Keep in mind that this list is (as are most “top 10” type lists) entirely subjective. For our purposes, we narrowed it down due to career / promotional significance, excitement, and fights generally deemed as fan favorites.
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Top 10 Most Monumental Legacy Fights of 2011 (so far)
#1 – January 29, 2011 – Jeff Rexroad versus Ricardo Talavera
An early fight of the year candidate, this absolute war between Jeff Rexroad and Ricardo Talavera at Legacy FC 5 would go to the judges’ scorecards after three rounds of non-stop action. Suffice it to say that this bout made fan favorites out of both these fighters. For his part, Jeff Rexroad will be back in the cage at Legacy FC 9 against UFC veteran Paul Kelly.
#2 – January 29, 2011 – Brian Melancon versus Derrick Krantz
Also at Legacy FC 5, this unanimous decision victory over a much more experienced Derrick “D-Rock” Krantz (9-2 at the time) would put Houston’s Brian Melancon on the map. It would also serve as his last Legacy FC appearance of year as Brian would go on the sign with Strikeforce after this bout.
#3 – April 9, 2011 – Daniel Pineda versus Raymond Blodget
They say three times is a charm. Daniel Pineda beat former Legacy champs Levi Forrest and Rey Trujillo prior to this bout but this win may hold the most significance of them all for the IV Ounce fighter. “The Pit” would walk through then-current 155 champion Ray Blodget to claim the belt as his own and go on to even bigger things later in the year.
#4 – April 9, 2011 – Andrew Craig versus William Bush
UFC prospect Andrew Craig would face arguably the biggest challenge of his young career against another tough up-and-coming middleweight in Bubba Bush this past April. The two would battle for over four straight rounds in this title fight before Craig earned the finish in the fifth. For his part, Bush had no quit him and displayed his own promise as a future star with this performance.
#5 – July 22, 2011 – Justin Reiswerg versus Marc Ramirez
The premier card for Legacy FC on HDNet produced many exciting moments. Chief among them was this opening fight performance from Justin Reiswerg. The 23 year old lightweight capitalized on the opportunity to show his skills in front of a nationwide audience, displaying everything from his striking prowess to his in-cage intelligence in winning this one over another promising fighter in Marc “Mongoose” Ramirez.
#6 – July 22, 2011 – Pete Spratt versus Antonio Flores
Also on the Legacy FC 7 card was this highlight reel performance and possibly Legacy Knockout of the Year by longtime Texas veteran Pete “The Secret Weapon” Spratt. All it took was roughly 20 seconds for the current San Antonio based fighter to feel his opponent out and land a brutal left hook to earn himself a shot at the Legacy welterweight title.
#7 – July 22, 2011 – Daniel Pineda versus Frank Gomez
The third of four superb top fights at Legacy FC 7, this bout between Pineda and WEC veteran Frank Gomez would mark the Houstonian’s first test against an out-of-town opponent since the beginning of his Legacy run. It was a test he’d pass with flying colors by outlasting the Greg Jackson-trained Gomez and take home the submission win in his latest 145 title defense. Pineda would go on to officially sign a new multi-fight contract after this bout, ensuring fans will be able to see him perform in Legacy again in the near future.
#8 – July 22, 2011 – Carlo Prater versus Cameron Dollar
The final entrant from Legacy FC 7 on HDNet, this bout featuring Brazilian Houstonian Carlo “Neo” Prater would prove to be a worthy promotional debut for him. Taking on UFC veteran Cameron Dollar, Carlo was able to put an end to the Colorado fighter’s 5-fight win streak while extending his own to two wins in a row.
#9 – September 16, 2011 – Cody Williams versus Nate Garza
Moving on to Legacy FC 8 this past September, it was time to showcase some new blood as American Top Team Beaumont’s Cody “Wolverine” Williams made his Legacy debut in style with a blistering performance against veteran Nate Garza. The 27 year old pro moved his record to 2-0 with this one and set up a December 16th clash with another veteran in Steve Garcia as a result of this victory.
#10 – September 16, 2011 – Jorge Patino versus Pete Spratt
The last on our list of 10 monumental Legacy bouts this year was this September clash between Jorge “Macaco” Patino and Pete “The Secret Weapon” Spratt for the then-vacant Legacy welterweight title. These two wily veterans battled for the full 25 minutes before Patino was awarded the split decision victory, setting the stage for the upcoming “champion vs. champion” main event on December 16th against the returning Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis at Legacy Fighting Championship 9.
Honorable Mentions
• LFC 5 – Justin Reiswerg versus Reynaldo Trujillo
• LFC 5 – Mike Bronzoulis versus Joe Christopher
• LFC 6 – Tim Snyder versus Alex Black
• LFC 7 – Jonathan Mackles versus Chad Robichaux
• LFC 8 – Andrew Craig versus Eric Schambari
• LFC 8 – Steven Peterson versus Steve Garcia
• LFC 8 – Larry Crowe versus Ike Villanueva
That’s it for our list. We want to hear from YOU guys as well. Which fights did you like best? Which fights aren’t listed here that you feel deserve to be ranked amongst the top 10 Legacy fights of the year? Chime in with your own comments and let us know your thoughts!
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