Fight fans around the world are casting their votes for the 10th Annual World MMA Awards as the list of Award nominees are now live on the official website www.WorldMMAAwards.com. This year’s black-tie event takes place Tuesday, July 3, 2018 live from the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort.
In true MMA tradition, Fighters Only Magazine gives fans the power to determine who takes home a World MMA Award. Fans can cast their votes through their mobile devices, smart phones or PCs at www.WorldMMAAwards.com. Voting will remain live for the next four weeks, giving everyone the chance to vote for their favorite fighters, fight organizations, Ring Girls, MMA personalities and more.
Tickets for the Fighters Only 10th Annual World MMA Awards are on sale now at the Pearl Concert Theater box office, any Station Casinos Rewards Center or online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at $55 plus applicable fees.
Fighters Only designates a panel of MMA industry experts to select the award nominees. The most anticipated awards include ‘Fighter of the Year’, ‘Knockout of the Year’ and ‘Upset of the Year.’
Sponsored in part by Grunt Style Clothing, Lactigo, Wounded Warrior and Bakblade, The Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards honor the fan’s choice for the best athletes, personalities and organizations of the sport. Each year, the stars of MMA walk the red carpet along with many famous names and faces in music, television and film.
Following are the Nominees for the Fighters Only 10th Annual World MMA Awards:
Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading male mixed martial artist for his contribution to the sport both inside and outside the ring or Octagon.
- RYAN BADER
- RAFAEL DOS ANJOS
- ROBERT WHITTAKER
- DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON
- MAX HOLLOWAY
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 octagon.
- JULIA BUDD
- ANGELA LEE
- ILIMA-LEI MACFARLANE
- CRIS CYBORG
- ROSE NAMAJUNAS
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Awarded to the leading mixed martial artist following his/her rapid impact on the top level of the sport in the last 12 months.
- MARTIN NGUYEN
- VOLKAN OEZDEMIR
- BRIAN ORTEGA
- DARREN TILL
- FRANCIS NGANNOU
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.
- VOLKAN OEZDEMIR
- MARTIN NGUYEN
- DARREN TILL
- ROBERT WHITTAKER
- KAMARU USMAN
Fight of the Year
Awarded to the two fighters involved in the most exciting fight staged on the planet.
- EDDIE ALVAREZ VS. DUSTIN POIRIER (UFC 211)
- ROBERT WHITTAKER VS. YOEL ROMERO (UFC 213)
- JUSTIN GAETHJE VS. MICHAEL JOHNSON (The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale)
- AUNG LA N SANG VS. VITALY BIGDASH (ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: LIGHT OF A NATION)
- EDDIE ALVAREZ VS. JUSTIN GAETHJE (UFC 218)
Knockout of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most sensational knockout victory.
- MATT BROWN VS. DIEGO SANCHEZ (UFC FIGHT NIGHT 120)
- EDSON BARBOZA VS. BENEIL DARIUSH (UFC FIGHT NIGHT 106)
- PAUL DALEY VS. BRENNAN WARD (BELLATOR 170)
- FRANCIS NGANNOU VS ALISTAIR OVEREEM (UFC 218)
- AARON PICO VS JUSTIN LINN (BELLATOR 183)
Submission of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who scores the most technical and exceptional submission victory.
- DIEGO BRANDAO VS. MURAD MACHAEV (FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL 58)
- BRETT JOHNS VS. JOE SOTO (The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale)
- ALI BAGOV VS. BUBBA JUNKINS (ACB 54)
- BRIAN ORTEGA VS. CUB SWANSON (UFC FIGHT NIGHT 123)
- DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON VS. RAY BORG (UFC 216)
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.
- JUSTIN GAETHJE VS. MICHAEL JOHNSON (TUF 25 FINALE)
- URIAH HALL VS. KRYZTOV JOTKO (UFC FIGHT NIGHT 116)
- NATANIEL WOOD VS. JOSH REED (CAGE WARRIORS 86)
- DARREN ELKINS VS. MIRSAD BEKTIC (UFC 209)
- DERRICK LEWIS VS. TRAVIS BROWNE (UFC FIGHT NIGHT 105)
Upset of the Year
Awarded to the fighter who has overcome overwhelming odds to claim victory against a more favored athlete.
- MARTIN NGUYEN VS. MARAT GAFUROV (ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: QUEST FOR GREATNESS)
- DARREN ELKINS VS. MIRSAD BEKTIC (UFC 209)
- BRENT PRIMUS VS. MICHAEL CHANDLER (BELLATOR 180)
- ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK (UFC 217)
- ZACH FREEMAN VS. AARON PICO (BELLATOR 180)
Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year
Awarded to the most successful coach working in top-level mixed martial arts.
- DUKE ROUFUS
- TREVOR WITTMAN
- FIRAS ZAHABI
- MATT HUME
- DUANE LUDWIG
Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the most successful specialist trainer (e.g. S&C, nutritionist, mind coach) operating in mixed martial arts.
- SAM CALAVITTA (STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING)
- NICK CURSON (STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING)
- PHIL DARU (STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING)
- TYLER MINTON (NUTRITION)
- MICHELLE INGELS (NUTRITION)
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.
- ROUFUSPORT
- GRACIE TECHNICS
- KINGS MMA
- ATT
- TRISTAR
Referee of the Year
Awarded to the most efficient and consistent official in mixed martial arts.
- JASON HERZOG
- MIKE BELTRAN
- HERB DEAN
- MARC GODDARD
- JOHN MCCARTHY
Ringcard Girl of the Year
Awarded to the fans favorite Octagon girl working in MMA.
- ANGELICA ANDERSON
- CARLY BAKER
- JHENNY ANDRADE
- ARIANNY CELESTE
- MERCEDES TERRELL
Leading Man
Awarded to the leading industry executive, whether it be a commissioner, a company president, an influential CEO or even a politician. Presented to the movers and shakers, hirers and firers that make planet MMA turn successfully.
- MARTIN LEWANDOWSKI
- CHATRI SITYODTONG
- ED SOARES
- DANA WHITE
- SCOTT COKER
Best Promotion
Awarded to the leading promotional business in mixed martial arts.
- LFA
- ONE
- KSW
- UFC
- BELLATOR
Personality of the Year
Awarded to a leading MMA personality whose engaging persona is a credit to the sport of mixed martial arts.
- DANIEL CORMIER
- MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO
- CHAEL SONNEN
- JON ANIK
- JOE ROGAN
Analyst of the Year
Awarded to a leading TV analyst whose ability to breakdown and report on a fight or style is second to none.
- PAUL FELDER
- JIMMY SMITH
- DOMINICK CRUZ
- PAT MILETICH
- BRIAN STANN
Best MMA Programming
Awarded to the leading TV, radio or podcast color programming centered around mixed martial arts.
- MMA JUNKIE RADIO
- THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
- SHERDOG ROUNDTABLE
- THE MMA HOUR
- UFC EMBEDDED
MMA Media Source of the Year
Awarded to the leading source of breaking news, fight reviews and in-depth features. Fighters Only is abstaining from nomination.
- FLOCOMBAT
- BLOODY ELBOW
- SHERDOG
- MMA JUNKIE
- MMA FIGHTING
MMA Journalist of the Year
Awarded to the leading journalist operating in the field of mixed martial arts. Fighters Only staff are abstained from nomination.
- KARIM ZIDAN
- BRETT OKAMOTO
- CHUCK MINDENHALL
- JOHN MORGAN
- ARIEL HELWANI
MMA Clothing & Equipment Brand of the Year
Awarded to the company who has produced the best clothing and equipment used by today’s MMA athletes and coaches.
- REEBOK
- RVCA
- BAD BOY
- VENUM
- HAYABUSA
