2010 Fighter of the Year: Cain Velasquez

Photo via: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

UFC 110
February 21, 2010
Sydney, Australia

Cain Velasquez becomes the first man in the history of the sport to KO heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nogueira, a veteran of 40 MMA fights, fell victim to a brutal upper cut right hook combo that was followed by a handful of filthy blows after Big Nog was dropped to the ground. This earned Velasquez #1 Contender status in the UFC Heavyweight division.

UFC 121
October 23, 2010
Anaheim,California

Velasquez ended Brock Lesnar’s reign as UFC Heavyweight Champion in magical fashion on this night. Cain stayed focus surviving an embarrassing early Brock outburst, and eventually finished the contest on his own terms via TKO fashion in the 1st Round dishing out the Beatdown of the Year. Velasquez enters 2011 as arguably the most exciting Heavyweight Champion in the history of the promotion with his biggest test to date still ahead of him in the form of Brazilian Powerhouse Junior Dos Santos.

Runner up: Jose Aldo

Honorable Mentions: Frankie Edgar, Nick Diaz, Chris Leben, Jon Jones