ELMONT, NEW YORK – JULY 15: (L-R) Opponents Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez of Mexico face off in the course of the UFC Combat Night time ceremonial weigh-in at UBS Area on July 15, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
When you consider the best comebacks of all time in MMA, your thoughts nearly actually goes to Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo. Or possibly Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen I. Nice comebacks in combating nearly all the time have a surreal, “what did I just see” really feel to them. There have been a pair within the working for our Comeback of the Yr 2024, although maybe not as memorable as those we simply talked about. Nonetheless, one stood out above the remainder.
Comeback of the Yr 2024
Eddie Regulation: Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez. A rematch from a bout two years prior Brian Ortega regarded to avenge his loss to Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico Metropolis this previous February. The primary spherical noticed Rodriguez placing it on Ortega and scoring a knockdown nearly ending the struggle. Ortega’s coronary heart confirmed as he survived the primary spherical after which took Rodriguez down within the third to complete the struggle by submission.
Jay Anderson: Neil Magny placing away a tiring Mike Malott within the third spherical at UFC 297, after Malott had dominated the primary 14 minutes of the struggle. I used to be within the constructing for this one, anticipating Malott to quickly be backstage talking with media. Fairly certain the whole media room was anticipating that, just for the tables to be turned within the last minute, as Magny had simply sufficient left in him for some floor n’ pound to serve up the TKO end.
Gabriel Gonzalez: Renato Moicano vs Jalin Turner. When the bodily imposing Turner had the dynamic character in Moicano down and seemingly out, it appeared as if he was on his technique to including to the festivities at UFC 300. Ultimately, nevertheless, Turner celebrating too early led to Moicano rallying again and including to an all-time nice comeback at an evening stuffed with seminal moments at UFC 300. Had been there different dramatic comebacks in 2024, sure. However just one had the excellence of taking place on a historic evening.
Bryson Hester: Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez II. Narrowly beating out Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber, is the Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez rematch. The primary one ended with a dislocated shoulder for Ortega. Earlier than the struggle even began, throughout introductions Ortega rolled his ankle on his touchdown from a warmup leap. Yair dropped Ortega early on within the struggle too. However Brian clawed his method again within the struggle locking in an arm triangle choke within the third spherical of a struggle that had a number of moments the place he regarded like he was going to lose.
Patrick McCorry: Poirier v Saint Denis- The comeback nature of the KO was unimaginable. Dustin went from trying one more Guillotine, after a really powerful first spherical, to placing the polarizing Frenchman to sleep.
Cade Morehouse: Comeback of the yr in a struggle was Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez when Ortega harm his ankle leaping up and down earlier than the struggle! He was surprised within the struggle a couple of occasions making an attempt to get feeling again in his ankle, however proceeded to in the end get his opponent down. Ortega went on to complete the struggle by submission even after it appeared nothing was going his method the evening!
Brett Cagle: Brian Ortega Submits Yair Rodriguez. Coming into his rematch with Yair Rodrigez some questioned whether or not Mind Ortega might nonetheless compete with the highest fighters at 145-pounds. After showing to have injured himself in his pre-fight walkout, Ortega overcame an early first-round knockdown. Within the third spherical, Ortega was in a position to get his revenge discovering an Arm Triangle, forcing Rodriguez to faucet. This was a redeeming win and resilient efficiency within the storied profession of Mind Ortega.
Mathis Desjardins: Neil Magny def. Mike Malott [UFC 297]. Mike Malott got here in as a heavy betting favorite, anticipated to soundly defeat Neil Magny through superior grappling and enter the rankings. And for about 14 minutes he was doing simply that. He comfortably received the primary two rounds and all he needed to do was survive the third towards a Magny who will not be precisely identified for his ending prowess. After an incomprehensible implosion from Malott, the savvy veteran Magny obtained a dominant place and began to relentlessly fireplace away ground-and-pound photographs, forcing the referee to cease the struggle with simply 15 seconds left. A surprising comeback from the old-timer.
Finish outcome: Neil Magny earned a few votes, however in the end, Brian Ortega overcoming adversity towards Yair Rodriguez will get the nod!
