5 Most shocking finishes in MMA
MMA is revered by millions of fans for its champions. From Anderson Silva to Georges St. Pierre. From Jon Jones to Fedor Emelianenko. However MMA, just like most sports, is loved for the upsets it can throw up. There is nothing better in sport than an underdog beating a dominant champion, especially when the underdog stops the champion.Over the years, there have been many such upsets in MMA. Here are our top 5 most shocking finishes:
#1 Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum
When Pride died, Fedor became the most coveted free agent in MMA. The UFC threw all they had into trying to sign him. Dana White said that he was “obsessed” with signing Fedor. The Russian legend however, would sign for Strikeforce (after a few fights in other promotions) in a move that infuriated White and the UFC. Strikeforce didn’t exactly have top of the line talent and Fedor was expected to become heavyweight champion in no time flat. After beating then-undefeated Brett Rodgers in his Strikeforce debut, Fedor was pitted against former UFC Heavyweight Fabricio Werdum.
This wasn’t the Fabricio Werdum of today. Do not confuse that man for the current UFC Heavyweight Champion. Werdum had been cut by the UFC after a first-round KO defeat to Junior Dos Santos. It was more a case of him being fed to Fedor than an even contest. Fedor at the time was on a 10-year unbeaten streak. This was meant to be a procession for Fedor on the way to a championship.
Everything was going to plan. Fedor clobbered Werdum early with a huge right hand. Werdum fell to his back but had the presence of mind to defend Fedor locking in the mount. As Fedor tried to establish his dominancy, Werdum caught him in a triangle armbar. Time seemed to stand still. Fedor tapped. One of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, a dominant champion and one of the most feared men in the world was beaten by a UFC reject.
Fedor would never be the same again. He lost his next two fights and eventually left Strikeforce. He would compete 3 more times, winning all 3 fights before he retired. Recently Fedor has announced his intention to return to professional MMA. While still regarded by many as one of the greatest of all time. His shock loss to Werdum signaled the beginning of the end for Fedor. With his imminent return to MMA, can he recapture some of that magic or will the ghost of Werdum continue to haunt him?