Male Fighter of the Year:
Conor McGregor
The “Notorious” Irishman went 3-0 for 2015 capturing the Interim title, before finally uniting the UFC Featherweight Championship in December with a 0:13 KO of the former “Pound4Pound” best fighter in the world! McGregor defeated Dennis Siver (by TKO), Chad Mendes (by TKO) on short notice, and the aforementioned Jose Aldo (by KO). Conor also took the MMA world upon his shoulders talking up mass interest in his career and backing up every word of it. Nobody was safe from the wrath of McGregor’s vitriol all while handling insane media obligations, coaching TUF 22, and silencing all the doubters. “Mystic Mac” did all these things he hath predicted so take a knee. The “King of Ireland” is MMAFO’s “Male Fighter of the Year” long may he reign.
Female Fighter of the Year:
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Jedrzejczyk won the Strawweight title from Carla Esparza at UFC 185 by standing TKO, and then defended it by slaughtering poor Jessica Penne, before earning a hard fought decision over game Valerie Letourneau. Joanna “Champion” took the 115 division to new heights of popularity and is as lovely as she is deadly. Jedrzejczyk's gift of gab and sparkling personality have made her a superstar.
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year:
Holly Holm
The “Preacher’s Daughter” went 3-0 on the year while decisioning Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau. Then Holm faced the undefeated and feared Ronda Rousey. Holly not only defeated Rousey, but she embarrassed and dominated the “face of women’s MMA” before detaching Ronda from reality with a thunderous head kick heard round the world. The Jackson-Wink good girl became an overnight sensation after years of diligent work in the gym. An impressive fighter and a wonderful person who deserves all the praise she is now receiving.
Fight of the Year:
Robbie Lawler versus Rory MacDonald 2 UFC 189.
These two warriors met for the second time on July 11, at UFC 189. What resulted, was a war of mutual destruction and rivers of blood. Neither man would give an inch and after a competitive
fourth round, the men stood staring at each after the bell as both men would not leave the other’s gaze in a moment of respect and defiance separated only by the cut man and referee.
Honorable Mention:
LC Davis versus Hideo Tokoro March 27, Bellator 135.
KO of the Year:
Frank Mir KO’s Todd Duffee at UFC Fight Night 71.
People were giggling at Mir’s “dad body” going into the bout in San Diego, California. Opponent Duffee even joyfully talked trash about the aging fighter causing Frank to deny the touch of gloves before the fight began. Then the “Matador” fought like a bull refusing to use his excellent Jiu-Jitsu skills and instead landing powerful left hands early in a melee. It was a crazy pace for Heavyweights when Todd overextended and Mir landed the final left hand that face planted Duffee in the most dramatic of fashions!
Submission of the Year:
Angela Lee submits Natalie Gonzales Hills via Twister.
“Unstoppable” taps Natalie Gonzales Hills with the dreaded Twister at ONE Championship 32. You could see Angela setting up the rare submission for only her third professional win at nineteen years young. Impressive youngling.
Honorable Mention:
Marcos Galvao submits Joe Warren with the screaming Kneebar at Bellator 135.
Upset of the Year:
Holly Holm Head Kick KO of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193.
Not only was it an impressive win for the Women’s Bantamweight title, but it was an absolute obliteration of a human being.
Comeback Fighter of the Year:
Demian Maia
This mostly silent assassin is finally speaking up about ridiculous UFC rankings and the appointment of title shots. The Brazilian went 3-0 in 2015 defeating Ryan LaFlare, Neil Magny, and Gunnar Nelson with stellar and total Jiu-Jitsu excellence. He was dominant in all of his appearances and is knocking on the door of a title shot once again.
Beating of the Year:
Stipe Miocic versus Mark Hunt at UFC Fight Night 65.
Everyone loves “Hunto” and it was hard to watch him be dissected and wounded time and time again for 22:27 by the hard hitting Miocic. The winner was never in doubt as “Steepay” marched on in the Heavyweight division leaving Mark in his wake.
Combination Finish of the Year:
Uriah Hall’s TKO of Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night 75.
Did not see that one coming. It was like someone was mashing the video game controls as “Primetime” delivered a spinning back kick that badly hurt Gegard before adding the flying knee and finally the coffin nails. I say goddamn.
Most Improved Fighter of the Year:
Neil Magny
The Grudge fighter went 4-1 on the year and has dramatically upped his stock. Neil's last two wins were over Erick Silva and the heavily favored Kelvin Gastelum respectively. Coach Trevor Wittman has gotten more out of his fighter each time out and he's only improving.
Prospect of the Year:
Makwan Amirkhani
“Mr. Finland” breezed through ’15 destroying Andy Ogle with a flying knee in only 0:08 at UFC on Fox 14 and submitting Masio Fullen with a rear naked choke at UFC Fight Night 69. Amirkhani has now joined the Straight Blast Gym in Ireland and is only looking to compound on the excitement he brought last year.
Coach of the Year:
Rafael Cordeiro (2)
Gym of the Year:
Jackson-Wink (2)
Entrance of the Year:
Fedor Emelianenko at Rizin Iza no Mai.
Russian cathedral bells chimed as the vocals of a bass singing monk sang a traditional and terrifying anthem. Then, the announcement from beloved Pride announcer Lenne Hardt screamed the return of the greatest fighter of all time, The “Last Emperor,” Fedor Emelianenko. Chills were had by all.
Round of the Year:
Andrei Arlovski versus Travis Browne at UFC 187.
These two friends met on May 23rd, in a clash for Heavyweight supremacy. Most didn’t give the elder Arlovski a chance in Hell against the heavy handed Browne, but it was the “Pitbull” who severely wounded “Hapa” on the feet with left hands and body shots causing the Hawaiian to retreat on wobbly legs.The men reset and Arlovski hit a backfist and a couple of right hands to stagger Browne again. Andrei swarmed with strikes and just when Travis seemed out on his feet he thundered a right hook that Arlovski down on the mat. The fight wasn’t over however as Andrei roared back to life battering Travis against the fence and a right uppercut and right hook finished the insanity!
Commentator of the Year:
John Anik (UFC)
Color Commentator of the Year:
Jimmy Smith (Bellator)
Most Beautiful Ringcard Girl:
Brittney Palmer (3)
Story of the Year:
Jon Jones Hit-and-Run Case
On April 27, 2015, Albuquerque Police in New Mexico began to seek Jones in connection with a hit-and-run early the previous morning. Jones ran a red light and crashed his rental car in a collision involving two other vehicles. Jon fled the scene of the crash on foot, leaving an injured pregnant woman behind in another vehicle. On September 29, 2015, Jones plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was subsequently sentenced to up to 18 months of supervised probation. If Jones can meet all of his conditions, which include 72 separate appearances for charity or youth outreach, he will avoid a felony charge on his record. "Bones" was also stripped of his UFC Light Heavyweight title and then did a "walk-and-talk" with reporter Ariel Helwani where he took very little responsibility for his actions and continued to sound like a petulant child.
Cheater of the Year:
Rousimar Palhares
The stripped and now former WSOF Welterweight Champion was suspended for two years by the NSAC after repeatedly eye gouging opponent Jake Shields and holding onto yet another submission (a kimura) and fining him $40,000. It is repeated behavior from this moron who was fired from the UFC for the same practices that have showed up time and time again in the villains career. Palhares held submissions controversially against Tomasz Drwal (which resulted in a suspension), Jon Fitch (which resulted in a commission warning), and Mike Pierce (which resulted in being fired from the UFC). Rousimar has also been suspended for a PED drug failure in 2012. This piece of shit should just be banned from the sport at this point.
Judges Robbery of the Year:
Beneil Dariush versus Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 73.
The two lightweights met with Johnson on a four fight winning streak which was halted by the ineptitude of the MMA judges who scored an obvious bout for Dariush. It was the worst robbery in part because it was the most important fight the judges got dead wrong. Even Beneil seemed surprised at the poor results and MMA’s worst problem continues to plague the sport.
MMA Website:
Bloody Elbow (3)
MMA Podcast:
The Co-Main Event Podcast (2)
MMA Journalist of the year:
Luke Thomas (2)
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