The holiday season is traditionally a time for joy, celebration, and festive cheer, but for MMA enthusiasts, it has also been a period of intense battles within the octagon. As the world embraces the spirit of Christmas, fighters from various promotions have delivered their own gifts to fans, in the form of unforgettable bouts that have left a lasting impact on the sport. In this exploration of Christmas Crackers, we'll revisit some of the best MMA fights that took place during the yuletide season, creating moments that resonate with the spirit of competition and the thrill of victory.
New Year's Day Feast
One notable clash that stands out in the annals of Christmas MMA history is the epic encounter between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 on January 1, 2011. While technically just after Christmas, this lightweight championship bout was a true gift to fight fans. The back-and-forth action, with both fighters displaying incredible resilience, ended in a dramatic draw. The fight was a testament to the heart and determination of both athletes, setting the stage for future showdowns between the two.
A Not-so-Festive Evening
Fast forward to December 29, 2012, and another Christmas Cracker unfolded at UFC 155. In the co-main event, Jim Miller faced off against Joe Lauzon in a lightweight clash that had fans on the edge of their seats. The two warriors engaged in a relentless battle, showcasing their grappling skills and striking prowess. Miller ultimately secured the unanimous decision victory, but not without both fighters leaving an indelible mark on the memories of those who tuned in during the holiday season.
It Was The Night Before Christmas...
Christmas Eve of 2005 witnessed a historic clash in Japan as Mirko Cro Cop squared off against Josh Barnett at Pride Shockwave 2005. While Pride was not exclusively an MMA promotion, this fight remains a Christmas Cracker classic. The bout showcased Cro Cop's devastating striking, particularly his renowned left high kick. The fight ended in the first round with a stoppage due to strikes, solidifying Cro Cop's reputation as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the sport.
Not The Crack we Hoped for
As the years rolled on, the UFC's traditional end-of-year events continued to provide fans with thrilling Christmas matchups. UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, featured a much-anticipated rematch between Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva. While the bout itself was overshadowed by Silva's gruesome leg injury, the intense rivalry and dramatic moments leading up to that point made it a Christmas Cracker that MMA enthusiasts would not soon forget.
New Year New Era
Cody Garbrandt put in a superlative effort on December, 31st 2016, at UFC 207, as he beat Dominick Cruz at his own game to claim the UFC bantamweight championship.
Garbrandt stuck and moved, landed heavy shots, and out-trash-talked one of the game’s greatest trash-talkers in claiming a unanimous decision at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena.
The judges' scores were a pair of 48-46s and a 48-47 in favor of Garbrandt.
Not all Women Belong in the Kitchen
Heading into more recent times, UFC 219 on December 30, 2017, treated fans to an enthralling clash between Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm. In the main event, Cyborg successfully defended her featherweight title against the former bantamweight champion, showcasing her striking dominance. The unanimous decision victory for Cyborg added another layer to the Christmas Cracker legacy, proving that the holiday season could deliver not only gifts under the tree but also unforgettable moments inside the cage.
While Christmas is traditionally associated with peace and goodwill, the MMA world has witnessed its fair share of intense battles during this festive period. These Christmas Crackers, featuring some of the sport's most iconic fighters, have added an extra layer of excitement to the holiday season for fans around the globe. As we reflect on these memorable bouts, it becomes clear that the spirit of competition knows no holiday, and the octagon remains a place where warriors continue to deliver gifts of adrenaline and excitement to fight enthusiasts worldwide.
Comments