From Dynamite 1 to Kimbo’s first round TKO over Frank Shamrock, to Patricio Pitbull taking on the world, Bellator MMA had some of the greatest moments of 2015.
These are our top 10 favorite.
#10 – Michael ‘Venom’ Page | Brennan Ward
In 2015 the title changed hands and young, up-and-coming stars Michael “Venom” Page (went 2-0) and “Irish” Brennan Ward (went 3-0) staked their claim as next up for Andrey Koreshkov’s belt in 2016.
#9 – Dynamite – Fedor Emelianenko Announcement
“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko entered the SAP Center arena during Scott Coker’s newest brainchild “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” to announce he would be ringing in the New Year by competing for the “new PRIDE” RIZIN FF promotion.
#8 – Michael Chandler
Finishes of both Derek Campos and David Rickels have Chandler suddenly breathing down the neck of incumbent champion Will Brooks, potentially leading to a third pairing between the bitter rivals.
#7 – Pitbull Vs. Weichel
The co-main event of the record-setting “Bellator 138: Unfinished Business” saw Freire take a vicious beating at the hands of Daniel Weichel for over five minutes … until the Brazilian dug deep and landed a vicious left-hook that sent Weichel slumped to the mat.
Watch the Full Fight here!
#6 – Phil Davis wins Light Heavyweight Tournament
One of the marquee free agent signings by Bellator MMA in 2015, Phil Davis entered the fray by debuting in the four-man, one-night light heavyweight tournament at “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” in September. He crushed both opponents to become the No. 1 contender for Liam McGeary’s 205-pound belt.
Watch Davis’ Tournament win here!
#5 – LC Davis Vs. Hideo Tokoro
Longtime mixed martial arts vets Hideo Tokoro and L.C. Davis put on a spirited back-and-forth fight that many called a viable “Fight of the Year” candidate. Davis got the win, and a broken jaw.
Watch the Full Fight here!
#4 – Kimbo Slice Vs. Ken Shamrock
2,300,000 viewers!!?! With an unparralled amount of hype leading up to the main event contest of “Bellator 138: Unfinished Business,” both Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock delivered once locked inside the cage, showcasing each of their vastly different fighting styles before Slice put an end to Shamrock’s night at 2:22 of round one.
Watch the Full Fight here!
#3 – Liam McGeary
McGeary’s meteoric rise has really been taking place since his career’s inception, as he’s undefeated in 11 professional bouts since 2010. With the aforementioned Phil Davis matchup seemingly lined up for the near future, McGeary will soon have yet another chance to reaffirm his dominance against top-flight competition placed in front of him.
Watch McGeary defeat Newton for the belt!
#2 – KO Train
Joe Schilling knocks out Melvin Manhoef, Hisaki Kato knocks out Schilling, Manhoef knocks out Kato. Time for a Manheof vs. Schilling rematch?!
Watch Manhoef Vs. Schilling here
Watch Kato Vs. Schilling here
Watch Manhoef Vs. Kato here
#1 Pitbull Vs. Straus – Both fights
The rivalry between Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Daniel Straus continued to grow throughout 2015, as both men put forth stellar efforts in their two meetings, trading wins and inevitably setting the stage for another matchup in the future.
In a fight that the two featherweights waged war over the course of 25-minutes, adding to their rivalry and trading the belt for what could be the first of many times.
Watch Straus Vs. Pitbull II
Watch Straus Vs. Pitbull III*
*Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has often referred to III as “one of the best fights he’s ever seen in person.”
