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The World MMA Awards are awards given to MMA fighters, staff, and organizations based on their performances each year. In this article, you will learn about the award categories, criteria to be nominated, and the history of the World MMA Awards.
1. History of the World MMA Awards
In 2008, the World MMA Awards were presented in Fighters Only magazine. The CEO of Fighters Only magazine and the creator of the World MMA Awards is Rob Hewitt. As of now, 14 award shows have been conducted with 22 award categories. Nominees are selected by the industrial panel and then winners are selected based on votes from the general public.
| List of Awards | Criteria for Nomination |
|---|---|
| Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year | For the leading male mixed martial artist |
| Female Fighter of the Year | For the leading female mixed martial artist |
| Fighter of the Year | For fighters who fought the most exciting fight |
| Knockout of the Year | For the most sensational knockout win |
| Breakthrough Fighter of the Year | For the leading mixed martial artist |
| International Fighter of the Year | For the leading mixed martial artist |
| Submission of the Year | For the most exceptional technical submission |
| Comeback of the Year | For the fighter who completely turned their circumstances around |
| Upset of the Year | For the fighter who overcome a stronger opponent |
| Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year | For the most successful coach |
| Trainer of the Year | For the most famous specialist trainer |
| Leading Man | For the leading industry executive |
| Analyst of the Year | For the TV analyst able to best describe fights |
| Personality of the Year | For the leading MMA personality |
| MMA Journalist of the Year | For the leading MMA journalist |
| Referee of the Year | For the most consistent and efficient referee |
| Ring Card Girl of the Year | For the Favorite card girl among fans |
| Fighting Spirit | For the fighter with upstanding character |
| Best Promotion | For the leading MMA promotion company |
| MMA Media Source of the Year | For the best source of news and reviews on MMA fights |
| Best MMA Programming | For the best MMA radio, podcast, or TV program |
| Gym of the Year | For the gym that produces the best MMA fighters and contributes most to the sport |
2. List of World MMA Awards
2.1. Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year
This award is given to the leading male mixed martial artist who made the most contributions to MMA as a sport inside and outside the Octagon.
| Year | Fighter | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Alexander Volkanovski | Australia |
| 2021 | Kamaru Usman | Nigeria |
| 2019-20 | Israel Adesanya | Nigeria |
| 2018 | Daniel Cormier | Unites States |
| 2017 | Max Holloway | Unites States |
| 2016 | Conor McGregor | Republic of Ireland |
| 2015 | Conor McGregor | Republic of Ireland |
| 2014 | Robbie Lawler | United States |
| 2013 | Chris Weidman | United States |
| 2012 | Jon Jones | Unites States |
| 2011 | Jon Jones | United States |
| 2010 | José Aldo | Brazil |
| 2009 | Georges St-Pierre | Canada |
| 2008 | Anderson Silva | Brazil |
2.2. Female Fighter of the Year
This award is given to the female mixed martial artist who made the most contributions to MMA as a sport both outside and inside the Octagon.
| Year | Fighter | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Valentina Shevchenko | Kyrgyzstan |
| 2021 | Rose Namajunas | United States |
| 2019-20 | Amanda Nunes | Brazil |
| 2018 | Amanda Nunes | Brazil |
| 2017 | Rose Namajunas | United States |
| 2016 | Amanda Nunes | Brazil |
| 2015 | Holly Holm | United States |
| 2014 | Ronda Rousey | United States |
| 2013 | Ronda Rousey | United States |
| 2012 | Ronda Rousey | United States |
| 2011 | Miesha Tate | United States |
| 2010 | Cris Cyborg | Brazil |
| 2009 | Cris Cyborg | Brazil |
| 2008 | Gina Carano | United States |
2.3. Fight of the Year
This award is given to the two fighters who fought in the most exciting, attention-grabbing, and explosive MMA fight in the world.
| Year | Fight | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jiří Procházka Vs. Glover Teixeira | UFC 275 |
| 2021 | Deiveson Figueiredo Vs. Brandon Moreno | UFC 256 |
| 2019-20 | Weili Zhang Vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk | UFC 248 |
| 2018 | Tony Ferguson Vs. Anthony Pettis | UFC 229 |
| 2017 | Eddie Alvarez Vs. Justin Gaethje | UFC 218 |
| 2016 | Cub Swanson Vs. Doo Ho Choi | UFC 206 |
| 2015 | Robbie Lawler Vs. Rory MacDonald | UFC 189 |
| 2014 | José Aldo Vs. Chad Mendes | UFC 179 |
| 2013 | Jon Jones Vs. Alexander Gustafsson | UFC 165 |
| 2012 | Joe Lauzon Vs. Jamie Varner | UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera |
| 2011 | Frankie Edgar Vs. Gray Maynard | UFC 125 |
| 2010 | Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen | UFC 117 |
| 2009 | Diego Sanchez Vs. Clay Guida | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale |
| 2008 | Chuck Liddell Vs. Wanderlei Silva | UFC 79 |
2.4. Knockout of the Year
This award is given to the fighter with the most exciting knockout win.
| Year | Fight | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Michael Chandler Vs. Tony Ferguson | UFC 274 |
| 2021 | Joaquin Buckley Vs. Impa Kasanganay | UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen |
| 2019-20 | Jorge Masvidal Vs. Ben Askren | UFC 239 |
| 2018 | Amanda Nunes Vs. Cris Cyborg | UFC 232 |
| 2017 | Francis Ngannou Vs. Alistair Overeem | UFC 218 |
| 2016 | Michael Page Vs. Evangelista Santos | Bellator 158 |
| 2015 | Holly Holm Vs. Ronda Rousey | UFC 193 |
| 2014 | Mark Hunt Vs. Roy Nelson | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson |
| 2013 | Vitor Belfort Vs. Luke Rockhold | UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold |
| 2012 | Edson Barboza Vs. Terry Etim | UFC 142 |
| 2011 | Anderson Silva Vs. Vitor Belfort | UFC 126 |
| 2010 | Maurício Rua Vs. Lyoto Machida | UFC 113 |
| 2009 | Dan Henderson Vs. Michael Bisping | UFC 100 |
| 2008 | Wanderlei Silva Vs. Keith Jardine | UFC 84 |
2.5. Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
This award is given to the leading mixed martial artist who made the most contributions to MMA as a sport inside and outside the Octagon.
| Year | Fighter | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Paddy Pimblett | United Kingdom |
| 2021 | Brandon Moreno | Mexico |
| 2019-20 | Jorge Masvidal | United States |
| 2018 | Israel Adesanya | Nigeria |
| 2017 | Brian Ortega | United States |
| 2016 | Cody Garbrandt | United States |
| 2015 | Holly Holm | United States |
| 2014 | Kelvin Gastelum | United States |
| 2013 | Travis Browne | United States |
| 2012 | Chris Weidman | United States |
| 2011 | Donald Cerrone | United States |
| 2010 | Jon Jones | United States |
| 2009 | Brock Lesnar | United States |
| 2008 | Demian Maia | Brazil |
2.6. International Fighter of the Year
This award is given to the leading mixed martial artist who made the most contributions to MMA as a sport both inside and outside of the Octagon.
| Year | Fighter | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Alexander Volkanovski | Australia |
| 2021 | Israel Adesanya | Nigeria |
| 2019-20 | Israel Adesanya | Nigeria |
| 2018 | Aung La Nsang | Myanmar |
| 2017 | Robert Whittaker | Australia |
| 2016 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Russia |
| 2015 | Conor McGregor | Republic of Ireland |
| 2014 | Conor McGregor | Republic of Ireland |
| 2013 | Alexander Gustafsson | Sweden |
| 2012 | Michael Bisping | United Kingdom |
| 2011 | Alistair Overeem | Netherlands |
| 2010 | Alistair Overeem | Netherlands |
| 2009 | Gegard Mousasi | Netherlands |
| 2008 | Michael Bisping | United Kingdom |
2.7. Submission of the Year
This award is given to the MMA fighter who demonstrated the most exceptional technical submission.
| Year | Fighter | Opponent | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Charles Oliveira | Dustin Poirier | UFC 269 |
| 2021 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Justin Gaethje | UFC 254 |
| 2019-20 | Demian Maia | Ben Askren | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren |
| 2018 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | Brandon Davis | UFC 228 |
| 2017 | Demetrious Johnson | Ray Borg | UFC 216 |
| 2016 | Nate Diaz | Conor McGregor | UFC 196 |
| 2015 | Ronda Rousey | Cat Zingano | UFC 184 |
| 2014 | Ben Saunders | Chris Heatherly | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos |
| 2013 | Urijah Faber | Ivan Menjivar | UFC 157 |
| 2012 | Frank Mir | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | UFC 140 |
| 2011 | Chan Sung Jung | Leonard Garcia | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis |
| 2010 | Fabrício Werdum | Fedor Emelianenko | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum |
| 2009 | Toby Imada | Jorge Masvidal | Bellator 5 |
| 2008 | Georges St-Pierre | Matt Hughes | UFC 79 |
2.8. Comeback of the Year
This award is given to the MMA fighter who completely turned their circumstances around, whether it be a match or their career.
| Year | Fighter | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Aljamain Sterling | N/A |
| 2021 | Charles Oliveira | UFC 262 |
| 2019-20 | Stipe Miocic | UFC 241 |
| 2018 | Angela Lee | Car accident, ONE FC 71 |
| 2017 | Justin Gaethje | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale |
| 2016 | Miesha Tate | UFC 196 |
| 2015 | Eddie Alvarez | UFC 188 |
| 2014 | Dominick Cruz | N/A |
| 2013 | Travis Browne | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen |
| 2012 | Frank Mir | UFC 140 |
| 2011 | Cheick Kongo | UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry |
2.9. Upset of the Year
This award is given to the fighter who overcame and defeated a stronger opponent.
| Year | Fight | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Julianna Peña Vs. Amanda Nunes | UFC 269 |
| 2021 | Adriano Moraes Vs. Demetrious Johnson | ONE on TNT 1 |
| 2019-20 | Alexander Volkanovski Vs. Max Holloway | UFC 245 |
| 2018 | Amanda Nunes Vs. Cris Cyborg | UFC 232 |
| 2017 | Rose Namajunas Vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk | UFC 217 |
| 2016 | Michael Bisping Vs. Luke Rockhold | UFC 199 |
| 2015 | Holly Holm Vs. Ronda Rousey | UFC 193 |
| 2014 | TJ Dillashaw Vs. Renan Barao | UFC 173 |
2.10. Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year
This award is for the most successful coach who makes the most contributions in top-level MMA.
| Year | Coach |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Eugene Bareman |
| 2021 | Trevor Wittman |
| 2019-20 | Trevor Wittman |
| 2018 | Mike Brown |
| 2017 | Trevor Wittman |
| 2016 | John Kavanagh |
| 2015 | Rafael Cordeiro |
| 2014 | Duane Ludwig |
| 2013 | Duane Ludwig |
| 2012 | Rafael Cordeiro |
| 2011 | Greg Jackson |
| 2010 | Greg Jackson |
| 2009 | Greg Jackson |
2.11. Trainer of the Year
This award is given to the most successful specialist trainer, whether a nutritionist, mind coach, etc.
| Year | Trainer |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Heather Linden |
| 2021 | Phil Daru |
| 2019-20 | Phil Daru |
| 2018 | Nick Curson |
| 2017 | Nick Curson |
| 2016 | Mike Dolce |
| 2015 | Mike Dolce |
| 2014 | Mike Dolce |
| 2013 | Mike Dolce |
2.12. Leading Man
This award is given to a leading industry executive who helped contribute to the worldwide popularity of MMA. A leading industry executive can be a commissioner, CEO, politician, or company president.
| Year | Industry Executive |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Dana White |
| 2021 | Dana White |
| 2019-20 | Dana White |
| 2018 | Dana White |
| 2017 | Dana White |
| 2016 | Dana White |
| 2015 | Dana White |
| 2014 | Dana White |
| 2013 | Dana White |
| 2012 | Dana White |
| 2011 | Dana White |
| 2010 | Dana White |
| 2009 | Dana White |
| 2008 | Dana White |
2.13. Analyst of the Year
This award is given to the TV analyst able to best report and break down a fighter’s style or moments in a fight.
| Year | TV Analyst |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Michael Bisping |
| 2021 | Michael Bisping |
| 2019-20 | Daniel Cormier |
| 2018 | Daniel Cormier |
| 2017 | Dominick Cruz |
| 2016 | Dominick Cruz |
| 2015 | Dominick Cruz |
2.14. Personality of the Year
This award is given to the leading MMA personality who most engages with and contributes to MMA as a sport.
| Year | MMA Personality |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Joe Rogan |
| 2021 | Daniel Cormier |
| 2019-20 | Joe Rogan |
| 2018 | Joe Rogan |
| 2017 | Joe Rogan |
| 2016 | Joe Rogan |
| 2015 | Joe Rogan |
| 2014 | Joe Rogan |
| 2013 | Chael Sonnen |
| 2012 | Joe Rogan |
| 2011 | Joe Rogan |
| 2010 | Joe Rogan |
2.15. MMA Journalist of the Year
This award is given to the leading journalist that provides the most effective coverage on MMA fights.
| Year | MMA Journalist |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2021 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2019-20 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2018 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2017 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2016 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2015 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2014 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2013 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2012 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2011 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2010 | Ariel Helwani |
| 2009 | John Morgan |
2.16. Referee of the Year
This award is given to the most consistent and efficient MMA referee. This award was introduced for the first time.
| Year | Referee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Marc Goddard |
| 2021 | Herb Dean |
| 2019-20 | Herb Dean |
| 2018 | Herb Dean |
| 2017 | John McCarthy |
| 2016 | John McCarthy |
| 2015 | John McCarthy |
| 2014 | Herb Dean |
| 2013 | Herb Dean |
| 2012 | Herb Dean |
| 2011 | Herb Dean |
| 2010 | Herb Dean |
2.17. Ring Card Girl of the Year
This award is given to the ring card girl who got the most votes from fans during the nomination period. This award was introduced for the first time in 2008 and continues till now.
| Year | Ring Card Girl |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Brittney Palmer |
| 2021 | Brittney Palmer |
| 2019-20 | Brittney Palmer |
| 2018 | Jhenny Andrade |
| 2017 | Jhenny Andrade |
| 2016 | Jhenny Andrade |
| 2015 | Arianny Celeste |
| 2014 | Arianny Celeste |
| 2013 | Brittney Palmer |
| 2012 | Brittney Palmer |
| 2011 | Arianny Celeste |
| 2010 | Arianny Celeste |
| 2009 | Arianny Celeste |
| 2008 | Arianny Celeste |
2.18. Fighting Spirit
This award is given to MMA fighters and staff that demonstrate upstanding character through their actions either inside or outside the cage.
| Year | Fighter & Quality |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Kevin Holland (Bravery) |
| 2021 | Brandon Moreno (Perseverance) |
| 2019-20 | Dustin Poirier (Charity) |
2.19. Best Promotion
This award is given to the leading MMA promotion company.
| Year | Promotion Company |
|---|---|
| 2022 | UFC |
| 2021 | UFC |
| 2019-20 | UFC |
| 2018 | UFC |
| 2017 | UFC |
| 2016 | UFC |
| 2015 | UFC |
| 2014 | UFC |
| 2013 | UFC |
| 2012 | UFC |
| 2011 | UFC |
| 2010 | UFC |
| 2009 | UFC |
| 2008 | UFC |
2.20. MMA Media Source of the Year
This award is given to the most reliable source of news and reviews on MMA fights.
| Year | MMA Media Source |
|---|---|
| 2022 | ESPN MMA |
| 2021 | ESPN MMA |
| 2019-20 | ESPN MMA |
| 2018 | MMA Fighting |
| 2017 | MMA Fighting |
| 2016 | MMA Fighting |
| 2015 | MMA Fighting |
| 2014 | MMAjunkie.com |
| 2013 | MMA Fighting |
| 2012 | Sherdog |
| 2011 | MMAjunkie.com |
| 2010 | MMAjunkie.com |
| 2009 | MMAjunkie.com |
| 2008 | MMAjunkie.com |
2.21. Best MMA Programming
This award is given to the leading MMA radio, podcast, or TV program.
| Year | MMA Program |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Morning Kombat |
| 2021 | Morning Kombat |
| 2019-20 | JRE MMA Podcast |
| 2018 | The Ultimate Fighter |
| 2017 | The Ultimate Fighter |
| 2016 | The Ultimate Fighter |
| 2015 | UFC Embedded |
2.22. Gym of the Year
This award is given to the gym that produces the best MMA students and contributes to the development of MMA as a sport. The gym must also be performing well inside and outside the Octagon.
| Year | Gym |
|---|---|
| 2022 | City Kickboxing |
| 2021 | American Top Team |
| 2019-20 | American Top Team |
| 2018 | American Top Team |
| 2017 | American Top Team |
| 2016 | American Top Team |
| 2015 | Jackson-Wink MMA Academy |
| 2014 | Team Alpha Male |
| 2013 | Team Alpha Male |
| 2012 | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu |
| 2011 | Black House |
| 2010 | Wand Fight Team |
| 2009 | Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting |
3. 15th World MMA Award 2023
The nomination period for the 15th World MMA Awards was from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Voting will be open to fans during August 2023. The final date for the 15th World MMA Awards will be announced after voting is complete.
4. FAQs
How can someone watch the World MMA Award?
Answer: The World MMA Awards can be seen on ESPN, Sherdog, MMAjunkie.com, and MMA Fighting.
When was the 2022 World MMA Awards held?
Answer: The World MMA Awards was conducted on December 8, 2022, in the SAHARA Las Vegas.
How are nominees and winners selected for the World MMA Awards?
Answer: A panel of MMA industry insiders selects the nominees listed on the World MMA Awards official website. The winners are selected according to the number of votes submitted by fans.
5. Conclusion
The World MMA Awards show appreciation for MMA fighters, coaches, gyms, staff, and organizations for their support of MMA as a global sport.
Photo Credit: @espn
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