With the UFC’s final event of the year concluding last weekend, it’s time to hand out our end-of-the-year MMA Awards. Standout performers from the UFC, PFL, and Bellator are eligible for nomination. We have many categories including Knockout of the Year, Fighter of the Year, Coach of the Year, Fight of the Year, and more.
Knockout of the Year: Josh Emmett
Josh Emmett landed one of the most devastating right hands in MMA history just a week ago at UFC 296. The Featherweight power puncher knocked out Bryce Mitchell in the first round of their PPV matchup. Mitchell walked into an overhand right that sent him faceplanting to the canvas. Needing only one punch Emmett stamped his claim for Knockout of the Year. Emmett entered the contest as a +220 betting underdog but silenced oddsmakers in under two minutes.
This was one of the scariest knockouts in a long time and Emmett showed class in victory not hitting his opponent after he was already unconscious. The Featherweight veteran is known for his punching power, as we’ve seen him produce violent knockouts in the past, like his win over Ricardo Lamas. Many incredible KOs happened in 2023 but none was more damaging than Emmett’s win over Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296.
MMA Awards Honorable Mentions: Israel Adesanya KO win over Alex Perreria, Diego Ferreira KO win over Michael Johnson, Ismael Bonfim KO win over Terrance McKinney.
Fighter of the Year: Sean Strickland
2023’s Fighter of the Year is current Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. As one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster, Strickland produced three key wins this year and captured gold with the promotion. Strickland had to go through Abus Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov to get a chance to face former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Strickland defeated Imavov by decision before stopping Magomedov with strikes.
Filling on short notice, Strickland was a massive +600 betting underdog in his fight with Adesanya. In the first round, Strickland landed a straight right hand that knocked down the champion. Strickland followed up with punches until the end of the round and set the tone for the rest of the contest. Over the next four rounds, Strickland controlled the fight by pressuring Adesanya to the fence and landing volume. It was one of the most surprising performances in a title fight in recent memory. Strickland was able to beat the Middleweight great at his own game, which makes him the Fighter of the Year in 2023.
MMA Awards Honorable Mentions: Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards, Alex Perreria
Fight of the Year: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski UFC 284
The Fight of the Year took place at UFC 284 when the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world faced off in a thrilling matchup for the UFC Lightweight title. 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev defended his belt against Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovksi in Australia. Both competitors are all-time greats at their weight classes and over-delivered in this PPV Main Event.
Makhachev started strong in rounds one and two jumping out to an early lead. This was a highly competitive contest as Volkanovski rallied late in the second half of the fight. In the championship rounds, Volkanovski was able to keep a tremendous pace and stuffed multiple takedown attempts from the champion, even reversing him to land damaging ground and pound. One of the key elements in a great fight is the uncertainty when the fight reaches the judge’s scorecards. No one watching knew what was going to happen when Bruce Buffer read the decision. Makhachev was able to narrowly retain his title in a razor-close fight fans won’t soon forget.
MMA Awards Honorable Mentions: Brennan Ward vs. Sabah Homasi (Bellator 290), Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno (UFC 290), Clay Collard vs. Shane Burgos (PFL 9), Brad Katona vs. Cody Gibson (UFC 292).
Coach of the Year: Eric Nicksick
The Award for Coach of the Year may have been the easiest selection to make in 2023. As the Head Coach at Extreme Couture Eric Nicksick helped Sean Strickland to a UFC Middleweight title and also contributed to the successful transition of Francis Ngannou into Boxing. Many great athletes train under Nicksick including Chris Cutis, Amir Albazi, and Manel Kape.
Nicksick has only improved and elevated the fighters he works with at one of MMA’s greatest gyms. In Sean Strickland’s upset win this year, Nicksick was in his corner giving tremendous advice in between rounds. The gameplan’s that Nicksick and his gym put together are impressive and helped many of his fighters in 2023.
MMA Awards Honorable Mentions: Javier Mendez (American Kickboxing Academy), Mike Brown (American Top Team), Dave Lovell (Team Renegade).
Event of the Year: UFC 295
UFC 295 was the most entertaining PPV event of the year and had all five fights on the main card ended by finish. In the Main event, Alex Perreria became the 8th fighter in UFC history to win a championship in two weight classes. Perreria knocked out former Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka to accomplish this rare feat. The Co-Main event featured an Interim Heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Serghei Pavlovich. Aspinall became England’s first belt holder in the Heavyweight division. Pavlovich was a quality opponent who had finished 7 straight opponents in the first round.
Also on the UFC 295 fight card, three other fights ended by finish. Jessica Andrade, Benoit Saint Dennis, and Diego Lopes all won by knockout in high-action contests. With historic outcomes and entertaining matchups all night it’s easy to see why UFC 296 wins our MMA Awards Event of the Year.
MMA Awards Honorable Mentions: UFC 290, Bellator 300, UFC 291.
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