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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Fight of the Year

Staff — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 20:03:10 +0000

We wrap up our year-end awards for 2024 with our pick for Fight of the Year. It wasn’t a landslide, but one scrap from the highly-entertaining Noche UFC card this September took 50% of the vote— enough to give it the win.

Fight of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Zellhuber vs. Ribovics. One of the fights on UFC 306 that I was insanely hyped for was Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics. A firefight indeed, both men showed incredible heart and technique. Zellhuber dropped Ribovics early, but it was a flurry by Ribovics that lasted over one minute that had the crowd on it’s feet and earned him a very close split-decision victory.

Jay Anderson: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. There’s a strong argument to be made for Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics here. Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira should also get a mention. If I’m being honest, however, I was most invested in Holloway vs. Gaethje. Like many, I feared for Max moving up against an innovator of violence (with apologies to Tommy Dreamer) like Gaethje. Yet it turned out to be a classic Holloway performance with a mind-blowing finish.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya. Considering the history between the two, hitting at times uncomfortable topics in the pre-fight build up, it was a tall order to live up to the hype. But these two delivered, with Adesanya delivering a performance that was a return to form after a long layoff. To the victor goes the spoils though, and Du Plessis rallied to stop a formidable foe and cement himself as an all-time great middleweight behind his current campaign.

Bryson Hester: Esteban Ribovics vs Daniel Zellhuber. This fight had everything a fan could want. Ribovics and Zellhuber put on a one of a kind fight at one of a kind show, Noche UFC. The fight was back and forth the entire time and was close to being stopped on an occasion or two. The stand up striking battle between these two tenacious fighters was sure to be one that fans will watch on repeat for years to come.

Patrick McCorry: Zellhuber vs. Ribovics. Had the pleasure of watching this fight alongside Eddie Law. We were on the edge of our seats the entire time. The UFC nailed this matchmaking.

Cade Morehouse: Fight of the year has to be Esteban Ribovics vs Daniel Zellhuber. Anyone that wants to get into MMA watch that fight. The shots those guys took and the heart those guys showed was crazy. They were the real main event in possibly the biggest production event you will ever see in MMA history. Those two are every bit of what the fans come to see every Saturday night!

Brett Cagle: Kenneth Cross vs Emmanuel Sanchez. Many of my colleagues will more than likely pick Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje, which is a deserving and quality selection. However, what I witnessed at XFC 51 from Michigan native Kenneth Cross and former Bellator title challenger Emmanuel Sanchez was the greatest singular fight I have ever seen in person. Sanchez and Cross went toe to toe in a blood and guts-affair that left no one sitting inside the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Electrifying the fans in attendance for 15 minutes “The Boss” Kenneth Cross picked up the biggest win of his career after a back-and-forth battle in the Midwest.

Mathis Desjardins: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier [UFC 302]. This was supposed to be a formality. Poirier came in as a four-to-one betting underdog in a title shot he got as a result of timing and availability more than anything. But ‘The Diamond’ gave everything he had and bloodied up Makhachev more than we had ever seen before. Round 1 played out the way most anticipated, but the back-and-forth war that ensued after was one for the ages.

End result: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics earns our Fight of the Year award for 2024 with 50% of the votes.

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Submission of the Year

Staff — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:49:34 +0000

Our 2024 Submission of the Year award came down to a two-horse race, one that highlighted effort and outcome as much as sheer technical skill. So, no buggy chokes (sorry to Cage Warrior’s Mitchell Goode) or inverted anything. Stevie Ray even landed a “Scottish” Twister under the PFL banner, and didn’t make the cut. Here’s who did.

Submission of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Khamzat Chimaev subs Robert Whittaker. Lots of good options in the category, but it’s hard to look past Chimaev breaking all kinds of teeth and busting the jaw of former UFC middleweight champ Whittaker. More importantly reminding everyone why you’d be wise to think twice before accepting a bout against “Borz.”

Jay Anderson: Khamzat Chimaev’s jaw-crushing submission of Robert Whittaker. “Borz” somehow made himself even scarier with his face-crank on the former middleweight champ.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier. The entire fight was just sublime with a superb effort from a grizzled veteran in Poirier and a brilliant performance by a dominant force in Makhachev. But Makhachev demonstrated why he is the man of the moment, besting the challenge of Poirier on the feet and on the ground and finishing the fight off with a vicious submission to stop a fighter known for having no quit in him with a brutal d’arce.

Bryson Hester: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker. Pretty easy pick for sub of the year as Khamzat Chimaev surprised literally everyone with just how easily he put Robert Whittaker away. The choke/face crank was nasty, the damage said submission did to Whittaker’s jaw was even more graphic. What a finish, what a statement by Chimaev.

Patrick McCorry: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. The ankle pick, into the d’arce choke, just beautiful.

Cade Morehouse: Submission of the year is Islam Makhachev over Dustin Poirier. The magnitude of that fight was huge and for Dustin to go out on his shield and give Islam that kind of a fight was crazy. Not only did Islam have to go through adversity but he found a way to prove why he is the champion and finished the fight to add yet another great name to his resume.

Brett Cagle: Dricus Du Plessis Submits Israel Adesanya via Face Crank. Although this wasn’t the most technical or crazy submission we saw in 2024 it may have been the most impactful. South African champion Dricus Du Plessis captured gold with a highly disputed decision win over Sean Strickland. Submitting an all-time great like Israel Adesanya solidified his status as a legitimate champion in the eyes of many.

Mathis Desjardins: Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier [UFC 302]. The context around this fight is what makes this my submission of the year. It was widely regarded as Poirier’s last chance at an undisputed title, and he came in as a massive underdog. This fight was expected to look like the first round did, but Poirier forced Makhachev to go deep into his bag of tricks to pull off that D’arce choke in the fifth round.

End Result: Khamzat Chimaev received three votes, but Islam Makhachev just edged him with one more. Lightweight champ Makhachev gets our 2024 Submission of the Year award as a result!

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Upset of the Year

Staff — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 14:15:35 +0000

The tightest race of our year-end awards for 2024 came in the Upset of the Year category. Given MMA is a sport where one punch can change everything, that’s not at all surprising. Upsets can and do happen, and there were plenty of them this year. As to who was in the running, well, read on.

Upset of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Duben KO’s Clark at DWCS 70. Plenty of candidates in an actual official UFC bout, but the win must go to Yuneisy Duben who was a dog in her fight against Shannon Clark at DWCS 70 where Clark was a -700 favorite on the books. Add on top of that the fact that Duben showed up to Las Vegas with nearly nothing, almost didn’t make the trip for the fight, and still came out with the biggest “holy sh*t” moment on DWCS this season.

Jay Anderson: Reug Reug vs. Malykhin. Oumar Kane shouldn’t have had a chance against MMA’s first triple-champ, Anatoly Malykhin. “Reug Reug” was more of a spectacle, a hulking fighting who looked like a beast but had proven to tire in fights with all that muscle on his frame. At least, that was the general consensus. Yet he managed to claim a split decision victory over the previously undefeated Malykhin, who also held middleweight and light heavyweight gold for ONE Championship.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Gabriella Fernandes vs Wang Cong. It was very clear what was “supposed” to happen. Wang, at home in China and coming off a pretty vicious KO victory in her UFC debut was set up to keep the ball rolling continue a potential fast track toward former foe Valentina Shevchenko not unlike Alex Pereira did to Israel Adesanya. Instead, Fernandes wrote her own script in stunning fashion, stopping Cong for a beautiful finish that showed exactly why fights are won in the cage and not on paper.

Bryson Hester: Gabriella Fernandez vs. Wang Cong. A lot of close fights for one but one of the largest statistical upsets of the year came at UFC Macau at the end of November. Cong, a UFC newcomer with extensive kickboxing experience and even a win over UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Schevchenko, entered the fight as a heavy favorite. After some initial trouble Gabriella did the seemingly impossible not only dropping her opponent, but sinking in a submission and earning a gigantic victory and a bonus as well.

Patrick McCorry: Wang vs. Fernandes. Maybe recency bias, but who doesn’t love a massive underdog like Fernandes pulling off that kind of win. Then the post-fight interview on top of that as well. Amazing.

Cade Morehouse: Upset of the year goes to Nikolas Motta defeating top prospect Tom Nolan by knockout! That fight and performance stands out to me because of how big of an underdog Motta was; no one picked him to win that fight or thought he stood a chance. Not only that but it was a major rough stretch for Motta having a No Contest versus Trey Ogden and getting knocked out by Manuel Torres. So this bounce back against a highly touted prospect stands out the most for me!

Brett Cagle: Belal Muhammad defeats Leon Edwards to capture UFC gold. Chicago’s own Belal Muhammad was able to capture championship gold in his opponent’s backyard. At the time Leon Edwards was on a 12-fight winning streak that spanned over eight years. As a (+190) betting underdog Muhammad controlled the entire fight from the opening bell earning a Unanimous decision win. Traveling to England and completely dismantling a proven champion on his own home soil earns Muhammad upset of the year for me.

Mathis Desjardins: Oumar Kane def. Anatoly Malykhin [ONE 169]. Anatoly Malykhin came in as an undefeated, seven-to-one betting favourite with two stoppage wins over Reinier de Ridder and was in conversations about whether or not he could defeat Francis Ngannou. While Malykhin arguably won, and the fight taking place in a ring instead of a cage might have had an effect on its outcome, ‘Reug Reug’ wasn’t even supposed to be remotely competitive with him. This was by far the most shocked I was at a result this year.

End result: It was a close one, but Gabriella Fernandes’ upset of Wang Cong stands as our 2024 Upset of the Year!

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Comeback of the Year

Staff — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 20:54:14 +0000

When you think about the greatest comebacks of all time in MMA, your mind almost certainly goes to Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo. Or maybe Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen I. Great comebacks in fighting almost always have a surreal, “what did I just see” feel to them. There were a couple in the running for our Comeback of the Year 2024, though perhaps not as memorable as the ones we just mentioned. Still, one stood out above the rest.

Comeback of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez. A rematch from a bout two years prior Brian Ortega looked to avenge his loss to Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City this past February. The first round saw Rodriguez putting it on Ortega and scoring a knockdown almost finishing the fight. Ortega’s heart showed as he survived the first round and then took Rodriguez down in the third to finish the fight by submission.

Jay Anderson: Neil Magny putting away a tiring Mike Malott in the third round at UFC 297, after Malott had dominated the first 14 minutes of the fight. I was in the building for this one, expecting Malott to soon be backstage speaking with media. Pretty sure the entire media room was expecting that, only for the tables to be turned in the final minute, as Magny had just enough left in him for some ground n’ pound to serve up the TKO finish.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Renato Moicano vs Jalin Turner. When the physically imposing Turner had the dynamic personality in Moicano down and seemingly out, it appeared as if he was on his way to adding to the festivities at UFC 300. In the end, however, Turner celebrating too early led to Moicano rallying back and adding to an all-time great comeback at a night full of seminal moments at UFC 300. Were there other dramatic comebacks in 2024, yes. But only one had the distinction of happening on a historic night.

Bryson Hester: Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez II. Narrowly beating out Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber, is the Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez rematch. The first one ended with a dislocated shoulder for Ortega. Before the fight even started, during introductions Ortega rolled his ankle on his landing from a warmup jump. Yair dropped Ortega early on in the fight too. But Brian clawed his way back in the fight locking in an arm triangle choke in the third round of a fight that had multiple moments where he looked like he was going to lose.

Patrick McCorry: Poirier v Saint Denis- The comeback nature of the KO was incredible. Dustin went from attempting yet another Guillotine, after a very tough first round, to putting the polarizing Frenchman to sleep.

Cade Morehouse: Comeback of the year in a fight was Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez when Ortega hurt his ankle jumping up and down before the fight! He was stunned in the fight a few times trying to get feeling back in his ankle, but proceeded to ultimately get his opponent down. Ortega went on to finish the fight by submission even after it seemed nothing was going his way the night!

Brett Cagle: Brian Ortega Submits Yair Rodriguez. Coming into his rematch with Yair Rodrigez some questioned whether Brain Ortega could still compete with the top fighters at 145-pounds. After appearing to have injured himself in his pre-fight walkout, Ortega overcame an early first-round knockdown. In the third round, Ortega was able to get his revenge finding an Arm Triangle, forcing Rodriguez to tap. This was a redeeming win and resilient performance in the storied career of Brain Ortega.

Mathis Desjardins: Neil Magny def. Mike Malott [UFC 297]. Mike Malott came in as a heavy betting favourite, expected to soundly defeat Neil Magny via superior grappling and enter the rankings. And for about 14 minutes he was doing just that. He comfortably won the first two rounds and all he had to do was survive the third against a Magny who is not exactly known for his finishing prowess. After an incomprehensible implosion from Malott, the savvy veteran Magny got a dominant position and started to relentlessly fire away ground-and-pound shots, forcing the referee to stop the fight with just 15 seconds left. A stunning comeback from the old-timer.

End result: Neil Magny earned a couple of votes, but ultimately, Brian Ortega overcoming adversity against Yair Rodriguez gets the nod!

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Newcomer of the Year

Staff — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:19:58 +0000

Our Newcomer of the Year award goes to the fighter who, newly signed to a major promotion, made the biggest impact (in other words, we’re not counting time spent on the regional circuit per se). This year’s winner definitely put his time in over the years in smaller shows, then landed in the UFC and rattled off four straight wins.

Newcomer of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Carlos Prates. This guy has future UFC champion written all over him. An alumni from DWCS Prates fought four times in 2024, with four finishes, all before the third round, and capped it off with a KO win over welterweight staple Neil Magny to finish off 2024. Prates is well on his way to contendership in 2025.

Jay Anderson: Carlos Prates. While not a “newcomer” to combat sports, outside of a trio of appearances on the ONE Warrior Series, Prates had never been anywhere near a major promotion. Then, after a successful 2023 appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, he landed in the UFC – and rattled off four wins in 2024, while securing his first main event spot opposite Neil Magny.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Shamil Musaev. The champion of few words had a lot to say inside the cage in 2024. At a time when the PFL had acquired Bellator, Musaev was unique in that he had not competed under either banner going into the tournament this year. A newcomer in every sense, Musaev had a breakout year by stopping former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley, besting ONE standout Murad Ramazanov (twice) and stopping the previously undefeated Magomed Umalatov to become a millionaire and new champion.

Bryson Hester: Jean “Lord” Silva. Jean Silva had a nearly flawless 2024. Silva competed three times and scored three stoppage victories. He defeated Westin Wilson in his debut on January 13th. Silva missed weight for his next fight (one of his only blemishes of the year) but he became the first person to KO Charles Jourdain. And Silva earned himself a bonus when the doctor had to step in and stop his fight against Drew Dober in July. And Silva stepped up a weight class in order to take that fight.

Patrick McCorry: Carlos Prates. Four fights, four KOs, and his first main event. This is a no brainer.

Cade Morehouse: Newcomer of the year has to be Carlos Prates. Is that even a question? 4 fights and 4 finishes. What is there to talk about? His win includes a nasty knockout of UFC veteran Neil Magny to close out his year! He has put himself in possible title contention for 2025.

Brett Cagle: Shamil Musaev. Debuting in the 2024 regular season this year, PFL newcomer Shamil Musaev quickly put himself on the radar as one of the top competitors in the world at 170 pounds. Running through the PFL regular season and playoffs, Musaev earned three knockout wins. Two of those victories came against undefeated fighters Murad Ramazanov and Magomed Umalatov. Musaev is a world-class talent with one-punch knockout power in his hands. The sky’s the limit for Musaev who may look to repeat as Welterweight champion in 2025.

Mathis Desjardins: Carlos Prates. This category had a lot of good candidates this year. I thought long and hard about picking Shamil Musaev, who was basically unknown before running through the PFL’s welterweight division and winning its season tournament. However, no rookie took the sport by storm quite like Carlos Prates did with his four Kos, one for each quarter of the calendar. From standard DWCS signee to a main event spot in just one year.

End result: Shamil Musaev got some consideration, but in the end, Carlos Prates was picked by the vast majority of our crew. He’s our 2024 Newcomer of the Year!

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Event of the Year

Staff — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:57:50 +0000

Our event of the year likely comes as no surprise. If anything, the biggest surprise is that there were no opposing views. Despite the brilliant production of Noche UFC and the 11-hour, 22-fight long RIZIN Decade that still turned out to be oodles of fun, one event swept the board for MMA in 2024. You probably know what it is already.

Event of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Nothing beats UFC 300 in my mind. The names alone would have made it a massive card, but the matchups were exquisite to say the least. Capped off by a TKO finish of Jamahal Hill by Alex Pereira, but the show stolen by Max Holloway, nine former champs, eight out of 13 bouts were finishes….what else needs to be said?

Jay Anderson: UFC 300. On paper, I felt the UFC’s third centennial event looked weaker than the Pay-Per-View that preceded it, UFC 299. Dana White struggled to find a main event for the milestone card, yet in the end, everything fell into place, and the event delivered in spades. Alex Pereira’s meme-fuel finish of Jamahal Hill, Holloway vs. Gaethje, Kayla Harrison making her debut, Jiri Prochazka returning to form, Bobby Green vs. Jim F’ing Miller – lots to love. Huge props to Noche UFC, however, for proving that when they want, the UFC can push their production over the top. And honorable mention to RIZIN Decade, which was a whole lot of fun.

Gabriel Gonzalez: UFC 300. From start to finish, the tricentennial event had just about all one could ask for. Several iconic moments, from Max Holloway’s knockout to Alex Pereira’s signature stoppage of Jamahal Hill, the night was so special that the fans couldn’t maintain the crescendo of energy that the night elicited. Noche UFC was a special night and a truly monumental production, but the number of stars who delivered at 300 puts it just ahead.

Bryson Hester: UFC 300. UFC 300 easily takes the cake over Noche UFC. Noche UFC had the production and WOW factor, undoubtedly, but UFC 300 was massive and simply delivered. 12 current or former champions, the fighter of the year fought on the card and the KO of the year occurred on the card. There were lots of finishes and three separate titles on the line. Not to mention the former Olympian, Kayla Harrison, made her UFC debut. UFC 300, biggest card of the year.

Patrick McCorry: UFC 300. Wild title fights, wild finishes. Exactly what we wanted from the UFC’s 300th UFC Pay-Per-View.

Cade Morehouse: Event of the year for me was UFC 300 only because of the star power on that card and what that meant to MMA to have the UFC reach a milestone like that. UFC 300 delivered for the fans and the UFC and was something that drew a lot of attention even outside of the die hard fan base. Gaethje and Holloway alone could have sold that fight card and they were the third fight on the card!

Brett Cagle: UFC 300. Not much needed to be said here. From Alex Pereria’s performance in the main event to Gaethje vs Holloway and former world champions on the prelims, UFC 300 was one of the greatest events in combat sports history.

Mathis Desjardins: UFC 300. In the same vein as the knockout of the year, let’s not overthink this. In terms of pre-fight hype, nothing tops UFC 308, but top to bottom, UFC 300 is not beatable. There were six former champions on the prelims alone, Deiveson Figueiredo and Cody Garbrandt were the curtain jerkers, there were three fights AFTER Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. When Kayla Harrison running through Holly Holm in her UFC debut is a footnote, you know you witnessed a special event.

End result: It’s a landslide, as UFC 300 sweeps the category!

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Knockout of the Year

Staff — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 23:02:22 +0000

We continue our year end awards with our 2024 Knockout of the Year, and being honest, there wasn’t much debate. That’s what happens when you have a highly anticipated fight between two fan-favorites that ends in a “did you just see that?!?” moment at the very last second. So, let’s get right to our selection process, but you’ve no doubt guessed this one already.

Knockout of the Year 2024

Eddie Law: Holloway KO’s Gaethje. Is there any other choice here? All of the naysayers going on and on about Gaethje’s power all had to eat crow at UFC 300. After dominating, yes dominating, Gaethje and on his way to a clean decision victory, Holloway pointed to the ground and slug it out in the final seconds scoring a buzzer-beating savage knockout. Real BMF-ish.

Jay Anderson: You have to give this one to Max Holloway. He claimed the UFC‘s “BMF” title, which we all thought would be a one-off, with a timeless performance at UFC 300. Vintage Holloway, and then, well ahead in the fight, he points to the floor and engages in a firefight with Justin Gaethje, a man virtually no one wants to engage in a firefight with. The knockout coming at the very last second made this the stuff of legend.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Max Holloway Against Justin Gaethje. To say it was iconic would be an understatement. Set against the backdrop of the seminal UFC 300, against an electrifying and intimidating lightweight force in Justin Gaethje, and at the end of a brilliantly performed fight, Holloway went from superstar to living legend with a knockout for the ages. Most importantly: it was distinctly Max. He delivered as only he does and in a way only he can.

Bryson Hester: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje. I wish there could be two KOs of the Year for 2024. Vinicius Oliveria’s flying knee KO over Sopaj was amazing but had none of the intangibles. A KO in the last second of a five round title fight in the people’s main event of the historic UFC 300 card. It quite literally doesn’t get any better than that. Taking into account the set up of the finish with Max Holloway pointing at the ground to swing to the finish and Gaethje bravely obliging him. Just a perfect moment.

Patrick McCorry: Ion Surdu vs. Kaik Brito, Oktagon 64. Now this may be a little bit of bias, as I was at the event, however the head kick KO was magnificent. Shifting in on strikes and in short range landing a picture perfect head kick KO to win the Welterweight title. Obviously Holloway Gaethje is the KO of the year for many, but I went with Surdu’s KO to pick something different from the rest, and because I was there live to witness it.

Cade Morehouse: Knockout of the Year has to be Max Holloway over Justin Gaethje. The build up and anticipation for that fight between two of the baddest, most respected guys on the planet and in sport of MMA was crazy and they delivered. The way Max gave Justin a chance and they went out with that type of moment for the fans will go down as one of the best moments in the sports history, especially with one second on the clock.

Brett Cagle: Max Holloway KO Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. When Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje after pointing at the ground and deciding to trade it was one of the most exciting moments in UFC history. Holloway landing the knockout punch just before the buzzer will remain in the minds of fans for years to come.

Mathis Desjardins: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje [UFC 300]. Yes, Ilia Topuria cracked Holloway’s legendary chin, Vinicius Oliveira and Shara Bullet’s KOs are hard to beat on style points, but let’s not overthink this. People were scared for Holloway when this fight was announced, thinking it was going to be a repeat of the last time he fought at lightweight, only this time questioning his durability as he was five years older. Yet, he outclassed Gaethje and while way ahead on the scorecards, he points to the ground and gives the heavy hitter a chance to make up for it only for him to be the one to put to other to sleep. The word “legendary” gets thrown around too often, but in this case, it’s an understatement.

End result: Max Holloway wins our Knockout of the Year award for 2024, by a landslide.

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MMA 2024 Year in Review: Fighter of the Year

Staff — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 02:04:55 +0000

It’s hard to remember a year, at least in recent times, where the choices for Fighter of the Year whether male or female were so obvious. So persuasive a campaign did our Female Fighter of the Year have that there was only one other name even in the running, and it wasn’t close. As for the men’s side, it was a two-horse race featuring two fighters who had phenomenal 2024s.

Fighter of the Year 2024: Male

Eddie Law: Ilia Topuria. Hard to beat ‘El Matador’ even if you’re Alex Pereira. Pereira had a hell of a year with three KO finishes in three PPVs in a span of a six months. Topuria finished two world champions in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and might be making a case as top star in the UFC

Jay Anderson: I consider this a two-horse race between Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria. As good a year as Diego Lopes had, those two had phenomenal campaigns. Now the question becomes, how to distinguish between the two? Topuria defeated a pair of former champs, both of whom are among the greatest featherweights to ever compete. Light heavyweight Pereira also defeated a pair of former champions, as well as Khalil Rountree Jr., headlined the two biggest cards of the year, and repeatedly stepped up on short notice to save events. All while hitting a level of stardom that Topuria has yet to achieve. It’s a pretty slight edge, and there’s no wrong answer here, but I’m siding with “Poatan.”

Gabriel Gonzalez: Alex Pereira. Pereira had it all in 2024. He stepped up on short notice when he didn’t have to, twice. He earned style points, stopping all three of his opponents. Finally, he broke through as a personality that the fans have gotten behind whether it be with the Easter Island expression, his tribal war paint, his walkout, or just one word: Chama.

Bryson Hester: Alex Pereira. Pereira beats out Ilia Topuria by the narrowest of margins. Pereira defended his light heavyweight belt three times this year. Pereira stopped Jamahal Hill in one round in April. He then turned around and stopped Jiri Prochazka again in their rematch with a spectacular head kick. Alex finished off his year with a fourth round finish over Khalil Rountree Jr. in an absolute war. Alex entered each of these fights compromised yet still found a way to deliver on the largest stage.

Patrick McCorry: Alex Pereira. Three fights, three KOs, saved multiple cards.

Cade Morehouse: My male fighter of the year has to be Illia Topuria. Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in February to become the undisputed featherweight champion of the world. Later on this year he did what no one thought was possible to this point and knocked out the great Max Holloway to defend his title. He beat two of or if not the two greatest featherweights to walk the face of this earth and that is enough to earn male fighter of the year.

Brett Cagle: Alex Pereira. Since moving up to 205 pounds Alex Pereira has brought excitement back to the Light Heavyweight division. With knockout wins over Khalil Rountree, Jamahal Hill, and Jiri Prochazka the male Fighter of the Year is a runaway selection. Pereira headlined UFC 300 and is quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport. The former professional kickboxer is must-see television every time he fights and could be a legitimate threat to become the UFC’s first three-weight champion if given the opportunity.

Mathis Desjardins: Ilia Topuria. Alex Pereira has a great argument for ‘MVP of the Year’, saving the UFC on multiple occasions and becoming the first champion to defend his title three times within a 179-day span. However, the level of competition at light-heavyweight simply doesn’t compare to what Ilia Topuria pulled off this year. The Spaniard arguably recorded the greatest back-to-back wins in the history of the sport. No one accomplished more in 2024 than El Matador.

End result: Alex “Poatan” Pereira is our 2024 Fighter of the Year, with Ilia Topuria a close second. The former middleweight and current light heavyweight champion of the UFC secured three title defenses, headlined the two biggest cards of the year, and arguably saved all three events he appeared on.

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