The 2016 MMAFO World MMA Awards

Male Fighter of the Year:

     Michael “The Count” Bisping

     England's 1st UFC Champion defeated legend Anderson Silva in February in one of the greatest comebacks of all time. "The Count" returned on 2 weeks notice to knockout Luke Rockhold and become the UFC Middleweight Champion in June, and avenged his loss to Dan Henderson while defending his title in October. No male fighter had a more surprising or successful year than Mikey and damned if MMAFO doesn't love the guy. Good on ya mate!

Female Fighter of the Year:

     “The Lioness” Amanda Nunes

     Nunes defeated contender Valentina Shevchenko, submitted Miesha Tate for the Women's Bantamweight title, and annihilated the female GOAT Ronda Rousey in a mere 0:48 seconds! Amanda is also the 1st openly gay UFC Champion and is a fearsome and wonderful person!

Breakthrough Fighter of the Year:

     Cody Garbrandt

     "No Love" went 4-0 in '16 ended the year by dismantling Dominick Cruz to become the UFC Bantamweight Champion! MMAFO will admit we did not see it coming and highly underestimated the 1st Team Alpha Male fighter to earn a UFC belt. You also gotta respect a guy who brought cancer survivor and friend Maddux Maple with him to the Octagon and even placed the belt around his waist.

Fight of the Year:

     Robbie Lawler versus Carlos Condit at UFC 195.
     Both men gave all they had and left part of their lives in the cage on the 2nd day of 2016. It was 25 minutes of pure war and one of the most brutal and beautiful MMA fights of all time! Neither man will ever be the same and respect must be given to these warriors!

     Honorable Mention

     Kevin “Cub” Swanson defeated Doo Ho Choi by Unanimous Decision at UFC 206. 

KO of the Year:

     Landon Venatta hits a picture perfect Spinning Wheel Kick knocking out John Makdessi at UFC 206.

     Honorable Mention

     Gerald Harris slams Aaron Cobb to hell! At Legacy Fighting Championship 63, it took the “Hurricane” all of 0:43 to crush Cobb who also came into the contest 50 lbs. overweight! 

Submission of the Year:

     Miesha Tate’s Rear-Naked-Choke over Holly Holm to win the UFC Bantamweight Champion at UFC 196.

     Honorable Mention

     Misha Circkunov breaks Alex Nicholson’s jaw at UFC Fight Night 82.

     MaKenzie Dern submits Montana Stewart at Legacy FC 61 via RNC while holding on to the omoplata.

Upset of the Year:

     Michael Bisping KO’s Luke Rockhold to become the UFC Middleweight Champion!

     "The Count" finally got his shot at the gold after a long 12 year career facing PED abusers and a litany of naysayers. On only 2 weeks notice, Bisping never lost his desire or belief in himself as he strode into The Forum in Inglewood, and not only defeated Rockhold as a giant underdog, but knocked him the fuck out! It was a shocking thing of beauty as boxing coach Jason Parillo crossed his arms in knowing satisfaction.

Comeback Fighter of the Year:

     Conor McGregor

     After all the hype trash talk, all the hype, all the expectations surrounding the "Notorious" one, Conor was defeated by Nick Diaz at UFC 196! McGregor tapped out quickly to a RNC which wasn't lost on critics and fans alike. The Irishman could have disappeared into the fog and employed a media blackout of silence, exactly as Ronda Rousey did, but he handled the loss like a professional. McGregor demanded a rematch and at the exact same weight, two classes above where he had been fighting. Conor would not shy away from the fight or the responsibilities he placed upon himself. This, is how a true professional warrior reacts to adversity.

Beating of the Year:

     Stephen Thompson brutalizes Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night 82.

     It took a single round and 3:31 for "Wonderboy" to destroy what was left of poor ole "Pigg Rigg" and he did it in karate style.

Most Improved Fighter of the Year:

     Rena Kubota

Prospect of the Year:

     Angela Lee 

Coach of the Year:

     Mike Thomas Brown (ATT)

     The former WEC champ has transitioned into a stellar MMA coach at the uber-successful ATT (see below). MTB has become the "face" of the club in Florida ensuring confidence, calm, and triumph for his students.

Gym of the Year:

     American Top Team

     Sporting champions Amanda Nunes, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Tyron Woodley, ATT is dominated the MMA landscape in '16. No camp had a better year and the roster includes Robbie Lawler, Junior dos Santos, Tecia Torres, Will Brooks, Dustin Poirier, Brad Pickett, Jorge Masvidal, Kyoji Horiguchi, and many, many more fighters who had successful years and careers. 

Entrance of the Year:

     Urijah Faber at UFC on Fox 22 in Sacramento, California. 

     "California love." "The California Kid" made the walk to the Octagon for a final time in his hometown as the iconic music attached to the Alpha Male played for a final time. 

Round of the Year:

     Kevin Swanson and Doo Ho Choi's 2nd round at UFC 206.

Rivalry of the Year:

     Nate Diaz & Stockton, California versus Conor McGregor & Ireland. 

     No feud has captured the attention of MMA fans since Chuck Liddell faced off against Tito Ortiz. The fans were engaged on a whole new level picking sides in an epic war. The best part, is that its not over yet!

Commentator of the Year:

     John Anik (2)

Color Commentator of the Year: 

     Brian Stann 

Ringcard Girl of the Year:

     Red Dela Cruz

Story of the Year:

     UFC purchased by WMG-ING

     This was an easy one and the "story" that will top all the MMA lists. What will happen next?

Cheater of the Year:

     Brock Lesnar 

     "I'm a white boy, and I'm jacked. Deal with it." This was the quote the "Beast Incarnate" said when questions arose over how amazing his physique looked going into his return bout at UFC 200. Well what do you know, Brock tested positive for the PED clomiphene (which can double testosterone levels) after being allowed to skip the 4 month testing required by USADA before returning to MMA action. All of this makes Brock and the UFC look sketchy at best.

MMA Failure of the Year:

     Johny Hendricks

     Good god man! In 2 years, "Bigg Rigg" went from UFC Champion to likely being cut from the roster. Since losing the strap, Hendricks has made a record of 1-4 including losing a potential title fight with Tyron Woodley because of weight cutting complications, and failed to make weight against Kelvin Gastelum and Neil Magny. Johny has become a sad joke and a disaster.

     Honorable Mention

     Jon Jones 

     Dude continues to be unable to get out of his own way as "Bones" cannot fulfill his "comeback" getting pulled from a rematch with Daniel Cormier because the guy took an off brand Cialis pill from a "guy at his gym" which contained PED's. Jezus, you just cannot make this shit up. This talented cat is just a complete moron in life without a hint to owning his mistakes. 

Judges Robbery of the Year:

     Rafael Carvalho gifted a win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 155.

     

MMA Website:

     http://www.bloodyelbow.com/ (4)

MMA Podcast:

     The Co-Main Event Broadcast (3)

     Ben Fowlkes and Chad Dundas continue to have the best MMA podcast around despite the overrated MMA Hour getting all the glory.

MMA Journalist of the Year:

     Marc Raimondi

     Writing for the New York Post, Fox Sports, and MMA Fighting, Marc is quietly sneaking ahead of his compatriots writing the best pieces for combat sports today. 

Rest In Peace

     Muhammad Ali