2018 was a year that symbolized the changing of an era in the MMA game. It had its slow moments, but 2018 hosted some of the most historic fights in UFC history. We need to stop and realize that we actually witnessed Conor vs. Khabib this year. We saw Jon Jones come back after years of controversy and knock out Alexander Gustafsson. We saw the first woman in UFC history hold two belts in two different weight classes. We saw Daniel Cormier defend both of his titles this year for Christ’s sake! Looking back on it, if there is one word I can use to describe 2018, it would be historic. The MMA game has officially broken out into the mainstream.
Fighter of the Year: Daniel Cormier
I know I might get some hate for this one, but I honestly don’t deserve it. Daniel Cormier finished Stipe Miocic to become the heavyweight champion, then holding two belts in two different weight classes. He then went on to defeat Derrick Lewis, becoming the first fighter to defend two belts in two different weight classes. Now there are still some unanswered questions about his rivalry with Jon Jones. But that’s Jon Jones. Daniel Cormier is no doubt the second best fighter in the UFC. His wrestling pedigree is nearly unmatched. His IQ is off the charts. He’s more agile than anyone in that heavyweight division and he for sure has a couple more fights in him (I would love to see him fight Cain Velasquez). He’s my 2018 fighter of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCaLh4OhEs0Comeback Fighter of the Year: Jon Jones
After years of controversy, Jon Jones came back and beat Alexander Gustafsson, the man who gave Jones the toughest test of his career, in dominating fashion. Steroid allegations on top of steroid allegations have put an asterisk on this man’s career. His questionable choices and reckless actions have put his career in jeopardy. Having his suspension lifted and putting out a statement win earns him the comeback fighter of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRqeirvAEgFemale Fighter of the Year: Amanda Nuñes
If we look at every woman in history, I don’t think one of them have the resume Amanda Nuñes has. This year, Nuñes knocked out Cris Cyborg and became the first woman to hold two different belts in two different weight classes. Cyborg was a woman who many considered to be the greatest female fighter of all time. Nuñes retired Ronda Rousey, retired Miesha Tate, knocked out Cris Cyborg, and beat Valentina Shevchenko. That is absolutely insane. We just have to give this woman female fighter of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VAV-aKJ0UABreakout Fighter of the Year: Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya might just be your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. This man talks the talk and walks the walk. As one of the most promising prospects in the UFC, Adesanya has made a name for himself this year, putting out highlight reel after highlight reel. This man has had 4 wins in this calendar year, giving many critics reason to think that he is a future champion. We still have some unanswered questions about what he can do when he get put on his back, but we’ll answer those questions when we get there. Expect big things from this guy in 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjZTsPeKD_QKO of the Year: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Sean Strickland via spinning back kick
What can I say? I’m a sucker for spinning back kicks (thank you Renan Barao). Dos santos whipped that kick as fast he could have. Strickland just had no way of seeing that and got caught. There were many great knockouts this year but this one had to be my favorite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsFKSGoqShQSubmission of the Year: Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Brandon Davis via suloev stretch
This submission was one of the craziest submissions I have ever seen in my life. Aljamain Sterling pulled off the same submission that night so I feel bad for not including him in this, but Zabit is just that man right now. I mean, he is one of the most talented fighters on the UFC roster. This guy has a will to fight like no other, and has as many tools in his tool kit as any fighter in the UFC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DNPbMmhhvkFight of the Year: Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero 2
As if their first fight wasn’t good enough, their second fight was even better. Yoel Romero possesses a large physical advantage over Whittaker. Whittaker took a large amount of pain and still pulled it off. For Whittaker, coming from the welterweight division earlier on in his career, to defeat Romero twice, solidifies him as the best middleweight on the planet. If you haven’t jumped aboard the Whittaker hype train, you better get on before it’s too late. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqY3HjkPjTMGym of the Year: AKA
The American Kickboxing Academy has easily proven to be the best gym in mixed martial arts in 2018. There’s a plethora of world class gyms, but I only have two names I want to say before we start talking about that: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier. Have a good day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liio8KJjUPgEvent of the Year: UFC 229
This was easily the most anticipated event in UFC history. The biggest draw in the history of the sport, Conor McGregor, lost to the best wrestler in the UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov. This fight really made the whole card. Two of the best and biggest fighters in the world in the middle of their primes coming together proved to be one of the biggest events in combat sports history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htmJE5LTPIYComments
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