9. Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley
After Nick Diaz departed Strikeforce for the bright lights of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the welterweight title he had defended three times was left vacant for more than a year. Into the breach, after a somewhat underwhelming and unlabeled tournament, stepped former NCAA All-American wrestler Woodley and veteran fighter Marquardt.
Within the first minute of the fourth round, Marquardt buzzed Woodley with a hard combination, forcing him back to the fence. After a brief period of grinding, Marquardt separated and slammed his left elbow into Woodley’s temple and then followed with a cleaving right elbow. As Woodley crumpled, Marquardt tried for a third and then finished him off with two flush punches.
Number 8 » Benavidez vs. Torres