December 28, 2023 10:00 pm ET
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie takes a look at the very best battles from December 2023: Here are the 5 candidates, noted in sequential order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month award for December.
At the bottom of the post, let us understand if we got it right by voting on your option.
Candidates Nominee: Jared Gooden def. Wellington Turman at UFC on ESPN 52
After a preliminary that leaned in favor of Wellington Turman (18-8 MMA, 3-6 UFC), the 2nd frame was all Jared Gooden (20-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC). He at first captured Turman with a punch. Visibly buckled, Turman attempted to remain upright, however Gooden soaked the pressure. Turman was rocked several times and as soon as fell to his knees.
Ultimately, Turman could not hold up against the penalty on the feet. Gooden tossed him down, installed him, and ultimately got the tap with a rear-naked choke to end the welterweight bout.
WHAT A COMEBACK BY JARED GOODEN #UFCAUSTIN pic.twitter.com/9hSQYY8yC9
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 2, 2023
Candidate: Rodolfo Bellato def. Ihor Potieria at UFC on ESPN 52
After a high-paced preliminary in the light heavyweight department, Ihor Potieria (19-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) landed significant damage in the early phases of the 2nd round, dropping Rodolfo Bellato (12-2 MAM, 1-0 UFC) and striking him with substantial shots to put the battle on the cusp of being stopped.
Bellato declined to give up, nevertheless, and handled to make it through enough to return to his feet. Potieria was absolutely nothing except tired, and Bellato began to soak the strikes. He then landed a takedown, relocated to install and unloaded up until the referee stopped it to conclude a wild Comeback of the Year competitor.
BELLATO WAS THROWING HANDS TILL THE FINISH #UFCAUSTIN pic.twitter.com/KRTOa0fJqx
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 2, 2023
Candidate: Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby at UFC 296
The light heavyweight match in between Alonzo Menifield (15-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and Dustin Jacoby (19-8-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC) had all the active ingredients for compelling affair, and both guys measured up to their end of the deal inside the octagon.
Jacoby won the striking fight general thanks to a strong preliminary, however Menifield had the battle’s only knockdown. That was likely the decider to sway the judges in his favor as Menifield was granted the consentaneous choice to keep his run of momentum opting for just one loss in his previous 7 battles.
Alonzo Menifield beats Dustin Jacoby by means of UD at UFC 296
Backward and forward battle however Menifield landed the much larger shots. Crazy power
(@UFCEspanol) pic.twitter.com/dMWGxcZEp9
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) December 17, 2023
Candidate: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval at UFC 296
Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) began his flyweight title reign in a favorable way when he as soon as again beat Brandon Royval (15-7 MMA,
