This year offered an assortment of spectacular fights. Many a men engaged in highly memorable duels, and while fights like Frankie Edgar versus Gray Maynard III, Nick Diaz versus Paul Daley, and Jose Aldo versus Mark Hominick are certainly worthy of such recognition, one fight took place this year that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.

At UFC 139 two longtime veterans met for the first time, despite traveling similar career courses for years: Dan “Hendo” Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. These two engaged in a war to be remembered. For five full rounds, both men utilized every tool in their repertoire, which led to a frenetic bout that saw plenty of action on the feet, as well as some solid ground work.