The New Year may have brought forth a rash of injuries and failed drug tests, but by the time January said goodbye it left fight fans wanting more.
January featured memorable returns, budding superstars and exciting title fights.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones and former middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva withstood battles against gritty foes. No. 1 contenders emerged as vocal Irishman Conor McGregor and knockout artist Anthony “Rumble” Johnson continued their assault on the featherweight and light heavyweight divisions, respectively.
January’s mixed martial arts action wasn’t just confined to an Octagon. Former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Jake Shields faced Brian Foster in a welterweight title eliminator at World Series of Fighting 17, while Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire defended his title against Daniel Straus.
For a look back at the month of MMA that was, stroll through the following pages. But before we do that, let’s reveal the honorable mentions.