Benson Henderson won three title fights in 2012, confirming himself as one of the top pound-for-pounders on the planet
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Fighter of the Year
Winner: Benson Henderson
Runner-up: Demetrious Johnson
Difficult to argue the merits of Benson Henderson after he won three title fights in 2012, totalling 15 high-paced rounds of action. First he
snatched the lightweight belt from Frankie Edgar in one of the fights of the year, and then he defended it against the same man - albeit thanks to a
controversial decision. There was nothing cloudy about his last display though, a
dominant winover No. 1 contender Nate Diaz, and after all three bouts the champ emerged unblemished.
Honourable mention: Johny Hendricks
Georges St-Pierre's return to the Octagon was memorable for a plethora of reasons in front of his home crowd
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Fight of the Year
Winner: St-Pierre v Condit
Runner-up: Zombie v Poirier
The MMA world waited 19 months for the return Georges St-Pierre, but when the comeback arrived, it more than lived up to expectation. Walking straight into a champion-vs-champion bout with Carlos Condit, GSP came within a whisker of defeat before posting arguably the
win of his career. For two rounds he out-struck and out-grappled Condit. Condit's response? Snarl at the camera, wipe away the blood and fight back. 17,000 fans were silenced as GSP was floored with a head kick, but the champion rose up in an inhumane show of defiance to defend his belt.
Honourable mention: Joe Lauzon v Jamie Varner
Tim Boetsch lost the first two rounds convincingly before turning the fight on its head against Yushin Okami
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Comeback of the Year
Winner: Boetsch v Okami
Runner-up: Kampmann v Alves
If ever a fighter followed the words of his coach, Tim Boetsch did so at UFC 144. The American was outboxed for two rounds against Yushin Okami, and when he returned to his corner the message was delivered: "You're two rounds down, time to leave it all out there". Cue an
onslaughtfrom Boetsch, who sparked the turnaround with a crunching uppercut.
Honourable mention: Ben Rothwell v Brendan Schaub
Dustin Poirier was choked out cold by the Korean Zombie, who produced one of the outstanding performances of 2012
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Sub of the Year
Winner: Zombie v Poirier
Runner-up: Oliveira v Wisely
Chan Sung Jung, the Korean Zombie, produced arguably the most complete individual performance of 2012, and it was sealed by a clinical D'Arce choke. The Zombie gave the highly rated Dustin Poirier a
masterclass for the first two rounds, and then stepped on the gas again in the fourth. An uppercut, followed by a flying knee, set up the finish, and the Zombie sunk it in so tight that Poirier went to sleep - literally - after he refused to tap.
Honourable mention: Rousimar Palhares v Mike Massenzio
Terry Etim's lights were out before he hit the mat after a quite breathtaking wheel kick by Edson Barboza
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KO of the Year
Winner: Barboza v Etim
Runner-up: Hendricks v Kampmann
As highlight reel moments go, this was just about one of the all-time greats. And in the case of Terry Etim, it was a moment to haunt him. After two competitive rounds, edged by Edson Barboza, Etim looked to accelerate in the third. However, it was at that very moment that Barboza produced a
stunning wheel kick, turning out the lights before Etim even hit the mat.
Honourable mention: Anthony Pettis v Joe Lauzon
Erick Silva looks a world class talent capable of ending fights on his feet or on the mat. 2013 could be his year
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Champion-in-waiting
Winner: Silva
Runner-up: McDonald
This award could quite easily go to Rory MacDonald, who has enjoyed a superb year, but we gave it to him last year and therefore wanted to look elsewhere. If one man looks like MacDonald's future rival to the 170lb strap it is Erick Silva, whom MacDonald says it is
"inevitable"he will meet. Silva was beaten by Jon Fitch last time out, but there were way more positives than negatives for the brilliant Brazilian.
Honourable mention: Rory MacDonald
Jon Jones was nowhere to be seen at UFC 151 after he refused to fight Chael Sonnen on eight days' notice
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Controversy of the Year
Winner: UFC 151
Runner-up: Diaz v Condit
The ghostship 151. The first event in UFC history to have no results. It didn't take place, and blame was sprayed everywhere. Was Dan Henderson the cause for not revealing his knee injury sooner? Was Jon Jones to blame for not accepting a replacement fight with Chael Sonnen on eight days' notice? Or was Dana White to blame for not putting on a strong enough card to cope with a high-profile pull-out? Whichever,
UFC 151 never happened, and we were all the poorer for it.
[Dis]Honourable mention: Alistair Overeem
Jon Jones fought through adversity to beat Vitor Belfort, earning himself much-needed respect in the process
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Champagne moment
Winner: Jones v Belfort
Runner-up: St-Pierre v Condit
Jon Jones' redemption, plus arguably the greatest
jump-out-of-the-seat momentof 2012. First Vitor Belfort almost produced the shock of all shocks with a first-round armbar that popped the champion's arm. But then Jones, much maligned for the cancellation of UFC 151, fought for four rounds with a damaged arm, submitting Belfort to defend his belt. The heart of a champion.
Honourable mention: Anderson Silva v Chael Sonnen
Nobody saw Jamie Varner's win over Edson Barboza coming as the American produced a shock at UFC 146
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Upset of the Year
Winner: Varner v Barboza
Runner-up: Boetsch v Lombard
Jamie Varner was cannon fodder. Winner of three fights in his last eight heading into his showdown with Edson Barboza, he was facing a man who had tied up the Knockout of the Year after only 14 days of 2012. Yet Varner
ambushed the Brazilian, ruffling his feathers with punches in bunches, stopping him at 3.23 of the first round. Barboza's career was left in the recovery phase as a result.
Honourable mention: Carlos Condit v Nick Diaz
