The 50 Best MMA Images from 2011

A picture is worth 1,000 words, so prepare yourself to look at 50,000 words worth of pictures.

We're going to take a look back through the last 10 months of MMA action, which began with UFC 125 on New Year's Day. Since then, 2011 has turned into one of the most eventful years in MMA history.

The year has included everything from emotional retirements to groundbreaking mergers and acquisitions. All of those events are included among the best 50 images from 2011.

Jeremy Stephens Sends Marcus Davis Packing

After losing the first two rounds on the scorecards, Jeremy Stephens recorded a come-from-behind knockout win over Marcus Davis at UFC 125. The loss resulted in Davis' release from the UFC.

Danny Downes Is a Tough S.O.B.

At the finale for Season 13 of "The Ultimate Fighter," Danny Downes was defeated by Jeremy Stephens. Though he lost, Downes showed a ton of heart by refusing to tap when he appeared to stuck in a painful kimura attempt.

It's a Twister!

In a rematch of his epic first bout against Leonard Garcia, which he lost, Chan Sung Jung caught Garcia in an extremely rare twister submission. This was the first time the twister had ever been used in the UFC.

Yves Edwards Goes Down Hard

In one of the most impressive knockouts of 2011, Sam Stout landed a looping hook that had Yves Edwards unconscious before he even hit the ground.

Since it wasn't as meaningful as some others, I might not go down as the Knockout of the Year, but it may have been the most spectacular. 

Pat Curran Blasts Marlon Sandro

With a brutal head kick, Pat Curran became the only Bellator fighter ever to win tournaments in multiple divisions. The win also earned Curran a title shot against Joe Warren.

Travis Wiuff Makes Bellator History

At the hands of Travis Wiuff, Bellator light heavyweight champion Christian M'Pumbu became the first titleholder in the organization's history to lose in a non-title bout.

Down Goes Gracie

Considered to be one of the last hopes for the reemergence of the Gracie family in MMA, Roger Gracie was knocked out by Muhammed Lawal.

The Feud Boils Over

In one of the biggest rivalries of 2011, Michael Bisping and Jorge Rivera let things get personal. After beating Rivera in controversial fashion at UFC 127, Bisping spat in the direction of his opponent's corner.

Brian Ebersole Shocks Chris Lytle

A UFC newcomer, Brian Ebersole was expected to lose badly to Chris Lytle at UFC 127. Instead, Ebersole, who shaved his chest hair into an arrow for the fight, earned a victory in a Fight of the Night performance.

Charlie Brenneman Replaces Nate Marquardt

After Nate Marquardt failed a medical exam due to elevated levels of testosterone, Charlie Brenneman stepped in for a fight with Rick Story.

Competing in Pittsburgh, near his hometown, Brenneman pulled off an incredible upset.

Rory MacDonald Ragdolls Nate Diaz

Considered one of the best up-and-coming welterweights in the sport, Rory MacDonald threw Nate Diaz around the Octagon like he would a bantamweight.

After a long layoff, the performance reminded everyone how good MacDonald can become.

Jon Jones Earns a Title Shot

With a dominant win over another up-and-coming light heavyweight, Jon Jones earned the first title shot of his career, which came on short notice against Mauricio Rua. Despite the short notice, Jones proceeded to dispose of Rua with relative ease.

Josh Grispi Exposed

Though he had been scheduled to compete for the featherweight title at the event, Josh Grispi was dominated by Dustin Poirier at UFC 125.

After another loss to George Roop later in the year, Grispi's UFC career is now in jeopardy.

Chris Lytle Leaves on Top

Although he had won five of his final six fights, Chris Lytle opted for retirement after picking up a submission victory of Dan Hardy at UFC on Versus 4.

Mirko Filipovic's Fall Continues

While he kept the fight close through the first two rounds, Mirko Filipovic suffered another knockout loss at UFC 128. If "Cro Cop" loses to Roy Nelson on Saturday, his MMA career could likely be over.

UFC Returns to Brazil

For the first time in more than a decade, the UFC returned to Brazil for UFC 134. Brazilian fighters did not disappoint at the event, as Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira picked up a huge knockout win over Brendan Schaub in his first-ever fight in his home country.

Chris Leben Knocks out Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva's slow path toward retirement continued at UFC 132, where he was knocked out by Chris Leben in under 30 seconds.

Daniel Cormier Is for Real

Added to the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix as a replacement for Alistair Overeem, Daniel Cormier completely outclassed Antonio Silva in the tournament's semifinal round.

Cormier's Olympic wrestling credentials make him a serious threat in the heavyweight division.

Josh Barnett Reemerges as an Elite Heavyweight

With his inclusion in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, Josh Barnett has been given the chance to climb his way back up the heavyweight rankings.

With dominant victories over Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov, Barnett could make a return to the UFC, which seemed impossible after he was stripped of the organization's heavyweight title for failing a drug test.

Luke Rockhold Dethrones Ronaldo Souza

In a title fight that many believed he wasn't deserving of competing in, Luke Rockhold earned a decision victory over Ronaldo Souza to become the Strikeforce middleweight champion.

Mauricio Rua Gets Revenge

In a rematch of an upset loss he suffered in his UFC debut, Mauricio Rua avenged his prior loss to Forrest Griffin by recording a first-round knockout.

Rua's victory also came in front of his fellow countrymen in the UFC's return to Brazil at UFC 134.

Melvin Guillard Ready to Reach Potential?

With an impressive upset win over Evan Dunham, many believed Melvin Guillard was ready to finally fulfill the lofty potential that many believed he had. Until...

Another Setback for Melvin Guillard

Just as it seemed Melvin Guillard was finally about to reach his full potential, he suffered a submission loss to Joe Lauzon, who was a major underdog heading into their fight at UFC 136.

Diego Sanchez Battered but Not Beaten

In a controversial decision, Diego Sanchez walked away with a win over Martin Kampmann at UFC on Versus 3. Though he was dominated in the stand-up department, the judges favored Sanchez's aggression.

Pat Barry Knocked out by Unconscious Cheick Kongo

In the main event of UFC on Versus 4, Pat Barry appeared to have Cheick Kongo finished. However, Kongo somehow stood back up after being knocked down multiple times and scored a brutal knockout.

Brian Stann Knocks out Steel-Chinned Chris Leben

Chris Leben has widely become recognized for having one of the best chins in MMA. However, Brian Stann was still able to knock Leben out, joining Anderson Silva as one of only two fighters to do so.

Tito Ortiz Buries Ryan Bader, Keeps Career Alive

For the first time in nearly five years, Tito Ortiz was able to dust of his gravedigger celebration with an upset victory over Ryan Bader. Had Ortiz lost the fight, his UFC career would have come to an end.

Fedor Emelianenko Brutalized by Antonio Silva

Some thought Fedor Emelianenko's loss to Fabricio Werdum might have been a fluke. However, a second straight loss, this time due to doctor's stoppage, showed that Emelianenko's career may really be coming to an end.

The End of a Legendary Career?

After getting off to a strong start in his fight against Josh Koscheck at UFC 135, Matt Hughes suffered a second straight loss via knockout.

He refused to say he would be retiring, but admitted he'd be going on the shelf for awhile.

The End of a Legendary Career!

Heading into UFC 129, Randy Couture was already prepared to retire. A knockout loss to Lyoto Machida only confirmed what Couture's plans had already been.

A New Welterweight Contender Emerges

At UFC Fight Night 25, Jake Ellenberger met Jake Shields in the main event. Though an underdog, Ellenberger ran through Shields in a first-round knockout, which catapulted him into the mix for a welterweight title shot.

Chael Sonnen Is Back

In his first fight in more than a year, Chael Sonnen took care of Brian Stann with a submission. In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Chael Sonnen called out UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Tony Ferguson Is "The Ultimate Fighter"

Under the guidance of Brock Lesnar, Tony Ferguson rose above his competition to earn a UFC contract through "The Ultimate Fighter."

Nick Diaz Shows He's Ready for the UFC

Heading into 2011, there was plenty of buzz about how Nick Diaz would fare in the UFC's welterweight division. However, his winning streak didn't include many big names.

That changed when Diaz scored a first-round knockout against Paul Daley earlier this year.

Alexis Vila Bursts onto the Scene

Taking on Bellator featherweight champion Joe Warren in the opening round of a bantamweight tournament, Alexis Vila knocked Warren out cold.

Vila has since moved onto the tournament finals, where he will meet Eduardo Dantas.

Mark Hominick Sprouts an Extra Head

This picture doesn't really do it justice, but Mark Hominick was given a massive hematoma at UFC 129, where he was defeated by Jose Aldo. 

Third Time Not a Charm for Kenny Florian

In his third chance to capture a UFC title, Kenny Florian was defeated by Jose Aldo. While many thought the loss might mark the end of Florian's career, he has decided to return to the lightweight division.

Jon Jones Defends Belt Against Quinton Jackson

In his first title defense as UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones dominated Quinton Jackson and further proved that all the hype that surrounded him was deserved.

Urijah Faber Falls Just Short

In his first title fight under the UFC banner, Urijah Faber couldn't get the job done in a rematch against bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. In a close fight, Cruz walked away with the decision victory.

A New Face of Women's MMA

With a submission victory over Marloes Coenen, Miesha Tate earned a Strikeforce belt and quite possibly became the new face for women's MMA.

Anderson Silva Still the Face of Men's MMA

After a near-defeat at the hands of Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva returned with a vengeance. At UFC 126, Silva knocked Vitor Belfort out with an unbelievable front kick. 

Dan Henderson Earns Another Belt

After leaving the UFC and suffering a disappointing loss to Jake Shields, Dan Henderson returned to form with a victory over Rafael Cavalcante. The win earned Henderson another title to add to his long list of accomplishments in MMA.

Draw

After nearly being knocked out by Gray Maynard in the first round, Frankie Edgar battled back to retain his title with a draw at UFC 125. The decision set up a third meeting between the two fighters.

Dan Henderson Boots Fedor Emelianenko from Strikeforce

In a matchup of legends, Dan Henderson knocked Fedor Emelianenko out in an incredible back-and-forth first round.

The loss led to Emelianenko's departure from Strikeforce. The Russian heavyweight is now preparing for a fight with Jeff Monson.

Frankie Edgar Finally Solves Gray Maynard

After being rocked by Gray Maynard in the first round yet again, Frankie Edgar rallied back and scored a knockout victory over the only man he has been unable to beat in his career.

Jon Jones Lives Up to the Hype

With all the pressure and lofty expectations placed on his shoulders, Jon Jones captured the light heavyweight title with an incredible performance against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Jones was then expected to defend his belt against former teammate Rashad Evans, but injuries have prevented that bout from happening.

Fight for the Troops

In January, the UFC visited Fort Hood in Texas. The event was the second time the organization has hosted a fight card in front of a strictly armed forces audience.

WEC Talent Joins the UFC

Although some WEC fighters made the move to the UFC in 2010, the major influx that results from a merger of the two promotions began in 2011.

In addition to a ton of new talent and two new divisions, the merger brought UFC fans Brittney Palmer.

Zuffa Purchases Strikeforce

In a surprise move, the UFC's parent company decided to acquire Strikeforce. The move has allowed the UFC to bring in contenders such as Dan Henderson, Nick Diaz and Alistair Overeem.

UFC Signs with Fox

In the organization's first network television deal, the UFC has agreed to a long-term partnership with Fox.

The UFC's first appearance on the network will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.