2011 was a magnificent year for the sport of mixed martial arts, especially if your name is Dana White.  The UFC landed a contract with a major television network in FOX, acquired a rival organization in Strikeforce, brought in more exciting lighter weight fighters from the WEC and introduced us to five-round non-title main events.

We covered a variety of great success stories in our Thanksgiving article “Five Things MMA Fans Should Be Thankful For“. And in between all that we witnessed great fights put on by great fighters. 

So who tops the list?  I will attempt to break down the best fights, fighters, knockouts, submissions and upsets here on the US Combat Sports Year in Review. 

Barring any spectacular performances at UFC 141 next weekend when Brock Lesnar takes on Alistair Overeem, the discussion for the greatest fight, fighter and knockout and submissions of 2011 is narrowed down.  Well at least this in MMA reporter’s personal picks.

Best Fights of the Year

• Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II
• Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
• Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez
• Clay Guida vs. Benson Henderson
• Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber II
• Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick
• Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann

And the best fight of 2011 is:  It was a very tough call but the 2011 Fight of the Year is actually a tie between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard part II and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Henderson. 

Maynard and Edgar Battle To a Draw

On New Year’s Day fans were on the edge of their seats as Gray Maynard annihilated lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in the first round of a rematch to their 2008 fight.  Edgar bounced around the Octagon yet he managed to escape the round and come back with true champion spirit and save his title when the fight went the five-round distance and was declared a draw.

Henderson and Shogun Put on Fight for the Ages

Just days before Thanksgiving former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and Ultimate Fighter coach Dan Henderson would throw blows with former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.  Both fighters were coming off spectacular victories earlier in the year and were finally meeting after years of speculation as to which of the former legendary Pride Fighting Championship standouts would stand victorious.

Luckily for fans the contest was sanctioned a five-round bout providing all who watched with two more rounds of exciting action.  The two fierce competitors traded blows back and forth for 25 minutes however in the end Henderson earned a unanimous decision victory over Shogun and possibly a title-shot.

Both fights were truly entertaining as were all nominees. Ironically enough both fights that topped our list were left in the hands of the judges to decide.

Stay tuned to US Combat Sports throughout the week for my breakdown of the best fighter of the year, the best knockout and submissions, and the best upset.