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. It is the most prestigious award event in the world of MMA.On July 8th 2026, the 17th annual World MMA Awards will be streamed exclusively on Rumble.
Active award categories Fighters YearThe Charles 'Mask' LewisFighter of the YearFemaleFighter of the YearBreakthroughFighter of the YearInternationalFighter of the Year2024-25 Merab Dvalishvili Kayla Harrison Joshua Van Paddy Pimblett2023-24 Alex Pereira Zhang Weili Tom Aspinall Dricus du Plessis Leon Edwards Alexa Grasso Alex Pereira Leon Edwards2021-22 Paddy Pimblett Alexander Volkanovski2020-21 Kamaru Usman Rose Namajunas Israel Adesanya2019-20 Israel Adesanya Amanda Nunes Jorge Masvidal Israel Adesanya2018 Daniel Cormier Amanda Nunes Israel Adesanya Aung La Nsang2017 Max Holloway Rose Namajunas Brian Ortega Robert Whittaker2016 Conor McGregor Amanda Nunes Cody Garbrandt2015 Conor McGregor Holly Holm Holly Holm Conor McGregor2014 Robbie Lawler Ronda Rousey Kelvin Gastelum Conor McGregor2013 Chris Weidman Ronda Rousey Travis Browne Alexander Gustafsson2012 Jon Jones Ronda Rousey Chris Weidman Michael Bisping2011 Jon Jones Miesha Tate Donald Cerrone Alistair Overeem2010 José Aldo Cris Cyborg Jon Jones Alistair Overeem2009 Georges St-Pierre Cris Cyborg Brock Lesnar Gegard Mousasi2008 Anderson Silva Gina Carano Demian Maia Michael Bisping
From 2010, Fighter of the Year was awarded as The Charles 'Mask' Lewis Fighter of the Year in commemoration of Tapout co-founder Charles Lewis Jr. From 2010, European Fighter of the Year was awarded as International Fighter of the Year, to the leading MMA fighter from outside of the Americas.
Fight of the Year YearWinnerDefeatedMethod, RoundEvent2024-25 Joshua Van Brandon RoyvalUD, 3UFC 3172023-24 Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO, 5UFC 300 2022-23 Islam Makhachev Alexander VolkanovskiUD, 5UFC 2842021-22 Jiří Procházka Glover TeixeiraSub, 5UFC 2752020-21 Deiveson Figueiredo Brandon MorenoM Draw, 5UFC 2562019-20 Weili Zhang Joanna JędrzejczykSD, 5UFC 2482018 Tony Ferguson Anthony PettisTKO, 2UFC 2292017 Eddie Alvarez Justin GaethjeKO, 3UFC 2182016 Cub Swanson Doo Ho ChoiUD, 3UFC 2062015 Robbie Lawler Rory MacDonaldTKO, 5UFC 1892014 José Aldo Chad MendesUD, 5UFC 1792013 Jon Jones Alexander GustafssonUD, 5UFC 1652012 Joe Lauzon Jamie VarnerSub, 3UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera2011 Frankie Edgar Gray MaynardS Draw, 5UFC 1252010 Anderson Silva Chael SonnenSub, 5UFC 1172009 Diego Sanchez Clay GuidaSD, 3The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale2008 Chuck Liddell Wanderlei SilvaUD, 3UFC 79
Knockout of the Year YearWinnerKnocked outMethod, RoundEvent2024-25 Maurício Ruffy King Green KO, 1UFC 313 2023-24 Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO, 5UFC 300 2022-23 Leon Edwards Kamaru UsmanKO, 5UFC 2782021-22 Michael Chandler Tony FergusonKO, 2UFC 2742020-21 Joaquin Buckley Impa KasanganayKO, 2UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen2019-20 Jorge Masvidal Ben AskrenKO, 1UFC 2392018 Amanda Nunes Cris CyborgKO, 1UFC 2322017 Francis Ngannou Alistair OvereemKO, 1UFC 2182016 Michael Page Evangelista SantosKO, 2Bellator 1582015 Holly Holm Ronda RouseyKO, 2UFC 1932014 Mark Hunt Roy Nelson KO, 2UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson2013 Vitor Belfort Luke RockholdKO, 1UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold2012 Edson Barboza Terry EtimKO, 3UFC 1422011 Anderson Silva Vitor Belfort KO, 1UFC 1262010 Maurício Rua Lyoto MachidaKO, 1UFC 1132009 Dan Henderson Michael BispingKO, 2UFC 1002008 Wanderlei Silva Keith JardineKO, 1UFC 84
Submission of the Year YearWinnerSubmittedMethod, RoundEvent2024-25 Jean Silva Bryce Mitchell Ninja choke, 2UFC 314 2023-24 Diego Lopes Gavin TuckerArmbar, 1UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font2022-23 Alexa Grasso Valentina ShevchenkoFace crank, 4UFC 2852021-22 Charles Oliveira Dustin PoirierRear-naked choke, 3UFC 2692020-21 Khabib Nurmagomedov Justin GaethjeTriangle choke, 2UFC 2542019-20 Demian Maia Ben AskrenRear-naked choke, 3UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren2018 Zabit Magomedsharipov Brandon DavisSuloev stretch, 2UFC 2282017 Demetrious Johnson Ray BorgArmbar, 5UFC 2162016 Nate Diaz Conor McGregorRear-naked choke, 2UFC 1962015 Ronda Rousey Cat ZinganoStraight armbar, 1UFC 1842014 Ben Saunders Chris HeatherlyOmoplata, 1UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos2013 Urijah Faber Ivan MenjivarRear-naked choke, 1UFC 1572012 Frank Mir Antônio Rodrigo NogueiraKimura, 1UFC 1402011 Chan Sung Jung Leonard GarciaTwister, 2UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis2010 Fabrício Werdum Fedor EmelianenkoTriangle armbar, 1Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum2009 Toby Imada Jorge MasvidalInverted triangle choke, 3Bellator 52008 Georges St-Pierre Matt HughesArmbar, 2UFC 79
Comeback of the Year YearWinnervs.Method, RoundEvent2024-25 Jared Cannonier Gregory Rodrigues TKO, 4UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues 2023-24 Tom Aspinall"Career"2022-23 Leon Edwards Kamaru UsmanKO, 5UFC 2782021-22 Aljamain Sterling"Ridicule and Injury"2020-21 Charles Oliveira Michael ChandlerTKO, 2UFC 2622019-20 Stipe Miocic Daniel CormierTKO, 4UFC 2412018 Angela Lee Mei YamaguchiUD, 5Car accident, ONE FC 712017 Justin Gaethje Michael JohnsonTKO, 2The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale2016 Miesha Tate Holly HolmSub, 5UFC 1962015 Eddie Alvarez Gilbert MelendezSD, 3UFC 1882014 Dominick Cruz"Career"2013 Travis Browne Alistair OvereemKO, 1UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen2012 Frank Mir Antônio Rodrigo NogueiraSub, 1UFC 1402011 Cheick Kongo Pat BarryKO, 1UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry
Upset of the Year YearWinnerDefeatedMethod, RoundEvent2024-25 Reinier de Ridder Bo Nickal TKO, 2UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo 2023-24 Sean Strickland Israel AdesanyaUD, 5UFC 2932022-23 Alexa Grasso Valentina ShevchenkoSub, 4UFC 2852021-22 Julianna Peña Amanda NunesSub, 2UFC 2692020-21 Adriano Moraes Demetrious JohnsonKO, 2ONE on TNT 12019-20 Alexander Volkanovski Max HollowayUD, 5UFC 2452018 Amanda Nunes Cris CyborgKO, 1UFC 2322017 Rose Namajunas Joanna JędrzejczykTKO, 1UFC 2172016 Michael Bisping Luke RockholdKO, 1UFC 1992015 Holly Holm Ronda RouseyKO, 2UFC 1932014 TJ Dillashaw Renan BaraoTKO, 5UFC 173
Training, In-ring YearThe Shawn TompkinsCoach of the YearGym of the YearTrainer of the YearReferee of the Year Ring-card Girl of the Year2024-25 John Wood Syndicate MMA Everton Oliveira Marc Goddard Brookliyn Wren2023-24 Plinio Cruz The Fighting Nerds Ian Larios Herb Dean Luciana Andrade2022-23 Mike Brown American Top Team Dr. Heather Linden Herb Dean Brittney Palmer2021-22 Eugene Bareman City Kickboxing Dr. Heather Linden Marc Goddard Brittney Palmer2020-21 Trevor Wittman American Top Team Phil Daru Herb Dean Brittney Palmer2019-20 Trevor Wittman American Top Team Phil Daru Herb Dean Brittney Palmer2018 Mike Brown American Top Team Nick Curson Herb Dean Jhenny Andrade2017 Trevor Wittman American Top Team Nick Curson John McCarthy Jhenny Andrade2016 John Kavanagh American Top Team Mike Dolce John McCarthy Jhenny Andrade2015 Rafael Cordeiro Jackson-Wink MMA Academy Mike Dolce John McCarthy Arianny Celeste2014 Duane Ludwig Team Alpha Male Mike Dolce Herb Dean Arianny Celeste2013 Duane Ludwig Team Alpha Male Mike Dolce Herb Dean Brittney Palmer2012 Rafael Cordeiro Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Herb Dean Brittney Palmer2011 Greg Jackson Black House Herb Dean Arianny Celeste2010 Greg Jackson Wand Fight Team Herb Dean Arianny Celeste2009 Greg Jackson Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting Arianny Celeste2008 Arianny Celeste
From 2012, Coach of the Year was awarded as The Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year in commemoration of trainer Shawn Tompkins.
Promotion YearLeading ManPersonality of the YearAnalyst of the YearBest Promotion2024-25 Dana White Nina-Marie Danielle Jon AnikUFC2023-24 Dana White Nina-Marie Danielle Michael BispingUFC2022-23 Dana White Joe Rogan Michael BispingUFC2021-22 Dana White Joe Rogan Michael BispingUFC2020-21 Dana White Daniel Cormier Michael BispingUFC2019-20 Dana White Joe Rogan Daniel CormierUFC2018 Dana White Joe Rogan Daniel CormierUFC2017 Dana White Joe Rogan Dominick CruzUFC2016 Dana White Joe Rogan Dominick CruzUFC2015 Dana White Joe Rogan Dominick CruzUFC2014 Dana White Joe RoganUFC2013 Dana White Chael SonnenUFC2012 Dana White Joe RoganUFC2011 Dana White Joe RoganUFC2010 Dana White Joe RoganUFC2009 Dana WhiteUFC2008 Dana WhiteUFC
Media YearMedia Source of the YearJournalist of the YearBest MMA Programming2024-25MMAjunkie.com Ariel HelwaniDana White's Contender Series2023-24ESPN MMA Ariel HelwaniDana White's Contender Series2022-23ESPN MMA Ariel HelwaniDana White's Contender Series2021-22ESPN MMA Ariel HelwaniMorning Kombat2020-21ESPN MMA Ariel HelwaniMorning Kombat2019-20ESPN MMA Ariel HelwaniJRE MMA Podcast2018MMA Fighting Ariel HelwaniThe Ultimate Fighter2017MMA Fighting Ariel HelwaniThe Ultimate Fighter2016MMA Fighting Ariel HelwaniThe Ultimate Fighter2015MMA Fighting Ariel HelwaniUFC Embedded2014MMAjunkie.com Ariel Helwani2013MMA Fighting Ariel Helwani2012Sherdog Ariel Helwani2011MMAjunkie.com Ariel Helwani2010MMAjunkie.com Ariel Helwani2009MMAjunkie.com John Morgan2008MMAjunkie.com
From 2010, Best Media Coverage was awarded as Media Source of the Year.
Special Achievement YearLifetime Achievement AwardFighting Spirit of the Year2024-25 Duke Roufus Ben Askren (Inspiration - documenting his fight against life-threatening illness and survived severe lung failure)2023-24 Mark Coleman Mark Coleman (Bravery - fearlessly rescuing family and loved ones from a burning building) 2022-23 Ken Shamrock Themba Gorimbo (Charity – building a water pump in Zimbabwe and putting others ahead of himself) 2021-22 Kirik Jenness Kevin Holland (Bravery - in and out of the cage, helping his community in the face of danger on several occasions)2020-21 Matt Hughes Brandon Moreno (Perseverance - from being cut, to fighting back and becoming the first Mexican UFC champion)2019-20 Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Dustin Poirier (Charity - Good Fight Foundation)2018 Wanderlei Silva2017 John McCarthy2016 Tito Ortiz2015 Bruce Buffer2014 Burt Watson2013 Royce Gracie2012 Leon Tabbs2011 Shawn Tompkins2010 Randy Couture2009 Charles Lewis, Jr.2008 John McCarthy
Defunct award categories
MMA Clothing & Equipment Brand of the Year 2015 Bad Boy 2016 Venum 2017 Reebok 2018 Reebok Best MMA Brand 2008 Ultimate Fighting Championship 2009 TapouT
Most Memorable Ring Entrance 2010 Jason Miller 2011 Jason Miller
Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand Best Overall Clothing. 2008 TapouT Best MMA Clothing. 2009 TapouT Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand. 2010 TapouT 2011 TapouT 2012 Bad Boy 2013 Bad Boy 2014 Bad Boy
Best Technical Clothing Brand Best MMA Shorts. 2008 Sprawl 2009 TapouT Best Technical Clothing Brand. 2010 Bad Boy 2011 Bad Boy 2012 Clinch Gear 2013 Venum 2014 Venum
Best Technical Equipment Best MMA Gloves. 2008 Fairtex 2009 UFC / Century Best Technical Equipment. 2010 Everlast 2011 Everlast 2012 Pretorian 2013 Bad Boy 2014 Everlast
References
External links
2009 Winners 2010 Winners 2011 Winners 2012 Winners 2013 Winners 2014 Winners 2015 Winners 2016 Winners 2017 Winners) 2018 Winners 2019 Winners