Bodog Beat

2008 was a mixed bag for mixed martial arts. (AP Images)

We had some amazing matches, some crazy backroom politics, and far too many police reports. Here are the Top 5 MMA stories of the year:

• July 5: Quinton Jackson loses the Light Heavyweight strap to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86. Ten days later, Jackson is arrested on multiple counts related to a police chase.

• July 31: The International Fight League closes up shop; unconfirmed reports had Zuffa, the parent company of UFC, buying the promotion’s assets.

• Oct. 4: Kimbo Slice loses to Seth Petruzelli (filling in for Ken Shamrock) by TKO in just 14 seconds at an EliteXC event. The promotion is cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation, but files for bankruptcy later that month.

• Nov. 15: At UFC 91, Brock Lesnar earns a TKO victory over the returning Randy Couture to win the Heavyweight title. It was Lesnar’s third bout for UFC and fourth MMA match overall.

• Dec. 17: MMA fighter Justin Levens and his wife are found shot to death in their California condo, in what police are investigating as a possible murder-suicide. Eight days later, Justin Eilers is shot to death; his mother’s boyfriend has been charged with second-degree murder.