My 2010 MMA Awards

This is a bit late but I figured I might as well get mine out there just like everyone else. 2010 was an interesting year for MMA. The three previous years had been reserved for change and growth, but 2010's theme was different as the rise of the sport's new blood was ever prevalent.

Without further delay...

Fighter of the Year: Cain Velasquez. His first-round destruction of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 was shocking. No one expected that, and no one expected Velasquez to improve upon that performance, mauling Brock Lesnar in less than five minutes eight months later.
Honorable Mention: Dominick Cruz, Frankie Edgar, Georges St. Pierre

Story of the Year: Questionable judging in MMA. It seems that there were more highly questionable decisions this year than during any other. Nam Phan getting robbed against Leonard Garcia, Sean Sherk's questionable decision over Evan Dunham and Nik Lentz receiving a gift against Tyson Griffin were only some examples of what is quickly becoming a serious problem for the sport.
Honorable Mention: UFC/WEC Merger, Chael Sonnen, Fedor loses

Surprise! Fedor Wants Extension With Strikeforce

I have to be honest. Once Fedor and M-1's current deal with Strikeforce and Showtime wittled down to a single fight remaining and after hearing Scott Coker's hesitancy to go back to the bargaining table, I thought Fedor to the UFC by next year was a done deal. Looks like I was wrong.

Today comes the news that Emelianenko and his management team are very pleased with the way their relationship with Strikeforce is going and are interested in signing a contract extension that would add 4-6 more fights.  On top of that, it looks as if talks between both sides are nearly complete:

The 33-year-old Emelianenko, who has just one fight left on a three-fight contract signed one year ago, has recently voiced a preference for a four-to-six fight extension. The two sides are more than halfway to an agreement, according to M-1 Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan who told MMA Fighting on Thursday that the sides hope to have a deal in place very soon.

"I think the talks are going well," he said. "There are always things to get sorted and ironed out but we are probably two-thirds of the way there. I think that the next fight and the deal overall will be announced at the same time within the next month. We have an [M-1 Selection] event in [Atlantic City,] New Jersey on September 18, and we may be ready to announce by then, hopefully.

Normally, the thought of Fedor easily agreeing to a deal with the UFC would have never even crossed my mind. However outside of Strikeforce, the Russian's options for employment are vastly limited due to his asking price. The UFC and Strikeforce are the only organizations with enough money and reach to be able to secure Fedor's services. While a return to Japan is also a possibility, the heavyweight divisions in DREAM and Sengoku are virtually non-existent. There's no one for Fedor to fight.

Fedor being so willing to extend his deal with Strikeforce is great news for the promotion. Coker and company have nearly started to pull hair out during talks with M-1 and the fact that Vadim Finkelstein and his co-workers approached Strikeforce about an extension first may show that their power at the bargaining table has indeed been severely lowered after Fedor's upset loss to Fabricio Werdum.

Also, it looks as if Fedor doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon, which is great news for all.