Issue 125
February 2015
The fights are finished, the nominees have been decided and it’s time for you to select the winners of the Seventh Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards.
It’s almost that time again. Bruce Buffer has picked out his best tux, Chuck Liddell’s toenails have a fresh coat of polish and the red carpet is ready to roll out. We’re all set for the Oscars of our sport – the Seventh Annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards is just around the corner.
As soon as the final punches of 2014 were thrown, the Fighters Only panel of experts got together to create shortlists for each of the 22 awards up for grabs. It wasn’t an easy task, because there was an overabundance of outstanding action to choose from.
FO’s team of international editors and contributors joined Awards host Brian Stann to look back over a spectacular 12 months to select the final shortlist of nominees for fans to choose from. After countless hours and many heated debates we came up with the definitive shortlist featuring the very best of 2014.
All that’s left is for you to cast your votes to decide the winners. Without the die-hard support of legions of fans, mixed martial arts wouldn’t be the global phenomenon it is today, so it’s only right you get the final say. But hurry! The polls close on January 23rd ahead of the awards ceremony at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas on Friday 30th January.
To get your judging juices flowing, here’s a full list of the nominees in each of the awards up for your consideration. Only the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award is decided by Fighters Only Ltd and remains a closely guarded secret.
So, make sure your favorite fighter doesn’t miss out on some silverware. Log on to worldmmaawards.com before it’s too late.
Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading mixed martial artist for his contribution to the sport both inside and outside the ring or cage.
Donald Cerrone
TJ Dillashaw
Robbie Lawler
Emanuel Newton
Luke Rockhold
Female Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading female mixed martial artist for her contribution to the sport both inside and outside the ring or cage.
Jessica Aguilar
Carla Esparza
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Ronda Rousey
Herica Tiburcio
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading novice mixed martial artist for his/her rapid impact on the elite level of the sport. A true star of the future.
Will Brooks
Kelvin Gastelum
Justin Gaethje
Myles Jury
Yoel Romero
International Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading mixed martial artist from outside of the Americas for his/her contribution to the sport both in and out of the ring or octagon.
Andrei Arlovski
Kyoji Horiguchi
Liam McGeary
Conor McGregor
Alexander Volkov
Fight of the Year
Awarded to the two fighters involved in the most exciting fight staged on the planet.
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler I
(UFC 171)
José Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II
(UFC 179)
Matt Brown vs. Erick Silva
(UFC Fight Night 40)
Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Brown (UFC on Fox 12)
Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida (UFC 175)
Knockout of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most sensational knockout victory.
Abel Trujillo vs. Jamie Varner (UFC 169)
Dong Hyun Kim vs. John Hathaway
(TUF China Finale)
Chris Beal vs. Patrick Williams (UFC 172)
Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins
(UFC on Fox 10)
Joe Schilling vs. Melvin Manhoef
(Bellator 131)
Submission of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most technical and exceptional submission victory.
Ben Saunders vs. Chris Heatherly
(UFC Fight Night 49)
Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Boetsch
(UFC 172)
Yancy Medeiros vs. Damon Jackson (UFC 177)
Charles Oliveira vs. Hatsu Hioki
(UFC Fight Night 43)
Eduardo Dantas vs. Anthony Leone (Bellator 111)
Comeback of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who has managed to completely turn circumstances around, whether that be with his entire career or in a single moment of success.
Dominick Cruz (career)
Cathal Pendred vs. Mike King
(UFC Fight Night 46)
Cat Zingano (career)
Matt Brown vs. Erick Silva
(UFC Fight Night 40)
Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua II
(UFC Fight Night 38)
Upset of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who has managed to upset the oddsmakers and defeat an opponent ranked much higher.
TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao (UFC 173)
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Benson Henderson (UFC Fight Night 49)
Johnny Edurado vs. Eddie Wineland
(UFC Fight Night 40)
Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler I
(Bellator 120)
Joe Warren vs. Eduardo Dantas (Bellator 128)
Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year
Awarded to the most successful coach working in top-level mixed martial arts.
Rafael Cordeiro
Ray Longo
Duane Ludwig
Javier Mendez
Edmond Tarverdyan
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 level.
American Kickboxing Academy
American Top Team
Kings MMA
Straight Blast Gym Ireland
Team Alpha Male
Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the leading strength and conditioning coach or nutritionist in MMA.
Doug Balzarini
Brian Blue
Jake Bonacci
Mike Dolce
Joel Jamieson
Referee of the Year
Awarded to the most efficient and consistent official in mixed martial arts.
Mike Beltran
Herb Dean
Marc Goddard
Jason Herzog
John McCarthy
Ringcard Girl of the Year
Awarded to the fans’ favorite Octagon girl working in MMA.
Jhenny Andrade
Carly Baker
Jade Bryce
Arianny Celeste
Brittney Palmer
Leading Man of the Year
Awarded to the leading industry executive, whether it be a commissioner, a company president, an influential CEO or a politician.
Scott Coker
Garry Cook
Victor Cui
Lorenzo Fertitta
Dana White
Personality of the Year
Awarded to a leading personality in the business whose professionalism is a credit to the sport of mixed martial arts.
Kenny Florian
Renato Laranja
Joe Rogan
Brendan Schaub
Brian Stann
Best Promotion
Awarded to the leading promotional business in mixed martial arts.
Bellator MMA
Cage Warriors
One FC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
World Series Of Fighting
Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand
Awarded to the most popular, stylish and favored clothing brand; worn by fighters and fans alike. Style, popularity and value are key factors.
Affliction
Bad Boy
Dethrone
Roots of Fight
Torque
Best Technical Clothing Brand
Awarded to the company who has produced the best technical clothing used by today’s MMA athletes and trainers.
Bad Boy
Hayabusa
Jaco
Venum
Virus
Best Technical Equipment
Awarded to the company who has produced the best fight equipment used by today’s MMA athletes and trainers.
Bad Boy
Century
Combat Sports
Everlast
Hayabusa
MMA Media Source of the Year
The leading source of news, reviews and information on Planet MMA. Fighters Only is abstaining from nomination.
Bloody Elbow
Fightland
MMA Fighting
MMA Junkie
Sherdog
MMA Journalist of the Year
Awarded to the leading journalist operating in the field of mixed martial arts. Fighters Only staff abstained from nomination.
Ben Fowlkes
Ariel Helwani
Dave Meltzer
Jack Slack
Luke Thomas
...
