2021 Heavies Awards: Event of the Year: Winner - UFC 268

[Jackonfire]

The Heavies Awards 2021
Event of the Year​

2021 was an action packed year for mixed martial arts. There was a limited return to live crowds as Covid continued to be a problem. Plenty of title fights and grudge matches took place. And now its time to pick the best event of the year. One vote per person and voting will close in 5 days. As always, let us know why you voted for a particular event, and of course, let us know if there was an event you felt got overlooked.

UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar

This card marked a return to broadcast television for the UFC. The main event between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar won FOTN while Li Jingliang won POTN for his KO victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio. Alessio Di Chirico also picked up a bonus for his head kick KO victory over Joaquin Buckley.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. Adesanya

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Three titles were on the line at UFC 259. MW champ Israel Adesanya moved up to LHW to challenge Jan Blachowicz for his title but failed when he lost a unanimous decision. Amanda Nunes successfully defended her belt against challenger Megan Anderson when she won via triaangle/armbar in the first round. And probably the most controversial win of the year went to Aljamain Sterling who won the BW belt via DQ when champ Petr Yan landed an illegal knee in the 4th round. Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Carlos Ulberg won fight of the night honors while both Kai Kara-France and Uroš Medić picked up POTN bonuses.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2

UFC 261 took place in front of a live crowd in Jacksonville Florida and had another 3 belts on the line. WW champ Kamara Usman successfully defended his belt in a rematch against Jorge Masvidal when he landed a KO punch in the 2nd round picking up a POTN bonus in the process. Rose Namajunas defeated SW champ Zhang Weili via headkick KO in the 1st round winning the belt and collecting a POTN bonus for her efforts. Jeff Molina vs. Qileng Aori won FOTN. But most will remember this event for the horrific injury suffered by Chris Wiedman in his fight against Uriah Hall.​

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

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[Jackonfire]

Bellator 263: Pitbull vs. McKee

Bellator 263 saw the culmination of the promotions FW Grand Prix. A.J. McKee defeated champ Patrício Pitbull via guillotine choke in the 1st round, winning not only the belt, but $1,000,000 prize as well.
Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Manny Murovia tko (knee to the body) and Islam Mamedov defeated Brent Primus via split decision.

Spoiler

UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3

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UFC 264 was headlined by a third fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor who were 1-1 against each other. Poirier was able to pick up the win via doctor stoppage after McGregor broke his leg in the 1st round and was unable to continue. Sean O'Malley vs. Kris Moutinho won FOTN while both Tai Tuivasa and Dricus du Plessis picked up POTN honors.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

Bellator 269: Fedor vs. Johnson

Not much to say. The GOAT Fedor Emelianenko returned to Moscow where he picked up a 1st round victory when he knocked out Timothy Johnson.

Spoiler

UFC 267: Błachowicz vs. Teixeira

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UFC 267 had two belts on the line. In what was the feel good story of the year, Glover Texeira defeated LHW champ Jan Blachowicz via RNC in the second round winning the title at the age of 42. He also picked up a POTN bonus for his efforts. Petr Yan defeated Cory Sandhagen to win the BW interim belt in what was the FOTN. Khamzat Chimaev picked up a POTN for his RNC victory over Li Jingliang in the 1st round.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

 

[Jackonfire]

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2

UFC 268 saw 2 rematches both for the belt. Welterweight champ Kamara Usman defended his title against two time challenger Colby Covington with a unanimous decision victory. Women's SW champ Rose Namajunas was able to defeat challenger Zhang Welli for the second time via SD. Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler won FOTN. And there were 4 POTN handed out to Marlon Vera, Alex Pereira, Bobby Green, and Chris Barnett.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez

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The main event between Holloway and Rodriguez was a hard fought back and forth battle between two of the FW divisions best fighters. Max Holloway defeated Yair Rodriguez via unanimous decision in what was deemed the FOTN. Khaos Williams defeated Miguel Baeza via TKO in the 3rd round picking up a POTN bonus in the process. And Andrea Lee won a POTN for her TKO (corner stoppage) win over Cynthia Calvillo in the 2nd round.​

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier

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Two more titles were on the line for the UFC's final PPV of the year. UFC 269 saw LW champ Charles Oliveira successfully defend his belt against challenger Dustin Poirier who lost via RNC in the 3rd round. And in what was probably the biggest upset of the year, Julianna Peña defeated Amanda Nunes via RNC in the 2nd round. Dominick Cruz vs. Pedro Munhoz picked up FOTN honors while six fighters were awarded POTN bonuses. Both Oliveira and Pena picked up a bonus for their title fights. Kai Kara-France, Sean O'Malley, Tai Tuivasa, and Bruno Silva also were awarded POTN.

Spoiler: Gifs

Spoiler: Full Card

Check out Sherdog.com Staff Members pick for Event of the Year here​

special thanks to @KazDibiase for the gifs.






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[Deleted member 405583]

268!!!!! My heart still hasn't stopped pounding

 

[TempleoftheDog]

UFC 259..

Jan takes Izzy’s undefeated record, and Yan gives his belt to Aljo via a most egregious foul. Both of which had SD in a tizzy. High entertainment value, that is still ongoing.

 

[Gio]

Excellent job on the thread Capt. Jack!

@Jackonfire


UFC 267 definitely. It was super stacked and capped off with one of the best heartfelt moments of all time, with Glover winning the belt after 15 years.

 

[HHJ]

I went with 267 but there was alot of good fucking cards this year.

 

[Substance Abuse]

I know I'll be in the minority here but UFC 261 just had this absolutely crazy energy being back in front of a live crowd. Every fight was electric. It was the first PPV card back in a live arena after the UFC spent a long time in Abu Dhabi and the Apex Center. I was into the card as much as, if not more so, than ever. It just felt different.

The card was quality too with some good finishes, especially the unexpected one in the main event. A quick finish in the co-main. Valentina's domination. Crute losing. Weidman's leg (unfortunately). Just a great card and a ridiculous atmosphere that you could feel almost emanating from the TV.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Fedor-Johnson. Easiest vote of the year.

 

[HHJ]

Fedor-Johnson. Easiest vote of the year.

 

[HHJ]

I know I'll be in the minority here but UFC 261 just had this absolutely crazy energy being back in front of a live crowd. Every fight was electric. I was into the card as much as, if not more so, than ever. It just felt different.

It definitley did. A historic event to be sure. I had also just been in Miami just before the event,so I felt a bit more into it for that reason.

 

[JoeRowe]

Maybe its recency bias but I enjoyed 269 the most. Been down with Oliveira since day 1 so that great comeback was satisfying. The Pena/Nunes upset resonated with me about as much as any fight in all of 2021. It had a bunch of finsihes by O'Malley, Kara-France, Tuivasa, Bruno, Muniz, & a cpl others. Also some fun wars like Cruz/Munhoz & Emmett/Ige.

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

I know I'll be in the minority here but UFC 261 just had this absolutely crazy energy being back in front of a live crowd. Every fight was electric. I was into the card as much as, if not more so, than ever. It just felt different.

The card was quality too with some good finishes, especially the unexpected one in the main event. A quick finish in the co-main. Valentina's domination. Crute losing. Weidman's leg (unfortunately). Just a great card and a ridiculous atmosphere that you could feel almost emanating from the TV.

Don't forget Rose's unexpected finish over Zhang. I also picked UFC 261.

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

268 for me. Both title fights were awesome scraps. Usman Vs Colby 2 was def a classic and suitable follow up to their OG fight.

Weili vs rose was fun as well. Despite not really caring for this rematch it was definitely more of what I was expecting than the first fight was and was really enjoyable.

Chandler Vs Justin was JBG worthy

This was also the card that had Chris Barrett’s spinning wheel kick on it. AND Chris curtis’ fight which was super memorable.

There was also the Vera vs Edgar fight which hurt to watch but really built Vera as a villain.

I remember Burgos Vs billy was a fun scrap too. One of those cards I could watch start to finish for a second time and enjoy the whole card.

 

[Buff]

A lot of work went into that OP.

Gonna go with 268, although the JBG wants us to vote 261. He told me so.

Edit: 261 over 268.

 

[TARTARA]

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2

Excellent Thread @Jackonfire

 

[Midget Boxer]

Usman vs covington 2 was boring compared to the first

 

[Wally da champ]

The last card was pretty good imo

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

UFC 268 for me, very entertaining and fun event.

Gaetjhe vs Chandler was so awesome and epic, my only issue with it was it was only 3 rounds, I feel like we needed more. When round 3 was finished I still felt like the story had not been told fully.. I wish it was 5 rounds. That fight really needs to be 5 rounds, if they ever rematch they need to make it 5

Edgar vs Vera was a good fight and ended in a epic KO

Usman vs Colby was a good fight and entertaining

Rose vs Weili was meh, not too good

Burgos vs Billy was awesome, great fight!!! super fun and violent

The prelims were really good as well and lots of good finishes on the prelims, probably the best prelims of the entire 2021

 

[Jackonfire]

I know I'll be in the minority here but UFC 261 just had this absolutely crazy energy being back in front of a live crowd. Every fight was electric. It was the first PPV card back in a live arena after the UFC spent a long time in Abu Dhabi and the Apex Center. I was into the card as much as, if not more so, than ever. It just felt different.

The card was quality too with some good finishes, especially the unexpected one in the main event. A quick finish in the co-main. Valentina's domination. Crute losing. Weidman's leg (unfortunately). Just a great card and a ridiculous atmosphere that you could feel almost emanating from the TV.

Same for me. 261 was a great card top to bottom. Both Usman and Namajunas victories will live on forever in gif form.