World MMA Awards

The World MMA Awards are awards presented by Fighters Only magazine to honor exceptional performance in various aspects of mixed martial arts. Winners are presented with the Fighters Only silver statuette. The World MMA Awards are divided into over twenty categories. The first World MMA Awards ceremony was held in 2008. From their inception to the present, award winners have been chosen through online fan voting.[2][3] It is the most prestigious award event in the world of MMA.[4][5][6][7]

World MMA Awards
Awarded for	Excellence in the field of Mixed martial arts
Country	United States
Presented by	Fighters Only Magazine
First awarded	2008
Website	WorldMMAAwards.com
Television/radio coverage
Network	Versus[1] Fuel TV[2] Fox Sports Networks[2]

Active award categories

The Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year

• 2008 Anderson Silva[8]
• 2009 Georges St-Pierre[9]

For the 2010 awards, the Fighter of the Year award was renamed The Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year award in commemoration of Tapout co-founder Charles Lewis Jr..[10]

• 2010 José Aldo[11]
• 2011 Jon Jones[12]
• 2012 Jon Jones[13]
• 2013 Chris Weidman[14]
• 2014 Robbie Lawler[15]
• 2015 Conor McGregor[16]
• 2016 Conor McGregor[17]
• 2017 Max Holloway[18]
• 2018 Daniel Cormier[19]

Female Fighter of the Year

• 2008 Gina Carano[8]
• 2009 Cris Cyborg[9]
• 2010 Cris Cyborg[11]
• 2011 Miesha Tate[12]
• 2012 Ronda Rousey[13]
• 2013 Ronda Rousey[14]
• 2014 Ronda Rousey[15]
• 2015 Holly Holm[16]
• 2016 Amanda Nunes[20]
• 2017 Rose Namajunas[18]
• 2018 Amanda Nunes[19]

Breakthrough Fighter of the Year

• 2008 Demian Maia[8]
• 2009 Brock Lesnar[9]
• 2010 Jon Jones[11]
• 2011 Donald Cerrone[12]
• 2012 Chris Weidman[13]
• 2013 Travis Browne[14]
• 2014 Kelvin Gastelum[15]
• 2015 Holly Holm[16]
• 2016 Cody Garbrandt
• 2017 Brian Ortega[18]
• 2018 Israel Adesanya[19]

International Fighter of the Year

This award was originally known as the European Fighter of the Year.

• 2008 Michael Bisping[8]
• 2009 Gegard Mousasi[9]

This award was renamed the International Fighter of the Year from 2010 onward. It is Awarded to the leading mixed martial artist from outside of the Americas.

• 2010 Alistair Overeem[11]
• 2011 Alistair Overeem[12]
• 2012 Michael Bisping[13]
• 2013 Alexander Gustafsson[14]
• 2014 Conor McGregor[15]
• 2015 Conor McGregor[16]
• 2016 Khabib Nurmagomedov
• 2017 Robert Whittaker[18]
• 2018 Aung La Nsang[19]

Fight of the Year

• 2008 Chuck Liddell UD 3 Wanderlei Silva[8] - UFC 79
• 2009 Diego Sanchez SD 3 Clay Guida[9] - The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale
• 2010 Anderson Silva SUB 5 Chael Sonnen[11] - UFC 117
• 2011 Frankie Edgar S Draw 5 Gray Maynard II[12] - UFC 125
• 2012 Joe Lauzon SUB 3 Jamie Varner[13] - UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera
• 2013 Jon Jones UD 5 Alexander Gustafsson[14] - UFC 165
• 2014 José Aldo UD 5 Chad Mendes II[15] - UFC 179
• 2015 Robbie Lawler TKO 5 Rory MacDonald II[16] - UFC 189
• 2016 Cub Swanson UD 3 Doo Ho Choi [21] - UFC 206
• 2017 Eddie Alvarez KO 3 Justin Gaethje - UFC 218
• 2018 Tony Ferguson TKO 2 Anthony Pettis - UFC 229[19]
• 2019 Israel Adesanya UD 5 Kelvin Gastelum - UFC 236

Knockout of the Year

• 2008 Wanderlei Silva KO 1 Keith Jardine[8] - UFC 84
• 2009 Dan Henderson KO 2 Michael Bisping[9] - UFC 100
• 2010 Maurício Rua KO 1 Lyoto Machida[11] - UFC 113
• 2011 Anderson Silva KO 1 Vitor Belfort[12] - UFC 126
• 2012 Edson Barboza KO 3 Terry Etim[13] - UFC 142
• 2013 Vitor Belfort KO 1 Luke Rockhold[14] - UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold
• 2014 Mark Hunt KO 2 Roy Nelson[15] - UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson
• 2015 Holly Holm KO 2 Ronda Rousey[16] - UFC 193
• 2016 Michael Page KO 2 Evangelista Santos - Bellator 158
• 2017 Francis Ngannou KO 1 Alistair Overeem - UFC 218
• 2018 Amanda Nunes KO 1 Cris Cyborg - UFC 232[19]
• 2019 Jorge Masvidal KO 4 Ben Askren - UFC 239

Submission of the Year

• 2008 Georges St-Pierre SUB 2 Matt Hughes[8] - UFC 79
• 2009 Toby Imada SUB 3 Jorge Masvidal[9] - Bellator 5
• 2010 Fabrício Werdum SUB 1 Fedor Emelianenko[11] - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum
• 2011 Chan Sung Jung SUB 2 Leonard Garcia[12] - UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis
• 2012 Frank Mir SUB 1 Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira[13] - UFC 140
• 2013 Urijah Faber SUB 1 Ivan Menjivar[14] - UFC 157
• 2014 Ben Saunders SUB 1 Chris Heatherly[15] - UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos
• 2015 Ronda Rousey SUB 1 Cat Zingano[16] - UFC 184
• 2016 Nate Diaz SUB 2 Conor McGregor - UFC 196
• 2017 Demetrious Johnson SUB 5 Ray Borg - UFC 216
• 2018 Zabit Magomedsharipov SUB 2 Brandon Davis - UFC 228[19]

Comeback of the Year

• 2011 Cheick Kongo KO 1 Pat Barry[12] - UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry
• 2012 Frank Mir SUB 1 Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira[13] - UFC 140
• 2013 Travis Browne KO 1 Alistair Overeem[14] - UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen
• 2014 Dominick Cruz KO 1 Takeya Mizugaki[15] - UFC 178
• 2015 Eddie Alvarez SD 3 Gilbert Melendez[16] - UFC 188
• 2016 Miesha Tate SUB 5 Holly Holm - UFC 196
• 2017 Justin Gaethje TKO 2 Michael Johnson - The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale
• 2018 Angela Lee UD 5 Mei Yamaguchi[19] - ONE FC 73

Upset of the Year

• 2014 TJ Dillashaw TKO 5 Renan Barao[15] - UFC 173
• 2015 Holly Holm KO 2 Ronda Rousey[16] - UFC 193
• 2016 Michael Bisping KO 1 Luke Rockhold - UFC 199
• 2017 Rose Namajunas TKO 1 Joanna Jędrzejczyk - UFC 217
• 2018 Amanda Nunes KO 1 Cris Cyborg - UFC 232[19]

The Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year

• 2009 Greg Jackson[9]
• 2010 Greg Jackson[11]
• 2011 Greg Jackson[12]

For the 2012 awards, the Coach of the Year award was renamed The Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year award in commemoration of Shawn Tompkins.

• 2012 Rafael Cordeiro[13]
• 2013 Duane Ludwig[14]
• 2014 Duane Ludwig[15]
• 2015 Rafael Cordeiro[16]
• 2016 John Kavanagh
• 2017 Trevor Wittman
• 2018 Mike Brown[19]

Gym of the Year

• 2009 Greg Jackson Fighting Systems[9]
• 2010 Wand Training Center[11]
• 2011 Black House[12]
• 2012 Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu[13]
• 2013 Team Alpha Male[14]
• 2014 Team Alpha Male[15]
• 2015 Jackson-Wink MMA Academy[16]
• 2016 American Top Team
• 2017 American Top Team
• 2018 American Top Team[19]

Trainer of the Year

• 2013 Mike Dolce[14]
• 2014 Mike Dolce[15]
• 2015 Mike Dolce[16]
• 2016 Mike Dolce
• 2017 Nick Curson
• 2018 Nick Curson

Referee of the Year

• 2010 Herb Dean[11]
• 2011 Herb Dean[12]
• 2012 Herb Dean[13]
• 2013 Herb Dean[14]
• 2014 Herb Dean[15]
• 2015 John McCarthy[16]
• 2016 John McCarthy
• 2017 John McCarthy
• 2018 Herb Dean[19]

Ringcard Girl of the Year

• 2008 Arianny Celeste[8]
• 2009 Arianny Celeste[9]
• 2010 Arianny Celeste[11]
• 2011 Arianny Celeste[12]
• 2012 Brittney Palmer[13]
• 2013 Brittney Palmer[14]
• 2014 Arianny Celeste[15]
• 2015 Arianny Celeste[16]
• 2016 Jhenny Andrade
• 2017 Jhenny Andrade
• 2018 Jhenny Andrade[19]

Leading Man of the Year

Awarded to the leading industry executive in the world of MMA.

• 2008 Dana White[8]
• 2009 Dana White[9]
• 2010 Dana White[11]
• 2011 Dana White[12]
• 2012 Dana White[13]
• 2013 Dana White[14]
• 2014 Dana White[15]
• 2015 Dana White[16]
• 2016 Dana White[22]
• 2017 Dana White[23]
• 2018 Dana White[19]

MMA Personality of the Year

• 2011 Joe Rogan[12]
• 2012 Joe Rogan[13]
• 2013 Chael Sonnen[14]
• 2014 Joe Rogan[15]
• 2015 Joe Rogan[16]
• 2016 Joe Rogan
• 2017 Joe Rogan
• 2018 Joe Rogan

Analyst of the Year

• 2015 Dominick Cruz[16]
• 2016 Dominick Cruz
• 2017 Dominick Cruz
• 2018 Daniel Cormier[19]

Best Promotion

• 2008 Ultimate Fighting Championship[8]
• 2009 Ultimate Fighting Championship[9]
• 2010 Ultimate Fighting Championship[11]
• 2011 Ultimate Fighting Championship[12]
• 2012 Ultimate Fighting Championship[13]
• 2013 Ultimate Fighting Championship[14]
• 2014 Ultimate Fighting Championship[15]
• 2015 Ultimate Fighting Championship[16]
• 2016 Ultimate Fighting Championship
• 2017 Ultimate Fighting Championship
• 2018 Ultimate Fighting Championship[19]

Lifetime Achievement

This honor is decided by the awards panel.

Special Achievement Award

• 2009 Charles Lewis, Jr.[9]

Outstanding Contribution to MMA

• 2010 Randy Couture[11]
• 2011 Shawn Tompkins[12]

Lifetime Achievement

• 2012 Leon Tabbs[13]
• 2013 Royce Gracie[14]
• 2014 Burt Watson[15]
• 2015 Bruce Buffer[16]
• 2018 Wanderlei Silva[24]

MMA Media Source of the Year

Best Media Coverage.

• 2008 MMAjunkie.com[8]
• 2009 MMAjunkie.com[9]

Media Source of the Year.

• 2010 MMAjunkie.com[11]
• 2011 MMAjunkie.com[12]
• 2012 Sherdog[13]
• 2013 MMA Fighting[14]
• 2014 MMAjunkie.com[15]
• 2015 MMA Fighting[16]
• 2016 MMA Fighting
• 2017 MMA Fighting
• 2018 MMA Fighting[19]

Best MMA Programming

• 2015 UFC Embedded[16]
• 2016 The Ultimate Fighter
• 2017 The Ultimate Fighter
• 2018 The Ultimate Fighter

MMA Journalist of the Year

• 2009 John Morgan[9]
• 2010 Ariel Helwani[11]
• 2011 Ariel Helwani[12]
• 2012 Ariel Helwani[13]
• 2013 Ariel Helwani[14]
• 2014 Ariel Helwani[15]
• 2015 Ariel Helwani[16]
• 2016 Ariel Helwani[20]
• 2017 Ariel Helwani
• 2018 Ariel Helwani[19]
• 2019 John Morgan[25]

MMA Clothing & Equipment Brand of the Year

• 2015 Bad Boy
• 2016 Venum
• 2017 Reebok
• 2018 Reebok
• 2019 Reebok
• 2020 Reebok
• 2021 Venum

Defunct award categories

Best MMA Brand

• 2008 Ultimate Fighting Championship[8]
• 2009 TapouT[9]

Most Memorable Ring Entrance

• 2010 Jason Miller[11]
• 2011 Jason Miller[12]

Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand

Best Overall Clothing.

• 2008 TapouT[8]

Best MMA Clothing.

• 2009 TapouT[9]

Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand.

• 2010 TapouT[11]
• 2011 TapouT[12]
• 2012 Bad Boy[13]
• 2013 Bad Boy[14]
• 2014 Bad Boy[15]

Best Technical Clothing Brand

Best MMA Shorts.

• 2008 Sprawl[8]
• 2009 TapouT[9]

Best Technical Clothing Brand.

• 2010 Bad Boy[11]
• 2011 Bad Boy[12]
• 2012 Clinch Gear[13]
• 2013 Venum[14]
• 2014 Venum[15]

Best Technical Equipment

Best MMA Gloves.

• 2008 Fairtex[8]
• 2009 UFC / Century[9]

Best Technical Equipment.

• 2010 Everlast[11]
• 2011 Everlast[12]
• 2012 Pretorian[13]
• 2013 Bad Boy[14]
• 2014 Everlast[15]

References

1. "Versus to air 2010 World MMA Awards on Dec. 9, Versus' Molly Qerim co-hosts". MMAjunkie.com. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
2. Leach, Robin (10 January 2013). "MMA Awards preview: Stars include fighters, Coco, Claire, Springer and 'Absinthe'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
3. "Silva, Carano, UFC, MMAjunkie.com win World Mixed Martial Arts Awards". MMAjunkie.com. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
4. Adept Mobile. "World MMA Awards Show Premieres Wed. on FOX Sports 2". ufc.com.
5. "ONE Championship". onefc.com.
6. "Jose Aldo takes top honours in FO World Mixed Martial Arts Awards 2010". Sport - Telegraph Blogs.
7. "Roufusport Nominated for 'Gym of the Year' at 2011 World MMA Awards". fightnetwork.com.
8. "Fighters Only World MMA Awards Results". The MMA News. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
9. Rhodes, Stephen (31 December 2009). "2009 World MMA Awards – Official Results". Octagon Buzz. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
10. Okamoto, Brett (31 December 2009). "2009 MMA awards show honors top moments of the year". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
11. Mrosko, Geno (2 December 2010). "2010 World MMA Awards Winners and Results". MMA Mania. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
12. Leslie, Chris (1 December 2011). "2011 World MMA Awards: Jon Jones wins Fighter of the Year". MMA Frenzy. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
13. Tucker, Bryan (11 January 2013). "World MMA Awards 2012 Results". MMAFighting. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
14. Tucker, Bryan. "World MMA Awards 2013 Results".
15. "7th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards winners list". FightersOnlyMag.com. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
16. "8th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards winners". FightersOnlyMag.com. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
17. Bryan Tucker (2 March 2017). "World MMA Awards 2017 Results".
18. Bryan Tucker (4 July 2018). "World MMA Awards 2018 Results".
19. Bryan Tucker (4 July 2019). "World MMA Awards 2019 Results". mmafighting.com.
20. "8th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards winners". FightersOnlyMag.com. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
21. https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/2016-fight-of-the-year-conor-mcgregor-vs-nate-diaz-2-122316
22. "World MMA Awards 2016 Results". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
23. "World MMA Awards 2017 Results". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
24. Chuck Mindenhall (4 July 2019). "An evening at the Fighters Only World MMA Awards". theathletic.com.

External links

• Official website
• 2009 Winners
• 2010 Winners
• 2011 Winners
• 2012 Winners
• 2013 Winners
• 2014 Winners
• 2015 Winners
• 2017 Winners (2016 achievements)
• 2018 Winners (2017 achievements)