The Potato Awards: The Best and Worst of 2008
Fighter of the Year: Anderson Silva
Okay, so all the headlines weren’t positive for "The Spider" this year, but when the worst complaint you can lodge against a guy is that he acted like a jerk in toying with an outclassed challenger, you don’t have that much to complain about. He’s still the most dominant force in the MMA universe, and that doesn’t seem like it’s going to change any time soon.
Beatdown of the Year: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia - Watch more free videos
Thirty-six seconds. That’s all it took for Fedor to dispatch a former UFC heavyweight champ and earn himself a ride on “the big rollercoasters” in southern California. A more satisfying and complete destruction you shall rarely see.
Best Pre-Fight Ritual: The Jackson Camp Nipple-Tweak
Yeah, you're going to look like a creep if you do it. You're also going to look like a creep who just spent six weeks in Greg Jackson's gym and is now fixing to kick some ass. Rashad Evans claimed UFC gold without it, but given its track record this little ritual probably isn't going anywhere.
Worst Event: EliteXC Primetime
"That ear popped!" When this is your main event, you already know you're bullshit. When it ends like this on live network TV, the rest of the world knows it too.
Biggest Upset: Mike Brown shocks Urijah Faber
Worst Promoter: (tie) Gary Shaw (EliteXC), Jared Shaw (EliteXC)
Best Performance on a Reality Show: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Gnarliest injury: Corey Hill's broken leg
(Honorable mention: Kim Couture's jaw)
Most disappointing fight: Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote
Breakout Fighter of the Year: Brock Lesnar
(Honorable Mention: Miguel Torres, Gegard Mousasi)
Comeback Fighter of the Year: Frank Mir
Best Event: UFC 92
Best Trainer: Greg Jackson
Biggest Head-Case: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
(Honorable Mention: Junie Browning)
Most Pathetic Performance: (tie) Lina Kvokov (against Kim Couture), Bob Sapp (against Jan Nortje)
Best entrance: Dave Kaplan
Biggest Interview Fuck-Up: Seth Petruzelli
“The promoters kinda hinted to me, and they gave me the money to stand and trade with him. They didn't want me to take him down. Let's just put it that way. It was worth my while to try and stand up and punch with him.”
Worst ref: “Regional” Donnie Jessup
(Honorable Mention: Steve Mazzagatti)
Worst Partnership: Affliction/Golden Boy
Best Free Event: WEC 34 (Faber vs. Pulver, Torres vs. Maeda)
Worst Value for the Money: Tim Sylvia, $800,000 for Affliction: Banned
(Honorable Mention: Kimbo Slice, $500,000 for EliteXC: Heat)
Best Value for the Money: Gina Carano, $25,000, including $10,000 win bonus, for Elite XC: Heat.
Best Internet Call-Out: Jeff Monson
(Honorable Mention: Dan Quinn)
Best Internet Call-Out Parody: Mike Brown
Best Hotel Room Moment: Gina Carano and Tonya Evinger
(Honorable Mention: Patrick Cote talks Anderson Silva)
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Comments
TheRail1 Says:
Single worst fight performance-Kalib Starnes
bold Says:
lmao calling out jeff monson hes not even in the fuckin espn mag
Walrus Says:
Pretty spot on on all of those
Frank Says:
How could you forget Starnes' infamous laps around the Octagon with Quarry doing the running man after him? Starnes should also get an award for the best after-fight comment: "Oh yeah, pussy, why don't YOU get in here and fight him?"
Jonny5 Says:
Gotta agree with Frank on this one. C'mon CP Sapp actually attempted to dish out some and took his like a champ. Mind you my comment is only valid when comparing to Kalib Starnes pathetic show in Mtl.
McGraw Says:
Monson finally got his face in ESPN this week...
babcock Says:
Thats a lotta man punching another large vagina in the face
cr_trinity Says:
Yeah the jounalistic level is getting pretty good, I'll admit that. And you did well highlighting how much of a mixed bag 2008 was. AND i'm glad you're now joing the list of credible MM jounalists who are calling into question Kevin "WorkMan" Ferguson's entire career. If only more MMA journalists would clamour for a fighter's union.... And see throught the cult of Personality that is the Fertitta Ass Puppet, Dana White...
eelcozy Says:
Oh man dead on with the Sapp/Nortje fight. I was actually at that event...everyone was cheering for Sapp except for me.
I think I screamed something about how he was going to make his cryface...then he did.
WilliamShatner Says:
This list is so fucking bad I don't even know where to start.
EliteXC Primetime was not even close to the worst event. I mean that's just ridiculous and the Greg Jackson guys prefight nipple tweak is the dumbest fucking thing I can remember a fighter doing before a fight. I mean it's fucking stupid!
Brock Lesnar as breakout fighter of the year is a joke. He was handpicked to get a title shot because of the fucking WWF fan draw.
The breakout fighter of the year was Shinya Aoki.
UFC 92 WASN'T even close to the best event. That's laughable!
Giving guys like Dave Kaplan or Junie Browning any kind of award is a crime. Even if Browning's was a headcase award the guy deserves no publicity for anything this season of TUF had the biggest collection of trash they've ever had a total waste.
Whoever is responsible for this list better rethink about ever making another one. They also better watch more MMA if they're going to post this shit list!
Anonymous Says:
Wow Will Shatner is a tool. Calm down dude. I think the list is good.
WilliamShatner Says:
I disagree with the list so I should "calm down"?
How bout you go Fuck yourself!
sol Says:
William Shatner is just upset he didn't get invited to George Takei's gay wedding.
WilliamShatner Says:
"sol" get fucked!
spock Says:
Shatner? Did everyone seem to hit a "raw nerve?"
Anonymous Says:
WilliamShatner
Sort your name out
and hang yourself.
Anonymous Says:
How does GSP not get fighter of the year. Silva fought scrubs, where as GSP fought a future Hall of Famer, got his title back and fought Fitch, and dominated his fights in all aspects!!
Bovice Says:
Shatner, I think Aoki has been around for a minute...not really a "breakout" fighter
Coma Says:
You missed a couple for worst performance. Kaleb Starnes for his track meet against Quarry. And Filho wins WTF performance of the year in the 2nd fight against Sonnen.
Awsome list other than that though
quit yer bitchin Says:
will shatner is just a troll. please dont feed him. ignore him. he has lots of complaints and no suggestions. what are your ideas tool? what was the show that was better than ufc92? What is better than the niptweak? anderson silva kicked multiple asses in two weight classes. as far as his competition, dan handerson is no joke, and will show rich franklin. how about you contribute to the discussion, instead of being a whiny little bitch
Hoshino Says:
Besides Shatner's trolling, it's hilarious how much Evinger is destroying herself inside being able to be so close to Carano but not have a schwanz.
duechymcgee Says:
elite xc primetime wasnt the worst event of the year.....didnt anyone see yamma pit fighting??? oh yea thats right no one probly did....i was the only one dumb enough to waste my time.....
Anonymous Says:
Cheick Kongs last fight was the biggest beat down.. that guys face was broken completely.
Anonymous Says:
quit yer bitchin is an obvious troll job. Get out!
WilliamShatner Says:
This entire list is a fucking Troll job. If people agree with it then they're just Fucked in the head!
Anonymous Says:
HAHA ITS FUNNY THAT ANDERSON SILVA FIGHT WAS UNDER MOST DISAPPOINTING ,
WHEN HIS MOST DISAPPOINTING FIGHT WAS EQUAL TO OR BETTER THAN ANY FORREST GRIFFIN FIGHT HAHA
Rick Dickulous Says:
Shatners obviously a rapist... hes gotta take all that anger out on someone.
WilliamShatner Says:
"Rick Dickulous" Your comments are Ridiculous!
Jeremy Says:
Hey Shatner why don't you beam down someone who gives a shit about your opinion!!!
WilliamShatner Says:
"Jeremy" Before you posted that you should have asked yourself the this question. Does anyone give a shit about my opinion? I think you know the answer.
Anonymous Says:
:the this question".... and that was followed by the sickest comeback i've heard since 3rd grade! shatner=tool
Derly Says:
I give best beat down to GSP for beating down Fitch. No it wasn't fast, but it was 5 rounds of Fitch being punished for stepping in the cage.
Fedor on Sylvia was more of a raping than a beatdown.
Sticky wash rags Says:
Haha, Derly said "Fedor on Sylvia was more of a raping than a beatdown"
That makes me LMFAO.
FuCK WilliamShatner Says:
WOW YOU SOUND LIKE A LITTLE BITCH.
LonghornCapitalPunishment Says:
Celebration of the Year Jeremy Stephens UFC 91 running head first into the cage.
Netterbog Says:
re the Monson / Brown callouts - ESPN ran a 2-page article about Monson later in '08. Guess the callout was good for a little ink.
Anonymous Says:
Anonymous says "FUCK WilliamShatner" You are the pot calling the kettle black. You might want to look in the mirror to see the little bitch!
Bootylam! Says:
In the beatdown dept., where is Irvin/Alexander? Too quick and clean? Or was that last year? Sorry, I just love that one so I had to mention it. Also Pulver getting KO'd, and Brown smashing Faber should get beatdown consideration because Brown had him reeling the entire [short] fight.
Duke of New York A#1 Says:
He Jeff monson made it into ESPN the mag, just not the cover
i happened to stumble upon him while i read through it at work
Duke of New York A#1 Says:
Oh and Eddie alvarez break out fighter of the year, even though he lost to shinya
Anonymous Says:
How the fuck can you be a fan of the Jackson guys nipple tweak that's one of the fucking gayest things I've ever seen. Completely fucking stupid!