411’s Fighter Of The Month: January

Posted by Dan Plunkett on 02.09.2010

Ben Henderson is the Undisputed WEC LW Champion, Nick Diaz captured the Strikeforce WW Championship and Cyborg retained her title! But who walked away with the 411 Fighter of the Month award? Check out the full column to find out…

The year 2010 kicked off with a little bit of everything; a champion firmly establishing herself as the most dominant fighter in her division, new champions, come from behind knockouts, a former champion earning the right to reclaim his lost glory, and a 47-year-old winning his MMA debut. But where any of the fighters alluded to in this intro the fighter of the month? We'll answer that in a little bit, but first, here's how it works.

How It Works

Each staff member picks five fighters and ranks them. I'll assign a point value to those rankings. Points are determined as:

1st - 5
2nd - 4
3rd - 3
4th - 2
5th - 1

The fighter with the most points is our Fighter of the Month and then new points are assigned that will go towards Fighter of the Year. Those points are:

1st - 15
2nd - 12
3rd - 9
4th - 6
5th - 3
6th – 1

The Voting

Larry Csonka

1) Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson had a great 2009, winning the WEC Interim Lightweight Title, and went into WEC 46 to face "the real champion", Jamie Varner. Many thought that Varner, even coming off of the injuries, was going to be too much for Henderson, but they were wrong. Henderson is making the WEC Lightweight division something fun to watch, and in a company where the Feather and Bantams get all of the attention, that is saying something.

2) Nick Diaz - Nick Diaz walked into Stirkeforce: Miami to face off with the DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis. While many felt that Diaz would win, I do not think anyone saw the destruction that Diaz handed out happening. It is likely a case of overrating Marius Zaromskis and underrating Diaz, but the man looked like a world-beater and is now the king of the Welterweights in Strikeforce.
3) Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos - Cyborg was also in action at Stirkeforce: Miami, and successfully defended her title against 10-year veteran Marloes Coenen. It took three rounds, but Cyborg was never in trouble and dominated the entire fight. Who the hell can beat the Cyborg?
4) Junior dos Santos - Junior dos Santos continues his surprising rise in the UFC Heavyweight division with the destruction of Gilbert Yvel at UFC 108.
5) Paul Daley - Most said Paul Daley would be owned and taken to the ground when he got to the UFC. Instead he has taken out Hazelett and Kampmann, both in the first round and is making waves in the welterweight division.

Jonathan Solomon

1) Nick Diaz
Simply put, Diaz made the top welterweight fighter in Japan look like a noob. Diaz has the striking prowess to combine with his submission game to make a complete fighter. Whether you think he can beat GSP or not, there's no question that he is one of the top 10 welterweights in the world right now. Diaz decisively took care of Marius Zaromskis and is on to bigger and better things.

2) Robbie Lawler - Lawler was on the verge of losing another big fight and would have been stuffed to the back of the middleweight division. Now he will be known for one of the greatest comeback victories and knockouts in years. Maybe he truly was in control all along.
3) Ben Henderson - The new and undisputed WEC lightweight champion made Jamie Varner pay for one mistake. That's all it takes to beat a well seasoned champion and now Henderson is on tap to improve.
4) Junior dos Santos - The man wants to fight for the UFC heavyweight title and he took another step towards that goal by knocking the hell out of Gilbert Yvel.
5) Urijah Faber - With questions surrounding his future, Faber put them to rest as he submitted Raphael Assuncao in the third round. Faber looked as good as he ever has and will get a shot at the title he lost nearly two years ago.

Jeffrey Harris

1) Benson Henderson
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Bendo once again defied the oddsmakers, went in the underdog, and bested the favorite to become the undisputed WEC Lightweight Champion. Bendo's WEC run thus far has been nothing short of amazing showing all sorts of talent, versatility, an amazing gas tank, and ridiculous amounts of heart, spirit, and never say die attitude. Varner might've been winning the early rounds, but Bendo never looked nervous or in trouble and kept his cool. He saw an opening and took and submitted the defending champ and took home his second belt. Meanwhile, Varner continues to sully his reputation among fans. And he wonders why he doesn't get more recognition by the MMA community on the "Urijah Faber Show."

2) Nick Diaz - The veteran MMA bad boy finally picked up the first title in his career by besting the rising star and DREAM welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis. A lot of people were high on Zaromskis including myself after his impressive standup in the DWWGP, but Diaz used his great boxing skills and lengthier reach to best Zaromskis and take home the belt.
3) Junior dos Santos - Junior dos Santos' stock in the heavyweight division continues to rise after another dominating victory over cult fan favorite, Gilbert Yvel at UFC 108. The problem? dos Santos buddy, Nogueira, is also going for the belt in the same division. And it doesn't look like Nogueira will let dos Santos jump over him. But if Nog loses Velasquez, that very well might happen.
4) Urijah Faber - The top ranked featherweight finally got back on the winning track after a lengthy absence with a win over a game Rafael Assuncao in a great, competitive bout. Faber seemed to have lost the first round, but didn't let his hometown crowd go home unhappy this time around and submitted a top level BJJ practitioner and black belt. Faber's now looking to regain the WEC featherweight strap.
5) Mike Brown - The former WEC champ and MMA great, Mike Brown, got back on the winning track at WEC 46 with an impressive submission victory over Anthony Morrison. People bemoaned Brown not getting the next shot. And I agree Brown is in the running for a title shot, however Brown just lost the belt soundly to Aldo. Faber/Aldo is a superfight and a fresh matchup a lot of fans want to see. Plus, Faber beat a much more competitive and better ranked opponent in Assuncao compared to Brown beating Morrison. Brown is awesome and did as he promised in the blockbuster exclusive interview he had on this site and looks to continue his road back to the title with another fight probably at WEC 48.

Scott Kuczkowski

1) Benson Henderson
Henderson defeated Jamie Varner to become the WEC Undisputed Lightweight Champion. Many people were skeptical about Henderson's chances during the bout, but he stayed composed, stuck to his gameplan, and finished Varner in the third round. A rematch with Cerrone appears to be his next bout.

2) Nick Diaz - Diaz made Zaromskis look like an over-hyped chump, which isn't all that easy to do. Nick has matured into a very good fighter and should see movement up the welterweight rankings after his dismantling of the "Whitemare." His crowning of Strikeforce Welterweight Champion is not without controversy, but that only adds to his appeal.
3) Paul Daley - Daley has exploded in the UFC's Welterweight division and did it again at UFC 108 when he smashed Dustin Hazelett. How will he do against the higher end of the division? Time will tell, but those that he faces will have to watch out for his explosive hands.
4) Urijah Faber - Submitting someone like Raphael Assuncao is a nice way to get back on the winning track. Faber needed this win to stay relevant and get another crack at Jose Aldo's Featherweight strap, which he'll get at WEC's first PPV event.
5) Sam Stout - Stout was able to defeat Joe Lauzon and look great in the process. Though the fight went to decision, Stout looked great on his feet as he easily outstruck and outworked Lauzon, turning in one of his most impressive UFC performances.

Samer Kadi

1) Benson Henderson
Ben Henderson overcame a slow start and submitted Jamie Varner in the third round to become the WEC lightweight champion. Many (myself included) saw Varner as a bad match up for Bendo, as he possessed the wrestling and boxing to trouble Henderson. Yet, once again, Henderson found a way to win. A rematch with Cerrone is in the cards and I for one, can't wait.

2) Nick Diaz - Diaz put on yet another solid display, easily dispatching head kicking sensation Marius Zaromskis to capture the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title. Diaz is slowly becoming one of the best fighters in his division, although the top talent in that weight class remains in the UFC.
3) Urijah Faber - Faber rebounded very well from his decision loss to Mike Brown with a fantastic display against Raphael Assuncao, submitting the BJJ black belt in the third round and earning a title shot against Jose Aldo.
4) Paul Daley - The Brit is taking the UFC welterweight division by storm, with a second successive first round knockout against BJJ ace Dustin Hazelett. Daley is solidifying himself as one of the best strikers in the division but a big test awaits him in the shape of Josh Koscheck.
5) Sam Stout - Stout deserves a mention for a tremendous kickboxing display against the returning Joe Lauzon. Stout showed some terrific diverse striking, picking the BJ Penn protégé apart.

Daniel Bonnizzio

1) Nick Diaz
Nick was taking on Marius Zaromskis who was fresh off of his mauling of his opponents in 2009 to win the DREAM Welterweight Championship. In a fight where most people expected Nick to stand with Zaromskis just long enough to set up his ground game, he outboxed and outreached the Lithuanian en route to a one-round stoppage to claim the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. Winning a title is one thing, winning it by beating him at his own game is a whole different beast.

2) Ben Henderson - "Smooth" is the word as although Jamie Varner was controlling the pace of their fight, the recently-crowned Undisputed WEC Lightweight Champion took his time and struck as soon as "the Worm" made one mistake and made him tap out. In a fight many think was a terrible style match-up for Bendo he was just waiting and when it presented itself, he struck.
3) Robbie Lawler - Call it luck, call it "patiently waiting," call it a random spasm in judgment on Manhoef's part, the fact is that after he swung that big right Melvin was down and out and Robbie was declared the winner. He outlasted getting his leg chopped off to come from behind and stake a decent claim to challenge Shields (or Hendo, whoever ends up the champ).
4) Mike Brown - Mike Brown may not have been the only former WEC Featherweight Champion on display at WEC 46, but he was the more dominant. Sure Anthony Morrison didn't exactly pose the hugest threat in the world but he was still a legit competitor. He used his 'old-man' strength to dominate him before choking him out in one round.
5) Urijah Faber - The other former Featherweight Champion on display at WEC 46 may not have had the easier win but he had the more exciting one for sure. In the third round he choked out grappling standout Raphael Assuncao after 12 minutes of scrambling, wrestling, and lots of speed en route to earning a shot at Jose Aldo on the WEC's first PPV venture.

Dan Plunkett

1) Nick Diaz
After 4 minutes and 38 seconds of action, Nick Diaz defeated Marius Zaromskis to win the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. The win firmly established Diaz as the top welterweight outside of the UFC (Jake Shields moving to middleweight helped that become a true statement). The only problem now is there aren't many good welterweights for him to fight.

2) Urijah Faber - Earned himself a shot to regain the featherweight title with his win over Raphael Assuncao. Unfortunately for Faber, he has to fight Jose Aldo. Good luck with that.
3) Ben Henderson - Submitted Jamie Varner to become the WEC Lightweight Champion. With the win, Bendo moves into the highest (well, right below the Urijah Faber category) echelon of the WEC's drawing cards. The reason I put him behind Urijah Faber? The WEC lightweight title is the fourth most prestigious lightweight belt in the sport and Bendo isn't ranked in the top ten. Faber on the other hand is the third best featherweight in the world and beat a top ten guy.
4) Paul Daley - Finds himself in a #1 contender bout after knocking out Dustin Hazelett.
5) Robbie Lawler - Incredible come from behind KO over devastating striker Melvin Manhoef.

The Results

Honorable Mention (TIE): Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos & Mike Brown

5th Place - Junior dos Santos (7 points)

Won a slugfest against Gilbert Yvel at UFC 108.

4th Place (TIE) - Paul Daley & Robbie Lawler (8 points)

Both scored thunderous knockouts in January to earn a spot on the list.

3rd Place - Urijah Faber (13 points)

Submitted Raphael Assuncao to earn the right to fight Jose Aldo for the featherweight title.

2nd Place - Ben Henderson (30 points)

Became the Undisputed WEC Lightweight Champion when he submitted Jamie Varner.

Fighter of the Month for January- Nick Diaz (31 points)




Knocked out Marius Zaromskis in the first round to win the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship.

2010 Fighter Of The Year Standings

Nick Diaz- 15 points

Ben Henderson- 12 points

Urijah Faber- 9 points

Paul Daley- 6 points
Robbie Lawler- 6 points

Junior dos Santos- 3 points

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos- 1 point
Mike Brown- 1 point