 x 2nd
Neil Magny vs Hyun Gyu Lim, UFC Fight Night 66 – 1 x 2nd
Mark Munoz vs Luke Barnatt, UFC Fight Night 66 – 2 x 3rd
Chris Weidman vs Vitor Belfort, UFC 187 – 1 x 3rd
Stipe Miocic vs Mark Hunt, UFC Fight Night 65 – 1 x 3rd
Phillipe Nover vs Yui Chul Nam, UFC Fight Night 66 – 1 x 3rd
Jon Delos Reyes vs Roldan Sangcha-An, UFC Fight Night 66 – 1 x 3rd
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