[The Tens] Top 10 MMA Fighters Of 2012

1) Demetrious Johnson

The smallest champion in the UFC had the best year. Demetrious Johnson started 2012 an underdog in the flyweight tournament to crown the octagon’s inaugural 125-pound titleholder. The Matt Hume product met Ian McCall first and after a competitive 10 minutes, McCall took over, getting Johnson’s back and damaging him with punches and in-cage theatrics. The fight controversially ended in a draw, setting up an immediate rematch of the semi-finals bout. Johnson was the clear-cut victor in the second go around, leaving McCall without answers.

Johnson’s speed was a puzzle tournament favorite Joseph Benavidez was unable to solve in 25-minutes at UFC 152, awarding the first ever flyweight belt to the Washington native. 2012 taught us never sleep on “Mighty Mouse.”