Best Of 2009: Breakthrough Fighters

sandywh · 12-29-2009, 04:22 PM

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Jose Aldo 16-1

Jose Aldo was the easy choice for the top spot on our "Breakthroughs of the Year" list. His four fights in 2009 all ended by stoppage, and were never in doubt. Aldo’s combination of speed and power make him a dangerous opponent, regardless of match up. He easily defeated Rolando Perez and Chris Mickle earlier this year in WEC, setting up his meeting with Cub Swanson in June. It took just eight seconds, and one highlight reel flying knee, to defeat Swanson. With that win he earned himself a shot at the WEC featherweight championship against Mike Brown. Brown, who had been a dominate champion, looked like the contender in the bout as Aldo controlled nearly every second of the match, until finally finishing Brown early in the second. Aldo started the year as an almost unknown commodity in WEC, and finished as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Gegard Mousasi 27-2-1

Mousasi’s breakthrough did not actually occur overnight, and he was already well on his way to stardom prior to 2009. But, unless you are the type that stays up all night watching Japanese MMA, you may have missed his rise to the top of the rankings. He established himself as the Dream middleweight champion with victories over Denis Kang, Melvin Manhoef, and "Jacare" Souza, but raised eyebrows when he vacated the title to move up in weight. Mousasi stated that he wanted to fight at light heavyweight and eventually heavyweight. In 2009, he submitted heavyweight Mark Hunt, and eventually signed with Strikeforce. He made an immediate impact in America when he captured the light heavyweight title from top ten ranked Renato "Babalu" Sobral by knockout. He later made his CBS debut against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, winning by knockout again. Mousasi’s 2009 answered any questions about his ability to perform against the best competition, earning a spot in the pound-for-pound debates and now a worldwide fan base.

Dan Hardy 23-6

It is difficult to explain Dan Hardy’s rise up the UFC ladder in 2009. He debuted in 2008 with little fanfare outside of his native England. However, his knockout of Rory Markham in February made Hardy an instant star. He received a big push by the organization when fan favorite Marcus Davis was named as his next opponent. The two traded verbal jabs back and forth for weeks leading up to their bout at UFC 99 in June. The two brawlers laid it all on the line in that bout, with Hardy narrowly escaping with a split decision victory. The brash Brit would cash in on a variety of injuries to other top UFC welterweights that led him to bout with Mike Swick and the winner getting a title shot at champion Georges St-Pierre. Hardy took the November bout against Swick, winning by unanimous decision. Hardy closes 2009 with a guaranteed title shot and a legion of loyal fans behind him.

Brett Rogers 10-1

You would think that losing in 2009 would likely preclude a fighter from making a "Breakthrough Fighter" list. In most cases that would be correct. However, not many fighters had the year that Brett Rogers had. Coming into the year Rogers was not an “unknown," but he was not exactly at the top of anyone's contender list. That would change in his Strikeforce debut against Ron Humphrey in April.

Rogers unleashed a brutal assault, knocking out Humphrey with a series of knees. That win earned him an opportunity to become, what many thought to be fodder, for former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski in June. Rogers would prove all his doubters wrong, and would do it in twenty-two seconds. After demolishing Arlovski, Rogers would be tabbed to welcome Fedor Emelianenko to Strikeforce. He came into the bout with many people declaring that he would be the one to end Fedor’s reign at the top. Alas, Emelianenko proved to be too much for Rogers, knocking out the promising contender. But just making it into a bout with Emelianenko on prime time network television screams that a fighter has arrived as one of the best in the world.

Brian Bowles 8-0

Bowles had only one fight in 2009, however that single fight was enough to take him from obscurity to elite status overnight. Going in to his August bout against WEC bantamweight champion and consensus top 5 pound-for-pound fighter Miguel Torres, Bowles was considered a solid prospect that was ready to step up his competition. But no one was really thinking that Bowles could knock off the defending champion. Knock off he did.

Torres got aggressive early in the first round, and as he closed the distance against his opponent, Bowles buckled his knees with a short hook. Torres popped right back up, only to be beaten right back down by the 29 year-old contender. Bowles continued to pound away, pushing through a armbar attempt from the champion. Eventually the referee would be forced to step in and save the champion from further punishment as he laid unconscious on his back. The result was Bowles' immediate rise to the top of rankings everywhere and many fans were left wondering just where Brian Bowles came from. Expect much bigger things from Bowles in 2010 as he looks to continue his undefeated record and make headlines in one of the best up and coming divisions in all of MMA.

Jon Jones 9-1

Jan. 31, 2009 was not his UFC debut, but it was the first time many MMA fans had an opportunity to see Jon Jones. In that bout, against the ultra-popular Stephan Bonnar, Jones threw everything but the kitchen sink at his opponent. He showed unusual throws, spinning back elbows, and aggressive striking on his way to winning a lopsided decision and legions of new fans. After that bout Jones was an instant hit amongst new fans, primarily for the fast-thinking and visually pleasing assault. His next bout, at UFC 100 in July, Jones would again show the same unorthodox game plan when he submitted Jake O'Brien with a second round guillotine. Again, Jones' backing grew more popular.

Those performances, coupled with the calls from the new fans Jones had gathered, landed him a co-starring role on "The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale" against Matt Hamill. Jones dominated the fight from the opening bell, taking down Hamill and unleashing a nearly two-minute long flurry of punches that only ended when he was disqualified for an illegal downward elbow to his opponent. Upset, stunned, and no longer undefeated, Jones maintained impeccable class as he talked down the controversial call. Jones' technique in the cage, and how he carried himself as a result of the circumstances out of it made him a definite favorite of fans coming out of 2009, and looking forward to 2010.

Frankie Edgar 11-1

It is hard to believe that a fighter that had fought five times for the UFC prior to 2009 would be making this list. It is even harder to believe that a fighter that has fought the opponents Frankie Edgar has would be on this list. However, from a fan and organizational perspective, 2009 was indeed Edgar's breakthrough year. Prior to this year Edgar could have been classified the most underrated fighter in the UFC, having defeated solid contenders Jim Miller, Tyson Griffin, Spencer Fisher, and Hermes Franca. But, it was Edgar's performance against former champion Sean Sherk in May that put his career on the rise. Known primarily as a wrestler, Edgar out boxed Sherk for fifteen minutes on his way to a dominating unanimous decision win that left fans wondering if they were witnessing an evolution in Edgar's game.

In his only other bout of the year Edgar stepped in against another wrestler in Matt Veach. In the lead up to the bout the UFC commentators wondered aloud if Edgar would not be better suited for the featherweight division. Edgar would go out and shut down all that talk when he again used his impressive boxing technique to drop Veach, eventually leading to a rear naked choke submission victory. Edgar has once again climbed back into title contention with his performance this year.

Tyron Woodley 5-0

Woodley is a breakthrough in every sense of the word. He made his professional debut in February 2009 with a flawless submission victory over Steve Schneider in just over one minute. After his second fight in April ended in under a minute, Strikeforce came calling. They signed the Mizzou wrestling star to appear as a local undercard fighter for their event in St. Louis. Woodley impressed the organization so much with his first round Brabo choke victory that they signed him to a long term deal. In September he took on highly respected grappler Zach Light. Woodley dominated the fight the whole way, slamming his opponent several times and working brilliant wrestling and jiu-jitsu, eventually securing an armbar submission in the second round. After that bout many commentators began declaring Woodley as a possible heir to the thrown at welterweight.

Tyron Woodley's next bout was in the main event on Strikeforce's Challengers Series on Showtime. On the big stage, "T-Wood" faced off with talented kickboxer Rudy Bears. Woodley again made it a short night with yet another submission victory in the first round. In his first five professional bouts Woodley has five submission victories, all by different techniques. Along with the wins are accolades such as Pat Miletich's declaration that Woodley is "the best athlete in the sport," and Stephen Quadros' desire to see a Woodley vs. Georges St-Pierre match up in about a year. If Woodley can do in 2010 what he has done in 2009, Quadros' desire to see that bout might be on everyone's wish list.

Paul Daley 22-8-2

We go from a guy making his professional debut in 2009, to a man that had nearly thirty fights prior to this year. However, Paul "Semtex" Daley still qualifies for breakthrough status. Daley was no stranger to big organizations or fight fans prior to 2009, but he still was treated to a "Who is this guy again?" attitude whenever he fought. Daley was known for years as one of the most powerful strikers in the sport, but that never fully translated into a permanent home in any organization. He previously competed against Jake Shields on a CBS card in 2008, but it was his 2009 that opened many eyes and qualified Daley as a star.

The year didn't start well for Daley, losing a decision to Nick Thompson in February. However, he went back to his native England, picking up a knockout victory in March, and again in April. It was then that Daley was signed to compete on the ill-fated "Afflction: Trilogy" event. The circumstances surrounding the cancellation of that show lead to Daley's signing with UFC, and when an injury opened the door to make an impact in the organization, Daley jumped at the chance.

In September, on short notice, Daley stepped in against Martin Kampmann. Kampmann was looking for a title shot against GSP with a win, but Daley was looking to finally make his mark on the sport. He would do just that, catching Kampmann early in round one and slugging away at the would-be contender to force the TKO stoppage. Daley joins teammate, friend, and fellow welterweight, Dan Hardy on this year's breakthrough list. Fans and UFC officials are looking for bigger and better things from Daley in 2010.

Paulo Thiago 12-1

World class grappler Paulo Thiago set the MMA world scurrying for information about him with one punch in February 2009. That single punch, an uppercut, landed on wildly popular and heavy favorite Josh Koscheck's chin. It knocked Koscheck down and out, and provided one of the biggest upsets of the year. Even after the fight, no one knew exactly what to make of the event. Does Thiago, at 11-0 deserve to be ranked in the top 10? Was it a fluke? Those questions would be answered in his next bout against Jon Fitch at UFC 100 in July.

Although Thiago lost a decision in that match, he would show that he is more than capable of hanging with the very best welterweights in the world. Thiago got back on the winning track in November with a win over Jacob Volkman. And although he has not shocked the world again, he has solidified himself as a legitimate top welterweight and an obvious danger anywhere the fight goes. The new year could be quite significant for Paulo Thiago now that the doubts have been erased and the UFC welterweight division is as wide open and competitive as ever.

Full Article - Ten Breakthrough Fighters

POINDEXTER · 12-29-2009, 06:09 PM

Hard to argue with any of those. I've heard maybe Henderson should be included and maybe Mousasi should be removed given his already great 2008 - but I think he made important strides this year in gaining much more exposure and setting up some potentially great fights.

pa99ortiz · 12-29-2009, 07:42 PM

Good read, where the hell have you guys been?

Sakara=Excitement · 12-29-2009, 07:59 PM

Yeah really. Ever since that Awards thing, all the oldies (but greats) are coming out. I like it.

surfrock66 · 12-30-2009, 07:56 AM

Aldo had an incredible year for sure...too bad Faber is gonna destroy him when they fight.

beau420 · 12-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfrock66

Aldo had an incredible year for sure...too bad Faber is gonna destroy him when they fight.

LOL....I thought the same thing when he faced Cub Swanson and got KOd in 8 seconds, then again when Mike Brown got outwrestled by him then pounded him.

Let's hope Faber's delicate hands are loaded with power and he is ready to take on this beast. Should be his greatest challenge to date.

Mac · 12-30-2009, 10:27 AM

War T-Wood!

rodzilla1988 · 12-30-2009, 01:28 PM

This list is pretty much spot on. Aldo is def. #1 there is just no disputing that but that 2nd spot is between Hardy & Woods with Hardy taking the nod. Very impressive years all around but I just don't think Edgar should be on that list.