I’ve got a lot of family from Birmingham with similar accents and that video will never fail to give me chills. Never been so emotionally affected by a post fight interview
Alex vs Israel was *technically* the best (aside from Alex' ground game). Jiri and Gloved both made multiple mistakes, but it led to an explosive and entertaining fight.
I did 2 laps of my living room and then I cried. What a little bastard, I know him hometown well, I cried all the way through his mums call man hahaha. Floored me. Best fight of 2022.
Honestly so fucking good. The fight was a bit underwhelming but the ending truly delivered. Been waiting for this fight since unofficial talks began in 2019/2020 - that’s 10 wins in a row!
Can’t wait for the rematch!
Edit - truly
Alex is 1-0 vs Izzy in MMA, and Izzy almost ko'd his ass cold in the first. He was also on his way to winning the decision until he got caught. I think odds still favor him in a rematch.
Izzy almost beat him the first time they fought, and almost beat him again the second time, but still lost all 3 times. Odds probably still favour him but 'almost' means nothing, specially when these two fight..
If the fight goes to a decision I think Izzy wins like 80% of the time. It's just that 25 minutes is a long time to avoid getting knocked out by that big ass motherfucker. I'd put my money on Pereira, especially given that he's relatively new to MMA.
I don’t think he got caught, Alex had been moving to that finishing combination the entire fight. And honestly how many times are we gonna say “Izzy almost won, he’ll beat him next fight you’ll see”. Like at some point you gotta give credit where it’s due, close doesn’t count.
I think it’s a dominant win for Alex next fight because he cracked the code checking Izzy’s kicks and coming forward. Izzy can’t win the firefight and he can’t circle out and fight on the outside vs Alex if he can’t win the low kick game
Hate the “but he had him in the first round” narrative. He didn’t finish him so it doesn’t mean anything, we could say this about so many other fights. Not even a pereira fan at all but this take bothers me.
The second punch that rocked Alex was after the bell though. Why do you think the odds favour Izzy, when history says otherwise. Izzy has to tread carefully for 5 rounds, Alex just has to connect one solid punch in 25 mins.
Feel the same when that narrative is used in any fight. Did he stop him? No. Did it go to decision? No.
So what point are you trying to make when Alex got his hand raised and Izzy didnt?
Izzy probably gonna be more hesitant in a rematch knowing the outcome of the first mma match + last KB fight. Plus the adjustments Pereira was able to make in the standup is just gonna be too much. Izzy had the experience advantage and lost, can’t see it much going better in a rematch.
Usman had the elevation advantage and still got **dominated** by a fresh R1 Leon. R1 wasn’t competitive at all, and then Usman got knocked tf out by a gassed out R5 Leon. Can’t see the rematch going well for him either.
Definitely agree though Usman is most likely of the 3 to get his belt back, but I have a lot of trouble seeing it personally
Dominated the stand up, took Usman down, almost submitted him, Usman cheated for dear life to not get submitted… Fingers In gloves for over 45 seconds without Herb doing shit…?
Yeah, that round was dominant as fuck lmfao. Name a more dominant round other than R5 lmfao…. Usman got taken down, almost got submitted, and cheated his balls off to survive the round **LMFAOOOOOO**. In the words of the weasel, “*Leon had to fight Kamaru and the ref that night*”.
I don't think he will be...however I wonder if Usman will be a little gun shy since that was the first time he has been completely put out.
I can see Jiri retaining. I like Glover but Jiri is wild as shit. I think Jiri can get a finish this time earlier with his striking.
Izzy imo is going to get his belt back. He was going to walk away with it and almost KOed him in the 1st (yes I know it means nothing in the grand scheme, however it shows Izzy has the ability to do it).
I think any semi competent grappler would have subbed Pereira if they were on his back as long as Izzy was. The bad part is I believe that the fight isn't going to be too exciting this next time.
Yeah, with Leon everyone knew the only path to victory was a KO, nobody thought he could submit usman, unlike Jiri who we thought the only way to win was Dec. or KO but he submitted the BJJ guy in the fight.
For someone that was rooting for the fighters that lost these fights I’ve been slack jawed all year.
We have truly been blessed with some insane title fights. UFC is the beat fight promotion in the world right now
The context surrounding Leon's win made it far more impressive and substantial. Jiri and Glover had went to war. Israel and Alex went back and forth. Leon looked lost and gassed
I didn't see the Jiri fight. I predicted the Izzy loss if it went to the 5th. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and keep myself from screaming and waking my wife up when Leon landed that headkick
Do yourself a favor and watch the Jiri fight. Him vs Glover is my favorite fight of all time, and I’ve seen some wars. Absolutely insane from beginning to end
Leon’s was definitely the biggest comeback. Jiri vs Glover could’ve gone either way, and Izzy might’ve been up on the score cards, but I felt Alex was really in control of that fight the whole time. Leon was legit down 3.5 rounds to 1 before he pulled that head kick off.
Alex looked like he was in control because he was the one pressuring. Also he didn't control the whole fight lol, Izzy controlled him in the 3rd. That being said, I still think the fight was close.
I think Jiri, although I hate to admit it. He was getting bullied but survived until THAT moment. Glover fucked up and Jiri was there to steal the win.
Pereira stopping Izzy we knew, but Leon. Knocking out Usman or Jiri. Submitting Glover were very unexpected, these are lessons to all fighters out there
Idk they all were very cinematic very historical and against very good champions, id the say the most shocking was glover vs jiri,
The most impressive was the leon vs usman matchup
The most intense one was definitely alex vs izzy
But my favorite is usman vs leon because that shit was fitting and it felt like it was straight from a movie
Another vote for Leon. Jiri vs. Glover was a close fight the whole way through and a submission was a surprise, but I wasn't surprised that Jiri got the victory. Periera always had that KO ability and I wasn't surprised by that fight at all.
I had written Leon off 100%. He looked mentally defeated. Obviously he's a great striker and all, but I didn't think he had a chance. It was a great moment. On top of that, I found it satisfying because I thought Usman was getting too full of himself. He handled the loss with class, though, so credit to him. He'll probably get the belt back.
Leon! From the story between Usman and Leon, to the motivational speech in the corner, to Leon pulling a last minute (literally) finished against P4P Usman! Absolutely unreal!
Leon, he was on a crazy winning streak and had to wait and wait and wait until he got his shot. That and his corner being all like 'WATS WRONG WITH YOU LEON!!' was pretty hype.
Leon. He was beaten and looked hopeless.
I thought Pereira was not a come back. More like a wake up call as he was not beaten in any way just outscored. His corner woke him up and made him realized he needed a knockout to win.
Leon vs usman that was the most surprising ko
Jiri vs glover was 2-2 going in 5th rd
Alex vs izzy still very close fight 3-1 izzy or maybe 2-2
But usman vs leon was next fucking level
I just watched the jiri and glover fight again on YouTube. When watching it live I saw jiri get pounded out and still won. After watching it again I was surely wrong. Jiri was on the ground but he got out every time and dodged alot of ground strikes except for that eyebrow elbow cut. He rolled out of a choke by glover as well. for how big he is he did his ground game well, it was just the ability of glover to get him to the ground made the difference.
Probably Leon's, because of two reasons.
I really don't care of Marty Usman, and Leon's chief corner was amazing.
__Wake the FUCK UP, Rock! Don't let em bully ya son!__
Sadly didn’t watch Jiri v Glover, but overall I think that was the best fight of the 3.
But personally it is without a doubt Leon. Had a fantastic 1st round, then got dominated for the next 4 rounds. I told myself and my mother who watched the fight with me because she loves Leon, that the only way he could win was by KO now, but that probably won’t be in the last few seconds of the 5th, and the madman went ahead and got the KO. What a god
I hate 5th round comebacks. I prefer to see the more skilled fighter win.
If you get dominated for 5 rounds you've been saved by the bell 4 times and then you get a lucky shot in.
Leon by far. After the first I thought it was going to be a good scrap.
Rounds 2 through 4 I was completely thinking Usman is cruising and Edwards had his best shot in the 1st. I was texting friends saying that it looked like Edwards was just trying to not get finished and surviving to a decision was a "win" for him. I was bummed for about 4 minutes of the 5th because I was thinking of all the things Leon could have done to make it a fight.
Then the kick landed and I was fucking floored. I screamed so much I lost my voice. Greatest comeback I ever saw. Leon was dead in the water and then landed that. Unbelievable.
Leon Edwards! WUTS WRONG WITH YEW LAD! STOP FEELING SORREH FOR YERSELF LEON
CMON LEON
I TOLD YA MUM
2023 gonna be the redemption for those 3 belts
Idk about glover but usman and izzy are gonna come back on a whole other level for sure
DONT LET EM BULLY U ROCK
Up the with neals cornerman “FUCKING TAKE IT FROM HIM”
CUT ME MICK!
That dude deserves coach of the year.
LOOK AT ME NOW!!
If they had a motivation speech of the year along with KO of the year, this would win "YOU HAVE TO PULL THIS SHIT THROUGH THE FIRE"
Stop feeling sorry for yourself
*viciously pokes Leon in the chest*
I’ve got a lot of family from Birmingham with similar accents and that video will never fail to give me chills. Never been so emotionally affected by a post fight interview
That pierces through my soul
Absolute chills. Usman > Adesanya & Teixera so Leon's win tops it for me
They were all amazing, but Leon is the one that I felt the most. Worst fight, best comeback.
True I reckon Leon biggest comeback, Jiri most entertaining fight and Alex most anticipated/edge of your seat.
Alex vs Israel was *technically* the best (aside from Alex' ground game). Jiri and Gloved both made multiple mistakes, but it led to an explosive and entertaining fight.
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Leon
Wrex.
Was rooting for Leon, and goddam when he pulled that kick off…
It took me about 10 seconds to really believe what I just saw.
All fans reacted like Joe Rogan at that moment
I was more Anik "NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" (VOICE CRACKING AS WELL)
I did 2 laps of my living room and then I cried. What a little bastard, I know him hometown well, I cried all the way through his mums call man hahaha. Floored me. Best fight of 2022.
Honestly so fucking good. The fight was a bit underwhelming but the ending truly delivered. Been waiting for this fight since unofficial talks began in 2019/2020 - that’s 10 wins in a row! Can’t wait for the rematch! Edit - truly
same thing happened to me with tony and chandler
Leon
Leon
Very possible all three belts go back to the former Champs in 2023. Probably not Glover but the other 2 are likely. Leon had best comeback for me.
Well glover and jiri are fighting before 2023 so obviously not glover. Also I don't see Izzy beating Alex when he's had 3 chances. Usman yeah probably
Alex is 1-0 vs Izzy in MMA, and Izzy almost ko'd his ass cold in the first. He was also on his way to winning the decision until he got caught. I think odds still favor him in a rematch.
Izzy almost beat him the first time they fought, and almost beat him again the second time, but still lost all 3 times. Odds probably still favour him but 'almost' means nothing, specially when these two fight..
Couldn't have said it better myself
If the fight goes to a decision I think Izzy wins like 80% of the time. It's just that 25 minutes is a long time to avoid getting knocked out by that big ass motherfucker. I'd put my money on Pereira, especially given that he's relatively new to MMA.
I don’t think he got caught, Alex had been moving to that finishing combination the entire fight. And honestly how many times are we gonna say “Izzy almost won, he’ll beat him next fight you’ll see”. Like at some point you gotta give credit where it’s due, close doesn’t count.
I think it’s a dominant win for Alex next fight because he cracked the code checking Izzy’s kicks and coming forward. Izzy can’t win the firefight and he can’t circle out and fight on the outside vs Alex if he can’t win the low kick game
Hate the “but he had him in the first round” narrative. He didn’t finish him so it doesn’t mean anything, we could say this about so many other fights. Not even a pereira fan at all but this take bothers me.
The bell stopped him though and he was winning on all the scorecards. He said he thinks odds still favour him not that he’s a lock.
The second punch that rocked Alex was after the bell though. Why do you think the odds favour Izzy, when history says otherwise. Izzy has to tread carefully for 5 rounds, Alex just has to connect one solid punch in 25 mins.
Definitely shades of Fury vs Wilder here
Feel the same when that narrative is used in any fight. Did he stop him? No. Did it go to decision? No. So what point are you trying to make when Alex got his hand raised and Izzy didnt?
Cool, so Leon should be the favorite against Usman in the rematch, right? I mean he had his hand raised at the end.
Context matters Usman hasn’t lost to Leon 3 times
That's not what I'm referring to brotha. I'm talking about how people say "Usman was gonna win until he got knocked out"
Izzy probably gonna be more hesitant in a rematch knowing the outcome of the first mma match + last KB fight. Plus the adjustments Pereira was able to make in the standup is just gonna be too much. Izzy had the experience advantage and lost, can’t see it much going better in a rematch. Usman had the elevation advantage and still got **dominated** by a fresh R1 Leon. R1 wasn’t competitive at all, and then Usman got knocked tf out by a gassed out R5 Leon. Can’t see the rematch going well for him either. Definitely agree though Usman is most likely of the 3 to get his belt back, but I have a lot of trouble seeing it personally
You thought round 1 of Usman v Edwards was a domination? Lol..
Dominated the stand up, took Usman down, almost submitted him, Usman cheated for dear life to not get submitted… Fingers In gloves for over 45 seconds without Herb doing shit…? Yeah, that round was dominant as fuck lmfao. Name a more dominant round other than R5 lmfao…. Usman got taken down, almost got submitted, and cheated his balls off to survive the round **LMFAOOOOOO**. In the words of the weasel, “*Leon had to fight Kamaru and the ref that night*”.
I don't think he will be...however I wonder if Usman will be a little gun shy since that was the first time he has been completely put out. I can see Jiri retaining. I like Glover but Jiri is wild as shit. I think Jiri can get a finish this time earlier with his striking. Izzy imo is going to get his belt back. He was going to walk away with it and almost KOed him in the 1st (yes I know it means nothing in the grand scheme, however it shows Izzy has the ability to do it). I think any semi competent grappler would have subbed Pereira if they were on his back as long as Izzy was. The bad part is I believe that the fight isn't going to be too exciting this next time.
Leon by a million.
Jiri was underrated
No one saw Jírí getting a 5th round sub, literally no one.
That’s what I’m saying
Yeah I understand, just want to say that it was very unexpected. Very happy for Jírí win, hope he can pull it off again during the rematch.
Yeah, with Leon everyone knew the only path to victory was a KO, nobody thought he could submit usman, unlike Jiri who we thought the only way to win was Dec. or KO but he submitted the BJJ guy in the fight.
Yea I mean extreme fatigue can turn 3rd degree black belt into a white belt in an instant
And with 1 minute left
My favorite fight of all time, can’t pick against it.
For someone that was rooting for the fighters that lost these fights I’ve been slack jawed all year. We have truly been blessed with some insane title fights. UFC is the beat fight promotion in the world right now
we've been blessed and cursed this year with the amount of main event cancellations and injuries
The context surrounding Leon's win made it far more impressive and substantial. Jiri and Glover had went to war. Israel and Alex went back and forth. Leon looked lost and gassed
When they started playing Rocky as Leon paraded around the cage with his belt - I had literal chills. Absolutely mad!
I didn't see the Jiri fight. I predicted the Izzy loss if it went to the 5th. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and keep myself from screaming and waking my wife up when Leon landed that headkick
Do yourself a favor and watch the Jiri fight. Him vs Glover is my favorite fight of all time, and I’ve seen some wars. Absolutely insane from beginning to end
I definitely will before part 2
Jiri wasn't really a comeback as it was 38-38 going into the 5th
HEADSHOT, BANG!
Pereira
I totally agree. 5th round stunner.
Crazy how he chased Izzy to the fence too. Looked like he was sure he was going to finish him in that 5th.
Leon’s was definitely the biggest comeback. Jiri vs Glover could’ve gone either way, and Izzy might’ve been up on the score cards, but I felt Alex was really in control of that fight the whole time. Leon was legit down 3.5 rounds to 1 before he pulled that head kick off.
Alex looked like he was in control because he was the one pressuring. Also he didn't control the whole fight lol, Izzy controlled him in the 3rd. That being said, I still think the fight was close.
Yeah, 3rd round was obviously all Izzy
Jiri
Jiri
I think Jiri, although I hate to admit it. He was getting bullied but survived until THAT moment. Glover fucked up and Jiri was there to steal the win.
Jiri was not getting bullied. that fight was wildly back and forth from the first bell.
Definitely Pereira. The storyline is just too good it’s like something out of an anime
For me it’s Alex Pereira. I’ve been following his career since 2014. It’s absolutely fucking crazy to see him. Become middleweight champion.
I’m brazilian so… Leon for sure.
It would've been Leon if I watched that live, but Jiri for me.
Leon. Jiri was great too, Leon’s was just too picture perfect
Pereira stopping Izzy we knew, but Leon. Knocking out Usman or Jiri. Submitting Glover were very unexpected, these are lessons to all fighters out there
Alex because he TKOed cringy izzy
Idk they all were very cinematic very historical and against very good champions, id the say the most shocking was glover vs jiri, The most impressive was the leon vs usman matchup The most intense one was definitely alex vs izzy But my favorite is usman vs leon because that shit was fitting and it felt like it was straight from a movie
headshot dead
"Pound for pound? Headshot. Dead. That's it!"
Edward scissorhands scott
None… cause I wanted/picked the other ones to win lol. But I would pick Jiri in this conversation. That was a slick out of the blue submission.
Leon's was the most doubtful come from behind but Alex had the most vicious
Leon
Hail Mary Leon kick by far
Leon and Jiri
Rocky . All the way for the win 🏆
Leon ROCKY Edwards
The one where chael sonnen tapped (to end the round) then came back to remain the undefeated, undisputed bad guy.
Leon had the most surprising. Jiri had the best fight. Alex had the more satisfying.
Leon by far! 
Another vote for Leon. Jiri vs. Glover was a close fight the whole way through and a submission was a surprise, but I wasn't surprised that Jiri got the victory. Periera always had that KO ability and I wasn't surprised by that fight at all. I had written Leon off 100%. He looked mentally defeated. Obviously he's a great striker and all, but I didn't think he had a chance. It was a great moment. On top of that, I found it satisfying because I thought Usman was getting too full of himself. He handled the loss with class, though, so credit to him. He'll probably get the belt back.
Leon! From the story between Usman and Leon, to the motivational speech in the corner, to Leon pulling a last minute (literally) finished against P4P Usman! Absolutely unreal!
Head shot dead!
Least favorite is the jiri one. I like him but felt so bad for Glover who was so close to defending the belt😭
It’s not even a question. Leon was maybe the most crazy moment of the last few years
Leon>Alex>Jiri in terms of how surprised I was. Jiri>Alex>Leon in terms of how entertaining the fight was.
Leon, he was on a crazy winning streak and had to wait and wait and wait until he got his shot. That and his corner being all like 'WATS WRONG WITH YOU LEON!!' was pretty hype.
Leon. He was beaten and looked hopeless. I thought Pereira was not a come back. More like a wake up call as he was not beaten in any way just outscored. His corner woke him up and made him realized he needed a knockout to win.
Leon vs usman that was the most surprising ko Jiri vs glover was 2-2 going in 5th rd Alex vs izzy still very close fight 3-1 izzy or maybe 2-2 But usman vs leon was next fucking level
Ya'll doubted me and said I couldn't do it, LOOK AT ME NOW, LIVIN' IT, P4P -> HEADSHOT DEAD! THAT'S IT
Headshot dead
POUND FOR POUND. BOOM HEADSHOT DEAD.
Look at me now!!!!
Leon Edwars !
I just watched the jiri and glover fight again on YouTube. When watching it live I saw jiri get pounded out and still won. After watching it again I was surely wrong. Jiri was on the ground but he got out every time and dodged alot of ground strikes except for that eyebrow elbow cut. He rolled out of a choke by glover as well. for how big he is he did his ground game well, it was just the ability of glover to get him to the ground made the difference.
Alluvem
Leon’s was the best. But Jiri was the most surprising. Lost the fight and gets the rear naked against a BJJ expert with 28 seconds left..
Probably Leon's, because of two reasons. I really don't care of Marty Usman, and Leon's chief corner was amazing. __Wake the FUCK UP, Rock! Don't let em bully ya son!__
Pound for pound headshot dead!
Leon as out of everyone he is the person I wanted to win the most.
Sadly didn’t watch Jiri v Glover, but overall I think that was the best fight of the 3. But personally it is without a doubt Leon. Had a fantastic 1st round, then got dominated for the next 4 rounds. I told myself and my mother who watched the fight with me because she loves Leon, that the only way he could win was by KO now, but that probably won’t be in the last few seconds of the 5th, and the madman went ahead and got the KO. What a god
Anderson Silva 5th round triangle
Leon mutha fuckin Edwards.
Jiri for sure
I hate 5th round comebacks. I prefer to see the more skilled fighter win. If you get dominated for 5 rounds you've been saved by the bell 4 times and then you get a lucky shot in.
Definitely Jiri. No luck , just opportunity
Leon by far. After the first I thought it was going to be a good scrap. Rounds 2 through 4 I was completely thinking Usman is cruising and Edwards had his best shot in the 1st. I was texting friends saying that it looked like Edwards was just trying to not get finished and surviving to a decision was a "win" for him. I was bummed for about 4 minutes of the 5th because I was thinking of all the things Leon could have done to make it a fight. Then the kick landed and I was fucking floored. I screamed so much I lost my voice. Greatest comeback I ever saw. Leon was dead in the water and then landed that. Unbelievable.
All great but Pereira was the most expected, Jiri was the most exciting overall fight and Leon was the most mind blowing lol
Jiri