UFC Mid-Year Awards 2011: Top 5 Stories of the Year

After a long stretch of major MMA events ended with UFC 132, we are now midway through the calender year. As we wait for the MMA schedule to pick back up, Bleacher Report will be taking a look at several different mid-year awards.

This installment will focus on the UFC Story of the Year, which will be handed out to the story that has had the biggest impact on the UFC in 2011. Already, there have been plenty of options for the award, but we had to narrow it down to five nominees.

Here are the top five UFC stories from the first half of 2011.

5. UFC Plans on Adding Flyweight Division

Shortly after the UFC's influx of former WEC featherweights and bantamweights, UFC President Dana White revealed that the UFC was planning on adding yet another weight division.

Although he didn't promise anything, White said the introduction of a 135-pound flyweight division was possible by the end of 2011.

Almost immediately, current UFC bantamweights such as Demetrious Johnson voiced their willingness to drop to the new division.

The flyweight division would be the UFC's eighth weight classification, which would mean even more title fights.

4. Jon Jones Catches a Thief and Becomes Champion on the Same Day

On the day of his UFC 128 title shot against Mauricio Rua, Jon Jones went to a local park to meditate. As Jones exited the car, he witnessed a burglar running off after stealing from an elderly couple.

Jones and his coaches, Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, chased down the thief and restrained him until the police arrived.

Later that night, Jones dominated Rua to become the UFC light heavyweight champion. After showing he was an unstoppable force inside the Octagon, Jones' ability to fight crime only furthered his mystique.

3. Steven Seagal's Involvement with Black House MMA

After his front kick knockout of Vitor Belfort at UFC 126, Anderson Silva credited Steven Seagal for helping him perfect the strike. At that point, many saw Seagal's involvement with Black House MMA as a publicity stunt.

Then, Lyoto Machida ended Randy Couture's career with a front kick. Following the fight, Machida also praised Seagal for helping him learn the kick.

Whether Seagal has truly been involved in the training of these two fighters or not, his presence has made for one of the more interesting storylines of 2011.

2. Nate Marquardt Realeased by the UFC

After failing a medical exam, Nate Marquardt was removed from his UFC on Versus 4 fight against Rick Story only moments before weigh-ins. Following that news, UFC President Dana White immediately released Marquardt from the organization.

Later, it was revealed that Marquardt's failed medical exam was due to increased levels of testosterone in his system, a result of testosterone replacement therapy.

Marquardt has since signed with BAMMA, but his first opponent in the new organization has not yet been named.

1. Zuffa Purchases Strikeforce

In a stunning move, UFC parent company Zuffa purchased Strikeforce in March 2011. Despite Dana White's initial statement on transaction, it has been anything but business as usual.

Already, two of Strikeforce's biggest names have made the move to the UFC. Jason Miller is already coaching for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, while former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz is preparing for a title fight against UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter.