As if the list for 2013 Fight of the Year wasn’t long enough, Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva had to go and put on the most staggering, how-are-these-guys-still-alive, oh-my-god-somehow-this-lasted-five-rounds war of attrition and turn us all into children again, if only for a few preposterous minutes.
Between the big boys’ instant classic of a main event — perhaps what may be the most well-received majority draw in MMA history — to Shogun Rua’s thunderous statement that yes, he is in fact still here, UFC Fight Night 33 left us with plenty to talk about. But before we get to any of that, it’s mandatory that we take a look at Friday night’s slow evolution from simple violent delight, to complete, unhinged glee.
F….k this is for real!!!
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) December 7, 2013
HOLY SHIT what a HW fight!!!!! @FOXSports1
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
I’ve never seen a guy pounce on a hurt fighter as slowly as Mark Hunt just did
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
This is a fucking fight!!!!!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 7, 2013
I love the main event It’s got me yelling at the TV @ufc
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 7, 2013
WHAAAT A FIGHT!!!! @ufc
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) December 7, 2013
In fucking sane!!!
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
One of the best HW fights ever…
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) December 7, 2013
This is beautiful #huntvssilva
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) December 7, 2013
Gotta say I <3 @markhunt1974 … Def one of my fav fighters
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 7, 2013
Hunt is really proving he has evolved into a true MMA fighter
— Chris Clements (@menaceclements) December 7, 2013
These monsters are fighting like middleweights!!!! Here we go round 5 @FOXSports1
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
Wow one more round!!! its like #godzilla vs #kingkong #heavyhands
— Pascal Krauss (@pascalkrauss) December 7, 2013
Bull shit ref
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 7, 2013
Wow stupid red. Letting silva have time to recover
— Chris Clements (@menaceclements) December 7, 2013
Wow this ref just saved silva…
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 7, 2013
Bad timeout call against the cage!!! Wtf!!!
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) December 7, 2013
What a fucking fight never did I think this was going 5 fucking rounds
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) December 7, 2013
This smile on my face will be here for at least a week. #Respect
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) December 7, 2013
I honestly can’t fucking believe this!!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
Mark Hunt is the modern day gladiator! He should have his own belt! The Mark Hunt belt!!!!!! WOW!!!!!! @ufc
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) December 7, 2013
WOW definition of Rockem Sockem Robots! #HuntvsBigfoot = AS REAL AS IT GETS! #UFCBrisbane @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta #UFCFightNight
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) December 7, 2013
Que luta incrível , dois dos grandes e melhores lutadores do mundo! What a incredible fight two of the best fighters in the world
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 7, 2013
Crazy, holy sh1t, fu@k,#ufc
— Sean Pierson (@seanpierson) December 7, 2013
Hunt and Silva!!! Bad ass guys!!
— Rick (@Rick_Story) December 7, 2013
Wow one of the best heavyweight fights of all time
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 7, 2013
Fight of the year!! pic.twitter.com/BwkB0CMyVj
— Chan Sung Jung (@KoreanZombieMMA) December 7, 2013
That fight was insane #HuntvsBigfoot @ufc
— Joe Proctor (@JoeProctor) December 7, 2013
Hunt and silva are so freaking tough!!! I’m pretty sure those hits would cave my skull in!!! Jeeeezzzzzz
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) December 7, 2013
What a fight! Heavyweights! Wow!!! Both guys soo much resolve… Now for the decision…
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
I don’t even care who wins
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) December 7, 2013
I’m speechless right now. That was just beautiful.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) December 7, 2013
Both Hunt and Silva win FON and both get their win bonus and I might buy them both their own private ISLANDS!!!! Sickest HW fight ever!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
Either way they score the fight both of those guys left it all in the octagon! What a War! #ufcfight33 #ufcfightnight
— Darren Elkins (@Darren_Elkins) December 7, 2013
Holy shit that was the craziest fight I have ever seen!!! This sport is crazy!!! #BigfootvsHunt #UFCBrisbane
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) December 7, 2013
Neither fighter deserves to loose this fight!!! 😧
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 7, 2013
How did that fight go the distance? 2 massive heavyweights landing huge shots. Crazy @ufc What a fight!!
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) December 7, 2013
Thank you Hunt & Silva amazing boys!
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 7, 2013
Omg this fight was awesome! Don Frye eat ur heart out. Move over @Markhunt is my new favorite fight of all time. Wow! @ufc
— Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) December 7, 2013
Wow! …. a masterpiece @ufc #UFCFightNight
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 7, 2013
I have no idea how Bigfoot stayed standing… Warrior!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 7, 2013
Respect pic.twitter.com/YPZVAvtAtR
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) December 7, 2013
Think there could have been 3, 10-8 rnds… Def give 1,2 and 4 to Bigfoot. 4th was most likely 10-8 Hunt 3-5 could have been 10-8 or 10-9
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
Best decision ever!!!!!!!
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 7, 2013
And the winner is…… THE FANS!!! #FoxSports1 #UFCFightNight #HuntvsBigfoot
— Joe Proctor (@JoeProctor) December 7, 2013
I guess that’s not a bad draw considering they both left their hearts and brains in the cage lol
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) December 7, 2013
Neither guy deserved to lose… Amazing fight. 2013 has been the best year of fights yet!!!!
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
I have to say that this is the first time I have ever been happy with a Draw. #BigfootvsHunt #fightlife
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) December 7, 2013
No one should loose in a fight like that, I’m cool with that judges decision
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) December 7, 2013
Never been so happy with a draw #2winners #HuntvsSilva
— Pascal Krauss (@pascalkrauss) December 7, 2013
All the complaints of judges usually get I have to say they should get some respect for that Draw. Couldn’t separate them
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) December 7, 2013
I’ll take it. Would love to see that again
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) December 7, 2013
I agree that I have NEVER been so happy with a draw in my life! I am happy it was a draw. Winner of that fight is US the fans!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
One of the few times I’m actually very happy with a draw. The both fought so ridiculously hard, neither lost in my eyes
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) December 7, 2013
My heart is still racing from that main event! I was up jumping around and screaming at my tv. Only the @ufc can make me feel this way!
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) December 7, 2013
Great fight! @markhunt1974 is my hero. Giant in tough as fuck
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 7, 2013
You want to introduce someone Into #mma you show them a fight like this …we as #mma fighters R the most underpaid athletes in pro sports
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) December 7, 2013
I watched the 5th round of Hunt vs Bigfoot three times already this shit is ridiculous ! Real life Rocky scene #UFCFightNight
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) December 7, 2013
@BigfootSilva and @markhunt1974 u guys are awesome. Wow guys! I have no idea why I’m laughing I think u guys have made me happy DC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 7, 2013
Insane!!! @BigfootSilva & markhunt…. loved that 5rd war. @ufc @AmericanTopTeam
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) December 7, 2013
Amazing fight @ufc this is why this sport is amazing
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) December 7, 2013
WOOOW! (Aside from Cain JDS 2) I can’t think of a heavyweight fight that went to decision that I liked more. Mark Hunt is so exciting.
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) December 7, 2013
That was by far one of my fav heave weight fight up to date…. Wow amazing
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) December 7, 2013
There was no loser after a fight like that!!! That was a good call on the draw!!! #BigfootHunt
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) December 7, 2013
How am I gonna sleep after watching that battle? Wife’s bday tomorrow and of course, my turn to get up with the baby… Dang!!!
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
#UBELIEVABLE… BEST FIGHT EVER!!! Grateful for fights like this @danawhite @ufc
— KATALINA MALUNGAHU (@KatalinaMMA) December 7, 2013
That has climbed up as my favorite fight right there wow #BigfootvsHunt #UFCFightNight @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) December 7, 2013
I was dead tired before tht fight, now i gotta try to sleep??? @ufc
— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) December 7, 2013
2 Warriors pic.twitter.com/iYkgjTBc5J
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) December 7, 2013
HE LIVES
KO of the CENTURY!!!!! @FOXSports1 @ShogunRua
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 7, 2013
What a beautiful counter by Shogun! #UFCFightNight
— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) December 7, 2013
DYNAMITE!!! never count out the legends in our sport. Congrats @ShogunRua @ufc @lunarpages http://t.co/daHfWFQEox
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 7, 2013
Shogun is back! 😄#UFCFightNight
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) December 7, 2013
Oh wow!!! Shogun hurt my head with that Ko! Remind me not to pick against that guy again!! Yikes!!!
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) December 7, 2013
And that is exactly why I couldn’t believe shogun was the underdog….
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 7, 2013
Why in the hell would u fight shogun with ur hands in ur pockets big mistake
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) December 7, 2013
That was hendo bisbing esque
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
“@DjSammyV: @junior_cigano shogun did amazing knock out” Great one!
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 7, 2013
You knock the guy out cold. He is helpless on the mat. you see that why not just walk away! Why do you need to throw a bomb at his head?!?!
— Krzysztof Soszynski (@KSOSufc) December 7, 2013
did not see the reply, looks like like he pulled his punch 2 the right + hit the mat. If that is the case than that I spoke too soon. Sorry
— Krzysztof Soszynski (@KSOSufc) December 7, 2013
Not many people beat Shogun standing up! What a KO
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) December 7, 2013
Shogun at 185 would be scary
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) December 7, 2013
Beautiful left hook by @ShogunRua #UFCBrisbane
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) December 7, 2013
Shogun is on the new season of wicked tuna the way he fished him in
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) December 7, 2013
Well, Shogun showed he can still hit. The question is whether he is still a threat at the elite level
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
Shogun is still a BEAST!!! What a beautiful KO.
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) December 7, 2013
Fucking Nasty!!! Looked the sharpest he’s looked in awhile.
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) December 7, 2013
Just had a quick nap lol, oh well…made a mistake and paid the price. Would like to thank everyone for the… http://t.co/1sScUWDtkn
— James Te Huna (@JamesTeHuna) December 7, 2013
WHAT’S A GUY GOTTA DO TO GET A 10-8 AROUND HERE?
Perosh got some balls. #UFCFightNight
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) December 7, 2013
Perosh is a warrior! But if Bader can’t finish him, he should drop to LW division! #smh
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) December 7, 2013
Hey ref Stop this fight please !!!!
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) December 7, 2013
Great heart being shown by the hippo @AnthonyPerosh
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) December 7, 2013
Short elbows are fun.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) December 7, 2013
That’s a shit load of blood
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) December 7, 2013
@ryanbader looking like @cainmma tonight covered in blood.
— Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) December 7, 2013
Beautiful and dominant performance @ryanbader I love you buddy
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) December 7, 2013
Looks like a nice break in my right hand. Gonna be a long flight home. Had fun out there though! http://t.co/kbdPPaferG
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) December 7, 2013
Much respect to @AnthonyPerosh guy is tough as nails. Pleasure to share the octagon with you.
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) December 7, 2013
The ref or perosh corner should have stopped it after the second round. This is how fighters have problems later in life.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 7, 2013
Boxing cornermen would’ve saved their fighter a long time before the end of that bell
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 7, 2013
If the corners could see the judges scoring electronically between rounds this could save our sport #pace #fightersafety #excitement
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 7, 2013
YES, HULK SMASH
I think my face is stuck smiling from @soathehulk post fight win @UFCONFOX speech! Just makes you happy!
— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) December 7, 2013
So happy for @soathehulk great knock out bro. #HulkSmash
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) December 7, 2013
Darn it! Love @HypeOrDie! Next time we will get the W.
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) December 7, 2013
Palelei dribbled his head like a basketball ! #UFCFightNight
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) December 7, 2013
Damn I hope Pat Berry doesn’t get cut.
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) December 7, 2013
Note to beginning fighters: never let a giant Polynesian get full mount on you
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
Pat berry is one of the nicest and funniest guys I’ve ever met every time I see him I know I’m gonna laugh my ass off
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) December 7, 2013
Did not like seeing pat Barry fall over after the fight like that.
— michael (@bisping) December 7, 2013
TUF 17 REVISITED
Great show of courage from Dylan the villain. Kept on fighting with a dislocated shoulder.
— michael (@bisping) December 7, 2013
Sucks for @dylanthevillian hurt his shoulder during the Papey fight. Guess it hasn’t healed quite all the way. #damninjuries #UFCFightNight
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) December 7, 2013
I knew right after he threw that punch that something very bad just happened but good fight until that happened.
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) December 7, 2013
Damn injuries suck. That’s why I don’t throw overhand punches!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) December 7, 2013
Andrews shoulder looked popped out bad
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) December 7, 2013
Wow, what a fight and what a show of sportsmanship on #hester vs #andrews @UFCONFOX!
— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) December 7, 2013
Congrats to one of my favorite Georgia fighters. @clinthester
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 7, 2013
@dylanthevillian it was a pleasure Sharing the octagon with u brother!! Chur bro!!!
— Clint Hester (@clinthester) December 7, 2013
CORREIA EDGES KEDZIE
I had Julie winning but @bethecorreia wins by split decision
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) December 7, 2013
Oh mAn oh man !!! Decision !!! #ufc u love Mma 😉 makes my life so fun .
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) December 7, 2013
I love how an elbow missed and Greg Jackson sold it like it took her head off
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
Where was Greg Jackson when I was an awkward high school freshman? He would have filled me with much-needed confidence
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
Greg Jackson as my Dad: “Sure son!! Ask out the head cheerleader!! You’re a CATCH son!! Everyone has acne at 14!’
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 7, 2013
Before walking out to my fight today, I had a long talk with my coach and we decided that this would be my last MMA fight.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 7, 2013
I would have loved to have gone out on a win, but c’est la vie-don’t leave it to the judges. Heartbreak is a huge part of this sport.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 7, 2013
I really truly want to thank all of you for being a part of my journey as a fighter. I will still be involved in MMA for the rest of my life
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 7, 2013
..but now it’s time for me to accept that I can give more to the sport by stepping back and taking role in helping to develop other fighters
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 7, 2013
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the @UFC , my team, and all of you who have made me achieve some amazing dreams.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 7, 2013