2012 was another banner year for MMA in Houston, TX. As it comes to an end, I wanted to share my opinions on the best fights, fighters and finishes from the pro circuit on the Houston scene.
PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSION OF THE YEAR
Jeff Rexroad vs. Lucas Pimenta at Legacy FC 14
There wasn't much of a debate on this one. Lucas Pimenta was dominating Jeff Rexroad in the main event of Legacy 14. Rexroad offered little in the way of standup for the Brazilian, and Pimenta had avoided takedowns. That is, until late in the second round when Pimenta inexplicably shot in for a takedown on Rexroad. Rexroad immediately went to rubber guard, and after working his arm inside he finished the fight with a choke. Since no one had seen it before, he had the honor of having it named after him. Jeff Rexroad's "Rexangle" submission was the best in Houston by far, and I would argue the best in the sport this year, period.
Runner-up: Alan Nascimento vs. Terry Acker at Legacy FC 12
Honorable Mentions: Steven Peterson vs. Cody Williams at Legacy FC 14
Ryan Benoit vs. Cody Williams at Legacy FC 14
Justin Ledet vs. Ike Villanueva at IMKF 2
PROFESSIONAL KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Williams at Legacy FC 15
Had this fight lasted more than half a round, it would be in contention for fight of the year. The flame throwing Williams and Muay-Thai pro Almeida were both willing to stand and trade until someone dropped. Just when it looked like the undefeated Gold Team product was going to be the one to fall first, he pulled a hook into a short elbow that sent Williams to the floor in a heap. It was one of the most action-packed 2 and a half minutes of the year, and one of the most spectacular finishes as well.
Runner-up: Rey Trujillo vs. Munil Adriano at Legacy FC 10
Honorable Mentions: Jorge "Macaco" Patino vs. Clay Hantz at Legacy FC 11
Domingo Pilarte vs. Daniel Delgado at Legacy FC 15
Derrick Lewis vs. Jared Rosholt at Legacy FC 13
PROFESSIONAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Derrick Lewis vs. Jared Rosholt at Legacy FC 13
While this fight technically took place in Dallas, the performance of Houston's Derrick Lewis is all anyone could talk about at the end of the night. Having just lost his grandfather, Lewis dedicated the fight to his memory before he took the cage. Things didn't look good early on, as Lewis was unable to stop the takedowns of the superior wrestler. As both men looked gassed late in the 2nd round. It was Lewis who landed a big kick and a right hand that crumbled Rosholt to the mat, giving an incredibly emotional Lewis the Legacy Heavyweight Championship.
Runner-up: Ray Blodgett vs. Scotty Juarez at Legacy FC 12
Honorable Mentions: Matt Schnell vs. Ryan Hollis at Legacy FC 14
Pat Audinwood vs. Justin Reiswerg at Legacy FC 10
Alex Morono vs. Rashon Lewis at Legacy FC 10
PROFESSIONAL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Charlie Ontiveros (Hard Head Hitters)
After starting 2013 by ending Levi West's 6-fight win streak in the amateur ranks, Ontiveros went on to go 3-0 in Legacy, leaving little doubt in any of those three fights. He was most recently matched up with another striker, Patrick Hutton, at Legacy 15. On his back for the first time as a pro, Ontiveros didn't panic, instead showing he knows a little jiu-jitsu by finishing the veteran with an arm bar. Look for more of Ontiveros on the televised Legacy cards this year, as it looks like Houston may have a star in the making.
Runner-up: Matt Schnell (Gladiators Academy- Shreveport, LA)
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Hollis (Hard Head Hitters)
Matt Steward (BVMMA)
Darrion Caldwell (Power MMA & Fitness- Arizona)
PROFESSIONAL CARD OF THE YEAR
Legacy FC 14
While Legacy 14 will always be remember for the "Rexangle" and the interim title that came along with it for Jeff Rexroad, the card was loaded with entertaining fights. The Steven Peterson- Cody Williams fight was an awesome battle with an incredible submission finish. Lester Batres finished Jonathan Harris with a violent knee to the body, and Ryan Hollis and Matt Schnell had a fight that I still think deserves a rematch.
Runner-up: Legacy FC 10
Honorable Mentions: Legacy FC 12
Legacy FC 15
Legacy FC 11
PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER OF THE YEAR*
Robert Drysdale (Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu)
We saw him for less than 3:00 of cage time in his two fights for Legacy FC this year, but he had two impressive submissions against two very different fighters. He first dispatched an excellent striker in the co-main event of Legacy 12, when he arm barred Ike Villanueva. More recently he got on top of Chris Reed, one of the Houston area's most respected wrestlers, and finished him with another arm bar. While training some of the best guys in the world at his gym in Vegas, he has made time to fight twice in Houston this year. Hopefully 2013 lets us see him again.d
Runner-up: Derrick Lewis (Silverback Fight Club)
Honorable Mentions: Lester Batres (Paradigm Training Center)
Charlie Ontiveros (Hard Head Hitters)
Bubba Bush (BVMMA)
*When making out my "fighter of the year" list, I used fighters who had at least two fights and are still fought for a Houston based promotion in 2012. This excludes local fighters in the UFC such as Daniel Pineda and Andrew Craig.
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