Awards Criteria
The Awards Categories and Previous Winners
Charles 'Mask' Lewis Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading mixed martial artist for their contribution to the sport both inside and outside the ring or octagon.Previous Winners
2024 – Alex Pereira
2023 – Leon Edwards
2022 – Alexander Volkanovski
2021 – Kamaru Usman
2019-20 – Israel Adesanya
2018 – Daniel Cormier
2017 – Max Holloway
2016 – Conor McGregor
2015 – Conor McGregor
2014 – Robbie Lawler
2013 – Chris Weidman
2012 – Jon Jones
2011 – Jon Jones
2010 – Jose Aldo
2009 – Georges St-Pierre
2008 – Anderson Silva
Female Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading female mixed martial artist for their contribution to the sport both inside and outside the ring or octagon.Previous Winners
2024 – Zhang Weili
2023 – Alexa Grasso
2022 – Valentina Shevchenko
2021 – Rose Namajunas
2019-20 – Amanda Nunes
2018 – Amanda Nunes
2017 – Rose Namajunas
2016 – Amanda Nunes
2015 – Holly Holm
2014 – Ronda Rousey
2013 – Ronda Rousey
2012 – Ronda Rousey
2011 – Miesha Tate
2010 – Cris Cyborg
2009 – Cris Cyborg
2008 – Gina Carano
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the fighter whose outstanding performances during the year has elevated their profile and status sufficiently to increase the level of future competition and ranking within the sport.Previous Winners
2024 – Tom Aspinall
2023 – Alex Pereira
2022 – Paddy Pimblett
2021 – Brandon Moreno
2019-20 – Jorge Masvidal
2018 – Israel Adesanya
2017 – Brian Ortega
2016 – Cody Garbrandt
2015 – Holly Holm
2014 – Kelvin Gastelum
2013 – Travis Browne
2012 – Chris Weidman
2011 – Donald Cerrone
2010 – Jon Jones
2009 – Brock Lesnar
2008 – Demian Maia
International Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who has achieved the highest level of success fighting out of a territory with less established MMA infrastructure.Previous Winners
2024 – Dricus Du Plessis
2023 – Leon Edwards
2022 – Alexander Volkanovski
2021 – Israel Adesanya
2019-20 – Israel Adesanya
2018 – Aung La N Sang
2017 – Robert Whittaker
2016 – Khabib Nurmagomedov
2015 – Conor McGregor
2014 – Conor McGregor
2013 – Alexander Gustafsson
2012 – Michael Bisping
2011 – Alistair Overeem
2010 – Alistair Overeem
2009 – Gegard Mousasi
2008 – Michael Bisping
Comeback of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who completely turns circumstances around, whether it's an entire career or single momentPrevious Winners
2024 – Tom Aspinall (Career)
2023 – Leon Edwards
2022 – Aljamain Sterling (Ridicule/injury)
2021 – Oliveira vs Chandler, UFC 262
2019-20 – Miocic vs Cormier, UFC 241
2018 – Lee vs Yamaguchi (after recovering from car crash), ONE 71
2017 – Gaethje vs Johnson, TUF 25 Finale
2016 – Tate vs Holm, UFC 196
2015 – Alvarez vs Melendez, UFC 188
2014 – Dominick Cruz (career/injury)
2013 – Browne vs Overeem, UFC FN26
2012 – Mir vs Rodrigo Nogueira, UFC 140
2011 – Kongo vs Barry, UFC on Versus 4
Upset of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who has overcome overwhelming odds in a fight to claim victory against a much more favored athletePrevious Winners
2024 – Sean Strickland vs Israel Adesanya
2023 – Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko
2022 – Pena vs Amanda Nunes, UFC 269
2021 – Moraes vs Johnson, ONE on TNT 1
2019-20 – Volkanovski vs Holloway, UFC 245
2018 – Nunes vs Cyborg, UFC 232
2017 – Namajunas vs Jedrzejczyk, UFC 217
2016 – Bisping vs Rockhold, UFC 199
2015 – Holm vs Rousey, UFC 193
2014 – Dillashaw vs Barao, UFC 173
Fight of the Year
Awarded to the two fighters involved in the most exciting and explosive fight staged on the planetPrevious Winners
2024 – Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje
2023 – Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
2022 – Prochazka vs Teixeira, UFC 275
2021 – Figueiredo vs Moreno, UFC 256
2019-20 – Weili vs Jedrzejczyk, UFC 248
2018 – Ferguson vs Pettis, UFC 229
2017 – Alvarez vs Gaethje, UFC 218
2016 – Swanson vs Doo Ho Choi, UFC 206
2015 – Lawler vs MacDonald, UFC 189
2014 – Aldo vs Mendes, UFC 179
2013 – Jones vs Gustafsson, UFC 165
2012 – Lauzon vs Varner, UFC on Fox 4
2011 – Edgar vs Maynard, UFC 125
2010 – Silva vs Sonnen, UFC 117
2009 – Sanchez vs Guida, TUF 9 Finale
2008 – Liddell vs Silva, UFC 79
Knockout of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most sensational knockout victoryPrevious Winners
2024 – Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje
2023 – Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman
2022 – Chandler vs Ferguson, UFC 274
2021 – Buckley vs Kasanganay, UFC FN179
2019-20 – Jorge vs Askren, UFC 239
2018 – Nunes vs Cyborg, UFC 232
2017 – Ngannou vs Overeem, UFC 218
2016 – Page vs Santos, Bellator 158
2015 – Holm vs Rousey, UFC 193
2014 – Hunt vs Nelson, UFC FN 52
2013 – Belfort vs Rockhold, UFC on FX 8
2012 – Barboza vs Etim, UFC 142
2011 – Silva vs Belfort, UFC 126
2010 – Rua vs Machida, UFC 113
2009 – Henderson vs Bisping, UFC 100
2008 – Silva vs Jardine, UFC 84
Submission of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most technical and exceptional submission victoryPrevious Winners
2024 – Diego Lopes vs Gavin Tucker
2023 – Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko
2022 – Oliveira vs Poirier, UFC 269
2021 – Khabib vs Gaethje, UFC 254
2019-20 – Maia vs Askren, UFC FN162
2018 – Magomedsharipov vs Davis, UFC 228
2017 – Johnson vs Borg, UFC 216
2016 – Diaz vs McGregor, UFC 196
2015 – Rousey vs Zingano, UFC 184
2014 – Saunders vs Heatherly, UFC FN49
2013 – Faber vs Menjivar, UFC 157
2012 – Mir vs Nogueira, UFC 140
2011 – Zombie vs Garcia, UFC FN24
2010 – Werdum vs Fedor, Strikeforce
2009 – Imada vs Masvidal, Bellator 5
2008 – St-Pierre vs Hughes, UFC 79
Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the most successful specialist trainer (e.g. S&C, nutritionist, mind coach) operating in mixed martial artsPrevious Winners
2024 – Ian Larios
2023 – Dr. Heather Linden
2022 – Dr. Heather Linden
2021 – Phil Daru
2019-20 – Phil Daru
2018 – Nick Curson
2017 – Nick Curson
2016 – Mike Dolce
2015 – Mike Dolce
2014 – Mike Dolce
2013 – Mike Dolce
Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year
Awarded to the most successful coach working in top-level mixed martial artsPrevious Winners
2024 – Plinio Cruz
2023 – Mike Brown
2022 – Eugene Bareman
2021 – Trevor Wittman
2019-20 – Trevor Wittman
2018 – Mike Brown
2017 – Trevor Wittman
2016 – John Kavanagh
2015 – Rafael Cordeiro
2014 – Duane Ludwig
2013 – Duane Ludwig
2012 – Rafael Cordeiro
2011 – Greg Jackson
2010 – Greg Jackson
2009 – Greg Jackson
Gym of the Year
Awarded to the gym that has not only enjoyed great success inside the Octagon, but also helped to develop the sport outside of the elite levelPrevious Winners
2024 – The Fighting Nerds
2023 – American Top Team
2022 – City Kickboxing
2021 – American Top Team
2019-20 – American Top Team
2018 – American Top Team
2017 – American Top Team
2016 – American Top Team
2015 – Jackson-Wink MMA Academy
2014 – Team Alpha Male
2013 – Team Alpha Male
2012 – Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
2011 – Black House
2010 – Wand Fight Team
2009 – Greg Jackson’s Submission Fighting
Referee of the Year
Awarded to the most efficient and consistent official in mixed martial artsPrevious Winners
2024 – Herb Dean
2023 – Herb Dean
2022 – Marc Goddard
2021 – Herb Dean
2019-20 – Herb Dean
2018 – Herb Dean
2017 – John McCarthy
2016 – John McCarthy
2015 – John McCarthy
2014 – Herb Dean
2013 – Herb Dean
2012 – Herb Dean
2011 – Herb Dean
2010 – Herb Dean
Ringcard Girl of the Year
Awarded to the fans favorite Octagon girl working in MMA.Previous Winners
2024 – Luciana Andrade
2023 – Brittney Palmer
2022 – Brittney Palmer
2021 – Brittney Palmer
2019-20 – Brittney Palmer
2018 – Jhenny Andrade
2017 – Jhenny Andrade
2016 – Jhenny Andrade
2015 – Arianny Celeste
2014 – Arianny Celeste
2013 – Brittney Palmer
2012 – Brittney Palmer
2011 – Arianny Celeste
2010 – Arianny Celeste
2009 – Arianny Celeste
2008 – Arianny Celeste
Best Promotion
Awarded to the leading promotional business in mixed martial arts from around the worldPrevious Winners
2024 – UFC
2023 – UFC
2022 – UFC
2021 – UFC
2019-20 – UFC
2018 – UFC
2017 – UFC
2016 – UFC
2015 – UFC
2014 – UFC
2013 – UFC
2012 – UFC
2011 – UFC
2010 – UFC
2009 – UFC
2008 – UFC
Leading Man
Awarded to the leading industry executive, whether it be a commissioner, company president, CEO or politician. The movers and shakers that make planet MMA turn successfully.Previous Winners
2023 – Dana White
2022 – Dana White
2021 – Dana White
2019-20 – Dana White
2018 – Dana White
2017 – Dana White
2016 – Dana White
2015 – Dana White
2014 – Dana White
2013 – Dana White
2012 – Dana White
2011 – Dana White
2010 – Dana White
2009 – Dana White
2008 – Dana White
Personality of the Year
Awarded to a leading MMA personality whose engaging persona is a credit to the sport of mixed martial artsPrevious Winners
2024 – Nina Drama
2023 – Joe Rogan
2022 – Joe Rogan
2021 – Daniel Cormier
2019-20 – Joe Rogan
2018 – Joe Rogan
2017 – Joe Rogan
2016 – Joe Rogan
2015 – Joe Rogan
2014 – Joe Rogan
2013 – Chael Sonnen
2012 – Joe Rogan
2011 – Joe Rogan
2010 – Joe Rogan
Analyst of the Year
Awarded to a leading TV analyst whose ability to breakdown and report on a fight or style is second to nonePrevious Winners
2024 – Michael Bisping
2023 – Michael Bisping
2022 – Michael Bisping
2021 – Michael Bisping
2019-20 – Daniel Cormier
2018 – Daniel Cormier
2017 – Dominick Cruz
2016 – Dominick Cruz
2015 – Dominick Cruz
Best MMA Programming
Awarded to the leading TV, radio or podcast color programming centered around mixed martial artsPrevious Winners
2024 – Dana White’s Contender Series
2023 – Dana White’s Contender Series
2022 – Morning Kombat
2021 – Morning Kombat
2019-20 – JRE MMA Podcast
2018 – The Ultimate Fighter
2017 – The Ultimate Fighter
2016 – The Ultimate Fighter
2015 – UFC Embedded
MMA Media Source of the Year
Awarded to the leading source of news, fight reviews and features. Fighters Only is abstaining from nominationPrevious Winners
2024 – ESPN MMA
2023 – ESPN MMA
2022 – ESPN MMA
2021 – ESPN MMA
2019-20 – ESPN MMA
2018 – MMA Fighting
2017 – MMA Fighting
2016 – MMA Fighting
2015 – MMA Fighting
2014 – MMA Junkie
2013 – MMA Fighting
2012 – Sherdog
2011 – MMA Junkie
2010 – MMA Junkie
2009 – MMA Junkie
2008 – MMA Junkie
MMA Journalist of the Year
Awarded to the leading journalist operating in the field of mixed martial arts. Fighters Only staff are abstained from nominationPrevious Winners
2024 – Ariel Helwani
2023 – Ariel Helwani
2022 – Ariel Helwani
2021 – Ariel Helwani
2019-20 – Ariel Helwani
2018 – Ariel Helwani
2017 – Ariel Helwani
2016 – Ariel Helwani
2015 – Ariel Helwani
2014 – Ariel Helwani
2013 – Ariel Helwani
2012 – Ariel Helwani
2011 – Ariel Helwani
2010 – Ariel Helwani
2009 – John Morgan
Fighting Spirit Award
Awarded to those within the sport that demonstrate the true character and spirit of Martial Arts via their actions either inside or outside of the cagePrevious Winners
2024 – Mark Coleman
2023 – Themba Gorimbo
2022 – Kevin Holland (Bravery)
2021 – Brandon Moreno (Perseverance)
2019-20 – Dustin Poirier (Charity)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Biggest award of the night presented by CEO Rob Hewitt for the biggest contribution to Mixed Martial ArtsPrevious Winners
2024 – Mark Coleman
2023 – Ken Shamrock
2022 – Kirik Jenness
2021 – Matt Hughes
2019-20 – Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
2018 – Wanderlei Silva
2017 – John McCarthy
2016 – Tito Ortiz
2015 – Bruce Buffer
2014 – Burt Watson
2013 – Royce Gracie
2012 – Leon Tabbs
2011 – Shawn Tompkins
2010 – Randy Couture
2009 – Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis
2008 – John McCarthy