So, most of my mma consumption is sourced from ONE. As a result, this is essentially my favorite fights and fighters from that company, but with a touch of Bellator added in for good measure. I mean, they did house my favorite fight of the year. They'd also be on the list far more if so many of their fights that I watched didn't end so quickly.
BEST FIGHTS
****1/2
-Girtz/Saad (bellator)
****
-Daichi/Tang (one)
-Kingad/Ikeda (one)
-Ariel/Amir (one)
-Thanki/Akiyama (one)
-Xiong/Lee (one)
-Xiong/Lee (one)
-Sam-A/Haggerty (one)
-Pacio/Saruta (one)
-Sumter/Felix (bellator)
-Aung La/Vera (one)
***1/2
-Pacio/Saruta (one)
-Stamp/Todd (one)
-Belingon/Fernandes (one)
-Aoki/Lee (one)
-Lineker/Gafurov (one)
AWARDS
Best Male Fighter: Joshua Pacio
Pacio lost the Strawweight Championship to start the year against an impromptu opponent by split decision, but reclaimed the title in convincing fashion and then successfully defended it in November. His heart and determination, as well as his technique sold me on naming him my fighter of the year.
Best Female Fighter of 2019: Stamp Fairtex
Stamp has made a huge name for herself in quick order, and currently holds the ONE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Atomweight Championships. She has three unanimous decision wins this year and a third round submission victory, too. She's a true star and one to keep an eye on in 2020!
Best Fight: Girtz vs Saad (Bellator 219)
This felt like watching an edge-of-your-seat style short-film, with a level of heart and passion on display that I sincerely don't think was matched in the mma world this year. Girtz and Saad put on a cinematic display and I urge all to go check it out if you missed it.
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