A Year To Remember: The Top Five Fights Of 2013 (So Far)

2013 has been a great year for MMA fans so far. With a litany of wars and titles changing hands, there’s been no shortage of action-packed cards to satisfy your blood lust.

And the biggest fight of the year is still set to take place.

But there’s plenty of time to talk about UFC 168’s blockbuster rematch between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. Today, we’re going to look back at the fights that made this year one of the best showcases of talent our beloved sport has ever seen.

Here are my top five fights of the year. With so many awesome bouts it was a tough list to compile. Let me know your favorites in the comments below.

1. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC 165:

An easy choice for “Fight of the Year” for me (barring an unbelievable war of some kind at UFC 168), this fight will go down in history as one of, if not the best fights in Octagon history. “The Mauler” had “Bones” on the ropes early on; taking the fight to the champion like no one had even come close to doing before.

Known primarily for his striking, Gustafsson also miraculously became the first person in UFC history to take down the dominant champion. However, “Gus” gassed late in the bout, allowing an opening for Jones to unleash his trademark unorthodox strikes. A fourth round spinning back elbow to Gustafsson’s forehead was the turning point for me.

In the end, it was close but I thought Jones edged out the challenger. It was a war that left me unable to sleep all night. I hope to see another fight this good someday, and I also hope that Gustafsson gets another shot at the champ sooner than later.

2. Mark Hunt vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva – UFC Fight Night 33:

Despite the fact that this bout has been marred lately by “Bigfoot’s” positive test for elevated testosterone levels following the fight, I still think this is the best heavyweight war to ever take place in the Octagon.

With two heavy hitters like these, everyone was certain that this one wouldn’t go the distance. Somehow it did, and Australian fans were treated to a bloody, back-and-forth battle that ultimately ended in a draw.

“Bigfoot” needs to get his medical staff right, or maybe he just needs to stop blaming other people for his losses and mistakes, but regardless this fight was one that had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Each fighter had their chance to finish it but Hunt and Silva were just too tough to put away. It was unbelievable that these two hulking behemoths were even standing in the fifth round, let alone still throwing punches. Unbelievable.

3. Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez – UFC 166:

This war between two hard-nosed challengers wasn’t the most technical of affairs but fights involving “The Dream” rarely are. Sanchez came into the fight unranked; Melendez knew that didn’t matter.

Despite being punched in the face countless times by the former Strikeforce lightweight titleholder, Sanchez persevered as he always does to come back in the last round. He rocked Melendez with a huge uppercut that arguably knocked out “El Nino,” sending him crashing into the cage wall and probably waking him up in the process.

Sanchez may have made a mistake when he followed with a choke attempt that didn’t work out and allowed Melendez to recover.

In any case, the battle was a slugfest that fans won’t soon forget. It could be called the best bout of the year, but I think that the first two on this list are better by a slight margin.

4. Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann – UFC on Fuel TV 8:

This fight, which turned out to be Stann’s last-ever pro MMA bout, was a rousing return to Japan for former Pride FC champion Silva. Stann was more than willing to stand and trade with the dangerous “Axe Murderer,” and fans were rewarded with a standup war.

Both fighters had the chance for a knockout as wild hooks were thrown with vicious intent. Stann has since stated that he knew he could have won the fight by making it less exciting and taking it to the ground, but he obliged the fans.

Perhaps he should have played it safer because an ecstatic Silva ultimately floored him.

But then fans wouldn’t have been treated to this all-time great. So kudos goes to Stann for going out like a true warrior. Silva, meanwhile, will go on to face his archrival Chael Sonnen at the end of the next season of TUF: Brazil.

5. Mark Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos – UFC 160:

“The Super Samoan’s” second appearance on this list came last May when he faced off with former heavyweight champ dos Santos. Hunt was a late replacement for Alistair Overeem, and he came to fight.

For a moment it looked like Hunt had the upper hand with his vicious left hooks, but the tides were soon turned. “Cigano” threw and landed a massive overhand right that dropped the normally iron-chinned Hunt.

From there it was all downhill for “The Super Samoan,” as he suffered a gruesome broken toe and was finished off by an incredible spinning wheel kick from dos Santos.

It was an amazing fight that proved Hunt’s warrior spirit while at the same time showcasing dos Santos’ improving striking skills. Great fight.

This year has been full of so many quality fights that it’s hard to make a top five. But I had to do it.

What are your favorites? And what order would you rank them in? I’d love to hear your opinion on one of the greatest years the UFC has ever seen. 

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski for USA TODAY Sports