Graeme McDonnell 
Irish MMA has continued to go from strength to strength in 2012 with Next Gen NI’s Norman Parke winning The Ultimate Fighter, SBG’s Conor McGregor capturing two belts at two different weight class in Cage Warriors, Chris Fields winning and then losing the Cage Warriors Middleweight belt, Team Ryano’s Paul Redmond bursting onto the world MMA scene with 3 very impressive wins over very tough opponents in Cage Warriors, including a vicious toe hold against experienced grappler Ryan Roddy to name just a few of the achievements made in 2012 by Irish fighters, and of course Gunnar Nelson, who trains with John Kavanagh and SBG, making and winning his UFC debut.
Here are the top 10 most viewed pages on SevereMMA.com this year.
1. Exclusive Video – Ten Thousand Hours – Owen Roddy and Paddy Holohan
Our documentary about Irish fighters Owen Roddy and Paddy Holohan was the most visited page of the year.
We followed Owen and Paddy before, during and after their Cage Contender 14 bouts back in July in The National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=Mu4bJQK26JA]
http://severemma.com/2012/10/18/exclusive-video-ten-thousand-hours-owen-roddy-and-paddy-holohan/
2. Video – UFC Unrestricted: Behind the scenes of UFC 148 (Full Episode)
This is a behind the scenes look at Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen II back at UFC 148. Must watch!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=qIqAZmXO0xo]
http://severemma.com/2012/11/12/video-ufc-unrestricted-behind-the-scenes-of-ufc-148-full-episode/
3. Audio – Renzo Gracie on the MMA Hour talking Gunnar Nelson
MMA legend Renzo Gracie talks Gunnar Nelson on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour ahead of Gunni’s debut in the UFC against Demarques Johnson
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=pkRvS65MypU]
http://severemma.com/2012/07/09/audio-renzo-gracie-on-the-mma-hour-talking-gunnar-nelson/
4. Video – Post-Fight Interview with Arni Isaksson after Cage Contender XV
Our interview with Cage Contender Interim Welterweight Champion Arni “The Ice Viking” Isaksson following his title bout with Wayne Murrie at Cage Contender 15 in Belfast, Ireland.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=oO35pmEoF-I]
5. Gunnar Nelson set to sign for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Back in July, Gunnar Nelson finally signed for the UFC, and later made his debut against experienced UFC veteran Demarques Johnson.
Gunnar went on defeat Johnson via rear naked choke in the first round without breaking a sweat and a UFC star was born.
Gunni is now set to face Justin Edwards at UFC on Fuel: London in February 2013
http://severemma.com/2012/07/03/gunnar-nelson-set-to-sign-for-the-ultimate-fighting-championship/
6. Cage Contender 12 Breakdown: Nelson vs Butenko
Gunnar Nelson makes another appearance at six.
It was announced that Gunnar would return from his MMA hiatus to face Alexander Butenko at Cage Contender 12.
The MMA world was watching as Gunnar dismantled experienced submission specialist Butenko in the first round to extend his undefeated record.
This would be Gunnar’s last fight before signing for the UFC.
http://severemma.com/2012/02/21/cage-contender-12-breakdown-nelson-vs-butenko/
7. Exclusive Video – Conor McGregor prepares for Ivan Buchinger at Cage Warriors 51
A very late entry into the top 10, we only posted this video a week ago! Conor McGregor preparing to become a multi-weight Cage Warriors World Champion at Cage Warriors 51, which he did in devastating fashion, KOing 21-3 Ivan Buchinger.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=V30jKXa-sz0]
8. Photos: Cage Contender XII: Gunnar Nelson vs Alexander Butenko, Shiel vs Pointon & More
9. Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley set to headline Cage Contender 16 in Dublin, Ireland
Another late entry into the top 10 of 2012 is news of UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator Paul Daley signing to fight in the main event of Cage Contender 16 in February 2013.
The story went to number one in the MMA section of Reddit. The story raised many questions about Daley’s status in the Bellator 2013 welterweight tournament, and drew big interest.
10. Cathal Pendred “I deserve to be the champion.. Grimaud’s record is fake!”
Back in June following Cathal’s victory over UFC veteran David Bielkheden, Pendred shifted his focus toward Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion Gael Grimaud, stating “I’m more deserving of that belt than he is and his record consists of grappling wins not pro MMA wins”
However, as it turned out, Cathal would have to wait to get his shot at the champion.
First he would have to overcome the very dangerous Bruno Carvalho, which he did in a very close decision, where Cathal had to overcome adversity, including a locked in triangle in the second round.
Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan publicly promised Pendred the next shot at Grimaud following the Carvalho victory.
http://severemma.com/2012/06/25/cathal-pendred-i-deserve-to-be-the-champion-his-record-is-fake/
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Thanks to everyone for visiting the site in 2012, and we hope to see you back many times in 2013.
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