UFC: Power Ranking the Top 10 Events of 2011

As we approach the end of December, more specifically UFC 141, it's important to remember how we got here.

This year may have offered the best fights ever in a 12-month span.

From Anderson Silva and Jon Jones KO title defenses, to two championship bouts between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, this year has encompassed unbelievable knockouts, submissions, comeback victories and legendary showdowns.

To be honest with you, constructing this list was a lot harder than I initially expected, considering the magnitude of fights and depth of talent that the UFC gives its fans on a monthly basis.

With that said, along with the expectations of UFC 141 being a legitimate PPV event to ring in the new year, here are the top 10 UFC events of 2011.

I apologize in advance if anybody is offended because their favorite fighters, or fights, fail to make this list.  There were simply too many jaw-dropping events. 

And a quick heads up.  George St. Pierre and BJ Penn are not on this list.  Probably the only time over the past five years in which you can't call me crazy for not throwing them on here.  Enjoy.

10. UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem

There's a reason why I'm putting an event that hasn't even happened on a list among the top fights/events of the year.

Simply put, UFC 141 is going to be nuts.  It could be much higher on this list if everything goes as planned, but for now, let's just say it makes the cut.

Point in hand, Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem are set to rip each other's heads off for a chance at Junior dos Santos' UFC heavyweight title. 

Considering these guys are easily two of the most physically terrifying heavyweights in MMA history (except Bob Sapp), this fight has all the ingredients to be legendary.

But beyond the initial glitz and glamor of a Lesnar Octagon fight, UFC 141 offers fans two more bouts that could potentially capture Fight of the Year honors.

Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks and Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone.

Add to the mix an always entertaining Nam Phan and a heavy-handed light heavyweight battle between Vladimir Matyushenko and Alexander Gustafsson, and you have yourself a top 10 event of 2011, easily.

9. UFC on FOX: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez

Putting aside the magnitude of the UFC airing a championship fight on FOX and how valuable it was to the progression of mixed martial arts in mainstream America, UFC on FOX still offered loyal fight fans with incredible action.

Watching Junior dos Santos KO Cain Velasquez in the first round en route to the UFC heavyweight championship was everything you'd expect, but the best fight on the card wasn't even showcased on FOX.

Why, you ask?  Because the people at FOX thought Clay Guida would bleed too much.

Well, he did.  In one of the best three-round fights of 2011, Guida and Benson Henderson traded punches, displayed outstanding technical transitions and left everything in the cage in Anaheim, Calif.

After 15 intense minutes, Henderson was victorious via unanimous decision, winning a title shot against lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 in Japan.

Also considering that Dustin Poirier defeated Pablo Garza via a second-round submission to capture No. 1 contender rights in the featherweight division, it's difficult to ponder why FOX only decided to air one fight, for one hour.

Shame on you, FOX.

8. UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber

UFC 132 was one of the most well-rounded events of 2011.

It marked the first time in UFC history in which a bantamweight title fight was held, pitting champion Dominick Cruz against the very popular Urijah Faber.

It also marked Tito Ortiz's return to the win column with a first-round guillotine on Ryan Bader, ending a five-fight skid.

Not only did Cruz vs. Faber last all five rounds, giving fans bang for their buck, but Chris Leben secured a KO victory over the legendary Wanderlei Silva in just 0:27 into Round 1.

Wait, there's more.

Carlos Condit KO'd Dong Hyun Kim in the first round, capturing No. 1 contender rights in the welterweight division. Melvin Gulliard secured a TKO victory over Shane Roller in the first round and bantamweight contender Brian Bowles improved to 2-0 in the UFC.

Easily one of the most TKO/submission-friendly events of 2011 that will go down as one of the best PPVs of the year.

7. UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones

UFC 128 simply jumps off the page.

Not only did Jon "Bones" Jones capture the light heavyweight title from the legendary Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, but he became the youngest champion in UFC history (24) by doing so.

Jones' demolition of Rua surely captured the show, launching him into the pound-for-pound status that he possesses today.  However, UFC 128 also marked the first time Urijah Faber graced the Octagon, a sight that many diehard MMA fans thought would never happen.

Brendan Schaub put his name on the heavyweight map with a KO victory over the infamous Mirko Cro Cop and both Joseph Benavidez and Erik Koch, two respected prospects, secured impressive victories.

If Jones vs. Rua was the only fight aired, similar to UFC on FOX, it would still come in at No. 7.

This event may have been the start of Jones' reign over the next decade as the best UFC champion ever.

6. UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort

There were truly a lot of impressive fights that went down at UFC 126.

It incorporated the greatest KO of 2011, maybe ever, which was an Anderson Silva front-heel kick to the face of a very capable Vitor Belfort.

Belfort came into the fight being regarded as one of the best strikers in the middleweight division, but Silva showed once again why he deserves to be called the baddest man on the face of the earth.

Alongside the infamous KO, fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev., witnessed a three-round battle between the always-popular Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin, a second-round submission victory by Jon Jones over Ryan Bader (sorry I keep throwing you under the bus, Ryan), and dominating performances by Jake Ellenberger, Miguel Torres (nice tweet, bro), Donald Cerrone and Chad Mendes.

This is easily one of the most jam-packed events of 2011 when it comes to big-time names and the future faces of the UFC.

5. UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III

UFC 136 marked the third installment of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, matching the two up to settle the championship draw that had taken place no more than 10 months beforehand.

However, this time was different.

Instead of lasting a grueling five rounds, Edgar finally caught Maynard on the button in Round 4, retaining the UFC lightweight championship and securing bragging rights over one of the best 155-pound fighters around.

Beyond the historic three-peat, UFC 136 featured a highly touted showdown between power wrestlers Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann.  It was the first time in nearly 14 months that Sonnen had fought in the UFC, due in part to his controversial and surprising loss to middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117.

Regardless of his time off, Sonnen ended Stann in the second-round via submission, en route to capturing a chance to take on Mark Munoz at UFC on FOX 2 in order to get his rematch with Silva sometime in 2012.

Also on the card were two of the most underrated fights of 2011, Joey Beltran vs. Stipe Miocic and Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia., as well as a Joe Lauzon submission victory over Melvin Guillard only 0:47 into Round 1.

Easily one of the most entertaining events of the year, regardless of the lack of "big name" promotion.

4. UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami

One word that captures the significance of UFC 134 is, well, historic.

UFC 134 marked the first time since 1998 that Brazil had hosted a UFC event.  Not only did the venue serve a major role in making this PPV No. 4 on this "awesome" list, but its participants had a fairly big effect as well.

First off, you had Anderson Silva KO Yushin Okami in the second round to retain his UFC middleweight title.

Next up, you had Minotauro Nogueira regain his status within the heavyweight division by knocking out Brendan Schaub in the first round, once again solidifying himself as one of the best boxers in MMA.  It was also the first time Nogueira jumped on top of the cage after a victory.

Lastly, you had Mauricio "Shogun" Rua secure a KO victory of Forrest Griffin in Round 1, rebounding from his devastating loss against Jon Jones at the before-mentioned UFC 128.

All three main bouts ended with a Brazilian raising his hand in victory amidst a wild Rio de Janeiro crowd, something that Nogueira called the greatest moment of his legendary career.

3. UFC 125: Edgar vs. Maynard II

Is it ironic that one of the best UFC events of the year took place on the first day of 2011?

I think so.

UFC 125 was nothing short of spectacular.  It featured the second match-up between lightweights Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, which turned out to be arguably one of the best fights in UFC history.

Maynard landed nearly 100 punches in Round 1, stunning the champion on numerous occasions.  In a scene that featured a bloody Edgar, wobbling and struggling to stand-up, the challenger started to gas.

After weathering some of the most vicious back-to-back-to-back punches from one of the most powerful strikers at 155 pounds, Edgar found himself on the fast train to a comeback.  And easily a top-three comeback in MMA history.

Edgar and Maynard battled for five straight rounds, showcasing heavy strikes, great scrambles and excellent wrestling, culminating into the infamous draw.  Besides the championship tie, this fight alone ranks UFC 125 atop this list.

However, the heroics didn't stop there.

Middleweight Brian Stann knocked out the iron-chinned Chris Leben in Round 1.  Dong Hyun Kim solidified his presence in the welterweight division with a unanimous decision over Nate Diaz, and the always-entertaining Clay Guida submitted the Japanese legend Takanori Gomi.

Clearly these fights made the event what it was, but Edgar vs. Maynard II made it that more special.

2. UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida

Trust me, this didn't happen by chance.

We are not even a week removed from UFC 140, but the magnitude of the event, alongside the impossible outcomes, launches it into consideration for one of the best PPVs of 2011.

So much happened last Saturday that's it hard to put into one slide, but I'll attempt it anyways.

The biggest facet of UFC 140 was easily the main event.  In a showdown between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former champion Lyoto Machida, we were supposed to witness an infamous battle between two of the best strikers at 205 lbs. 

Instead, following a decent array of attacks in the first round, Machida fell victim to the beast that is "Bones" Jones. 

After landing a vicious elbow to the face of "The Dragon" (seen above), which arguably stunned the fighter for the remainder of the bout, Jones was able to submit Machida in the second round via a nasty standing guillotine.  Maybe the best guillotine that we've seen in a while. 

Regardless, last Saturday was the coming-out party for Jones.  In a bout that he needed to win, to not only defend his title more than once, but shut up his critics who had thought he was merely a flash in the pan, the 24-year-old arguably supplanted himself as the greatest MMA fighter in the world (albeit Anderson Silva).

Beyond Jones' suffocation of Machida, UFC 140 featured an array of high-octane bouts.

The first significant draw, which may even be better than Jones vs. Machida, was Frank Mir's dismantling of the legendary Minotauro Nogueira.  It was the second time these two heavyweights stood opposite one another in the Octagon, with the first match-up going to Mir as he became the only fighter in history to KO "Big Nog."

To go along with breaking history and setting records, Mir did it once again at UFC 140, ending the fight in Round 1 with a kimura that just so happened to break Nogueira's arm.  Kudos to Nogueira for not tapping.  However, Mir's victory gave him the title of the only guy to submit Nogueira in his career, and he may have ended the heavyweight's future within the UFC.

Keep reading, I told you it was long.

While "Big Nog" saw his career flash before his eyes, his twin brother, Rogerio "Little Nog" Nogueira ended the legend that is Tito Ortiz, finishing "The People's Champ" in the first round via vicious elbows to the ribs. 

This may have been Ortiz's last fight in his storied 15-year career, so it makes it that more special that it came on a night already jam-packed with legendary Octagon action.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.

Chan Sung Jung secured a KO victory over Mark Hominick just 0:07 into Round 1, tying a UFC record for quickest KO.

1. UFC 139: Shogun vs. Hendo

Despite arm-breaking submissions by Frank Mir, lights-out kicks from Anderson Silva and the UFC's expansion into broadcast television, UFC 139 comes in at No. 1, by leaps and bounds.

And honestly, if this event had featured a title shot, it may have been the best event of all-time.

UFC 139 was non-stop from start to finish.  In a legendary showdown between two of the most prolific MMA fighters of all-time, Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, UFC fans witnessed one of the best toe-to-toe fights in the history of contact sports.

The fight lasted all five rounds, which is hard to believe considering Henderson and Shogun blasted each other in the face from bell to bell.  The outstanding will and determination in this fight may have been the best ever displayed at the professional level.  I mean how often do you see two guys completely abandon their game plans, step to the center of the Octagon and throw absolute bombs for 25 minutes? 

It doesn't happen often, and with this fight being as prolific as it was, I'm not even going to try to give you a round-by-round run down.  Shell out some dough and watch the fight for yourself.  It's amazing.

Also featured on the card was Wanderlei Silva and Cung Le, who was fighting in his first UFC bout since transitioning from Strikeforce as a former-middleweight champion.  Both Silva and Le possess some of the best raw KO power in MMA, and with the unorthodox spinning back-kicks that the Vietnamese fighter likes to throw, this fight had all the intangibles.

It failed to disappoint.  After stunning Silva with a few back-kicks and hard punches, Le fell victim to "The Axe Murderer."  Silva secured a second-round TKO, masking his past woes in the Octagon and once again proving that he is one of the best fighters around.

Adding on to the madness was Urijah Faber, who proved victorious over a very hungry No. 1 contender in Brian Bowles by choking out the wrestler in Round 2. 

It was the first fight in which UFC fans really got to know the true Faber.  The guy who has lightning fast hands and an instinct to end fights quickly and concisely.  The victory landed Faber a rematch with bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz sometime in 2012.

On top of that, the two preliminary fights that were aired free on Spike were easily the best two under card bouts ever offered to the general public.  In fact, hands down the best.

First you had the talented 20-year-old Michael McDonald nearly decapitate Alex Soto with a first-round KO, which has received KO of the Year discussions.  Secondly, you had Ryan Bader get back on the light heavyweight map with a first-round KO of the heavy-handed Jason Brilz. 

Add to the fact that Miguel Torres, Martin Kampmann and Stephan Bonner were all victorious, and ladies and gentlemen, you have the best UFC event of 2011.  Bar none.

Food for thought, Henderson/Rua and Silva/Le were so good that UFC president Dana White awarded them both Fight of the Night honors.

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