UFC Rewind: Aldo vs Hominick and the Top-5 Fights of 2011

It's the half-way point of the calendar year and that means the half-way point in the UFC 2011 schedule.

There have been eleven UFC events to date, and it is not slowing down as we roll into the heart of summer. Fight fans are certainly getting our fill, and we can't complain about much in regards to the top promotion in the game, the UFC.

Top-ten lists are usually reserved for full, year-end recaps, so with that in mind I have made a top-five of UFC fights so far in 2011. I have had trouble keeping up with all of the fights in every promotion, and there have been some great local fights already that have taken place in my neighborhood—Parisyan vs Ford and Horodecki vs. Castillo, come quickly to mind. 

Here we go.

5. Jeremy Stephens vs. Marcus Davis (Jan 1 2011 UFC 125)

Stephens landed a desperate knockout, sending Davis out of the UFC

A quick look at this fight saw grizzled veteran and hanging-on-by-a-thread Marcus Davis utilizing his boxing skills and experience to out point the young banging machine, Jeremy Stephens, in a lightweight battle.

Davis executed his technically superior skills and game plan on Stephens for two full rounds. It was Davis's debut at lightweight, and he looked solid and on his way to a nice, career-boosting win.

Sensing he was down two rounds, Stephens came charging out with pressure and power shots on Davis, pushing his pace up and smothering Davis in tight. Stephens loaded up and just missed on a few occasions before finally, at 2:30 into the third round, he landed a huge right hand that sent Davis down to the canvas and out like a light.

4. Kyle Kingsbury vs. Fabio Maldonado (June 3, 2011 TUF 13 Finale)

Muay Thai and take downs won the war against Maldonado

These two fighters came out guns a blazin' in their fight, with Kyle Kingsbury setting the pace and getting the best of it early in round one. He carried a nice clinch-striking game into total control of the fight throughout, but Maldonado was more than game to stand and try to land a bomb to end Kingsbury's night.

As the fight went on and Maldonado scored shots, Kingsbury would occasionally get takedowns to stuff the momentum of Fabio's attack. He didn't do much damage with the takedowns, but they scored nonetheless and carried him through, making the difference in his final-decision win.

Both fighters were bloody and battered at the end of this war.

3. Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick (April 30, 2011 UFC 129)

Aldo's leg kicks were a huge factor in winning the fight vs. Hominick

I wanted to put this fight at number one due to the fact that I was in the building and Mark Hominick is a local fighter who has represented this part of the world in the game for years now. It lands at number three because of how good the first two fights on this list were and also because Aldo pretty much dominated the fight through the first four rounds.

It was the fifth round—and the stones that Hominick showed in it—that made this fight as epic as it was. He came back and tested Aldo like never before, taking some of the gloss off of Jose in the process.

2. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II (Jan 1, 2011 UFC 125)

Maynard had Edgar hurt badly early, but the champ recovered and came back

The lightweight belt was on the line on New Year's day, and Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard gave the fans a nice gift to ring in 2011.

Edgar was hurt badly early but showed a champion's heart by recovering and coming back to last until the end, winning a majority draw decision to keep his belt. Maynard was strong in this fight and tried to be true to his nickname throughout, and he nearly succeeded in deposing the resilient champ.

Edgar, for his part, recovered and gained his footing in the fight, using his superior speed and footwork to score and last against a hungry Gray Maynard. The trilogy is set, and it is only a matter of time before the score is settled between these two.

1. Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann (March 3, 2011 UFC on Versus 3)

Sanchez was the busier fighter and took the win vs. Kampmann

There seems to be a trend of sorts when you talk about the fights of Diego Sanchez. He has been true to his nightmare form consistently as he has brought us fireworks vs. Penn, Guida, and now Kampmann earlier this year.

Some people, myself included, think that Kampmann really won that fight, but I have seen boring Kampmann fights before, so you have to give credit to Sanchez for pushing the pace. He flurried often against Kampmann, and Martin responded with some solid technical fighting of his own. Martin's striking was pinpoint and his defense just as solid, yet in the end Sanchez got the win based on pressure and activity.

Some honorable mention fights that round out my top 10 are Herman vs. Einemo UFC 131; Stann vs. Santiago UFC 130; McDonald vs. Figuroa UFC Fight Night Live; and Cerrone vs. Kelly UFC 126.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Feature Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA.

Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma .