2024 World MMA Award Winners: Celebrating Excellence in Mixed Martial Arts

On a star-studded Thursday evening in Las Vegas, the 16th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards unfolded at The Theater at the Virgin Hotels. The glitz and glamour of the MMA world were on full display as legends, rising stars, and industry icons gathered to celebrate their achievements.

Hosted by the ever-charismatic Chael Sonnen, the event honored fighters, coaches, and contributors who made the most significant impact on the sport from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024—a period spanning epic events from UFC 290 to UFC 303.

Here's a comprehensive rundown of the winners and highlights from the night.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Coleman

The original “Godfather of Ground-and-Pound” added another accolade to his storied career. Mark Coleman, the first-ever UFC Heavyweight Champion and a pioneer of MMA, was honored not just for his achievements inside the cage but for his enduring influence on the sport. This year, he also earned the Fighting Spirit Award, recognizing his bravery in rescuing his family from a burning building.

Fighter of the Year: Alex Pereira

With two monumental victories, including a title-winning knockout of Jamahal Hill, Pereira cemented his place as one of the most dominant forces in MMA. His continued success as a two-division threat makes him a clear standout.

Nominees: Alexandre Pantoja, Dricus du Plessis, Islam Makhachev, Renan Ferreira.

Female Fighter of the Year: Zhang Weili

China’s MMA queen retained her title with decisive victories over Amanda Lemos and Xiaonan Yan, navigating a challenging year for standout performances in women’s MMA.

Nominees: Kayla Harrison, Larissa Pacheco, Liz Carmouche, Raquel Pennington.

Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Tom Aspinall

Aspinall's journey from injury to stardom is one for the ages. His electrifying performances and title aspirations against legends like Jon Jones make him the future of heavyweight MMA.

Nominees: Anatoly Malykhin, Benoit Saint Denis, Diego Lopes, Ian Machado Garry.

International Fighter of the Year: Dricus du Plessis

The South African middleweight standout silenced doubters with a dominant victory over Robert Whittaker and a close contest against Israel Adesanya.

Nominees: Chihiro Suzuki, Ilia Topuria, Jack Della Maddalena, Zhang Weili

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Fight of the Year: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC 300)

This instant classic showcased the best of striking and heart, leaving fans on the edge of their seats at the historic UFC 300.

Nominees: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno (UFC 290), Clay Collard vs. Shane Burgos (PFL 9), Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner (UFC 290), Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis (UFC 299).

Knockout of the Year: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje

Holloway’s overhand right in their UFC 300 barnburner wasn’t just a knockout—it was a defining moment in MMA history.

Nominees: Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell, Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier, Levy Carriel vs. Mathieu Rakotondrazanany, Vinicius Oliveira vs. Bernardo Sopaj.

Submission of the Year: Diego Lopes vs. Gavin Tucker

Lopes displayed grappling mastery with his triangle armbar at UFC Nashville, solidifying his reputation as a submission savant.

Nominees: Alexander Volkov, Brian Ortega, Da’Mon Blackshear, Islam Makhachev.

Other Major Highlights

• Upset of the Year: Sean Strickland’s shock victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293.

• Commentator of the Year: Jon Anik, praised for his smooth delivery and unmatched expertise.

• Coach of the Year: Plinio Cruz, whose work with Alex Pereira continues to pay dividends.

• Best Promotion: UFC, further cementing its dominance in the MMA landscape.

Looking Ahead to 2025 in MMA

The MMA landscape is evolving rapidly. Fight.TV celebrates the champions of 2024 and look forward to another year of unforgettable moments in MMA!