The Best MMA Moments Of 2008

FighterOfTheYear- Gegard "The Young Vagabond" Mousasi (24-2-1) Barely known in the United States at the beginning of the year, the then 18-2-1 Armenian/Dutchman who trains with the Red Devil International team, began the year at Hardcore Championship Fighting besting Chute Boxe's Evangelista Santos, and ended the year with the DREAM promotion as its Middleweight Grand Prix Champion. He would fight 6 times in '08 besting Steve Mensing, Dong Sik Yoon, Melvin Manhoef, Ronaldo Souza, and the aforementioned "Cyborg." An amazing year for an amazing fighter and the best informative article can be found here http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/europes-best-kept-secret-10092

FightOfTheYear- Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen vs Eddie Alvarez It was a 15:00 minute war during DREAM's Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals on May 11, 2008. Joachim was the vicious striker from Norway who ran headfirst into Alvarez the KO machine from Philly. There was no feeling out process, just two men throwing to kill for the entire duration. Multiple knockdowns for both men and a blitzkrieg match that ended with the judges awarding Eddie the win.

KnockoutOfTheYear- Everyone's favorite explosivo finish had a plethora of candidates this year. Rashad Evans stunned the world and Chuck Liddell. Rory Markham stole a win from Brodie Farber with an amazing head kick. Josh Koscheck put Yoshiyuki Yoshida to sleep for some time. For me, the award goes to little known Jeremy Stephens Mortal Kombat style uppercut of death to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 91.

SubmissionOfTheYear- Mitsurhiro "The Endless Warrior" Ishida got back on track with the slickest jumping armbar over Justin Wilcox at Strikeforce @ The Playboy Mansion II. Sorry Aoki.

BreakoutFighterOfTheYear- Demian Maia The Sao Paulo Super-Star sprung into the UFC winning all 4 of his fights by submission. Making opponents look silly with his impression of Royce Gracie circa UFC 1 & 2. The Wanderlei Silva protege can pull guard or grind out at dirty fight (like with Jason MacDonald) but one way or another, you are going to tap.