1. UFC 51: Super Saturday - Arlovski vs. Tim Sylvia 1
Really, is there any question as to what the number one moment was going to be? In 2005 at UFC 51: Super Saturday (aren't you glad the got rid of those silly names?), Andrei Arlovski fought for a championship for the first time - and won. Winning the interim belt against the man who would become his long time rival, Tim Sylvia, propelled Arlovski to MMA superstardom. He was already on the cusp, a popular fighter with knockout power. Now he had a UFC belt. Arlovski took their initial matchup by way of achilles lock in the first round after dropping Sylvia with shots. They would face each other three more times after this, with Arlovski losing the next two meetings before the no contest discussed a few pages back capped off their history, apparently for good, years later under the ONE FC banner. It was the perfect payoff for the Pitbull, in the days before his chin was brought into question. He would defend the belt twice, against Justin Eliers prior to the previously mentioned bout against Buentello that saw him awarded the undisputed title. Now, nine years after winning that belt, and six years after leaving the UFC, the Pit Bull has come home again. Perhaps he can add another great moment or two to the collection.
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
