MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for February (with full fight video): Grasso and Inoue

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMAjunkie takes a look at the best fights from February. Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMAjunkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for February 2015.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice. Or if nothing else, just sit back and enjoy the fight we picked as the winner, courtesy of UFC Fight Pass.

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The Nominees

Dave Burrow def. Anthony Njokuani via armbar at Legacy FC 38

Anthony Njokuani (16-10) was looking to get his career back on track in his first fight since being released from the UFC. But things didn’t work out the way he was hoping, and he was submitted by Dave Burrow (12-5) in the third round of a fight he’d been controlling from the opening bell. Njokuani was cruising against Burrow until the lightning fast armbar arrived to conclude one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent memory.

Benson Henderson def. Brandon Thatch via rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 60

Benson Henderson’s (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) short-notice jump to the welterweight division paid off in full when “Smooth” earned a fourth-round submission of Brandon Thatch (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC). Despite a considerable size disadvantage, Henderson found a way to get the fight to the ground and submit Thatch in one of the most inspiring performances in recent memory.

Paul Daley def. Andre Santos via unanimous decision at Bellator 134

The well-traveled Andre Santos (37-10 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) came into his bout with Paul Daley (36-13-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) as a late replacement. He proved to be anything other than an easy out, pushing Daley to the final bell and losing a unanimous decision despite taking a heavy beating during the course of the fight.

Liam McGeary def. Emanuel Newton via unanimous decision at Bellator 134

Liam McGeary (10-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) proved its still possible to win a fight from bottom position when he outmaneuvered Emanuel Newton (25-8-1 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) over five rounds to capture the Bellator MMA light-heavyweight championship. While Newton did his best to dominate from top position over the 25-minute affair, it was McGeary’s frequent submission attempts that gave him the advantage on the judge’s scorecards.

Alexa Grasso def. Mizuki Inoue via unanimous decision at Invicta FC 11

Women’s strawweight prospect Alex Grasso (7-0) enamored UFC President Dana White with her exciting unanimous decision victory over well-traveled veteran Mizuki Inoue (8-4). Grasso’s intensity and determination played a huge role in a victory that has caused the UFC boss to repeatedly mention her in interviews and give her an individualized post on Twitter.

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The Winner: Alex Grasso vs. Mizuki Inoue

In Invicta FC 11’s co-headliner, the highly touted Grasso’s handspeed and head movement were on full display against the aggressive Inoue, who looked to close the distance and rough up her undefeated opponent with heavy punches.

Grasso put together combinations that scored, and she showed flashes of brilliance with a spinning back kick right to the chops. Some of Inoue’s punches found their mark, however, and Inoue’s tenaciousness was only encumbered by a nose that bled generously. Grass’s left cheekbone bore the evidence of Inoue’s work.

Grasso upped the pace in the second frame and outlanded her opponent despite more right hands finding their mark. Inoue nabbed a quick takedown in an effort to even the score, only to find Grasso set up an armbar and then a triangle from her back.

Inoue found better luck in the third and final frame when she landed a takedown, threatening back control and mount as Grasso scrambled furiously to escape. Midway through the frame, a sweep allowed her back to her feet, if only for a brief moment. Inoue took upticks to the face to put Grasso back to the mat, and she closed the frame in mount.

Two of three judges rewarded Grasso’s early work, handing in 29-28 scores, while one judge saw it as a blowout for her, 30-26.

Watch the video above to see the Grasso vs. Inoue fight in its entirety, courtesy of UFC Fight Pass.