Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Was UFC 139 the best card of 2011 thus far? Pelkey, Hyden, Perez, Hobaugh, and Penick
Nov 27, 2011 - 6:45:22 PM ROUNDTABLE: Was UFC 139 the best card of 2011 thus far? Pelkey, Hyden, Perez, Hobaugh, and Penick

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Where does UFC 139 rank in the "best events of 2011" list so far? Was it the best card of the year to date?

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

This was the best for me. I actually remember thinking to myself before the main event that the show was just a standout fight from Rua and Henderson away from topping the list. Needless to say, the epic main event we got put it way over the top. UFC 129 had been my choice to this point, but UFC 139 had plenty of exciting finishes, contenders announcing themselves to the masses, and a Fight of the Year main event. UFC 129 had similar features, but its main event left a sour taste in people's mouths. I think that's the difference. 

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'd say it probably was. There were some really good fights on the card, and they lived up to expectations. It's hard to think of another card as a whole that was as good as this one.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

It was definitely an exciting card, and I'd be hard pressed to find a more exciting card.  The only card that I think would come close would be the Brazil card from August.  With KO's from both Anderson Silva and Shogun Rua, and a run time of barely two hours, it was a near better card. zBut, to speak selfishly, I enjoyed this last card due to the main events featuring fighters from Pride FC, and it brought great memories.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

In my mind, this event is by far the best event of 2011. The undercard fights were great, as was the co-main event. I do not remember a boring fight all night. The Cung Le vs. Wanderlei Silva was one of the most interesting and exciting fights of the year. Cung Le’s amazing and unorthodox style was something I was not prepared for and enjoyed thoroughly. Seeing Wanderlei Silva shine again was a highlight for me as well. Add all of that to the instant classic of Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and that qualifies UFC 139 easily as the best card of 2011.


JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When the top three fights on the card were as good as they were, and you throw in some excellent undercard action as well, this was definitely the card of the year so far in my eyes. The main event was my favorite fight of the year, Silva-Le was a really fun and brutal back and forth fight, and Urijah Faber put on one of his most impressive performances against a former Champion in the 135 lb. division. Then on the undercard, Ryan Bader and Michael McDonald made quick work of their opponents, Chris Weidman impressed against Tom Lawlor, and there weren't really any major duds on the card. It was just thoroughly enjoyable with the top three fights being especially entertaining.