Fighter of the Year
Conor McGregor
There can really be no doubt: 2015 belonged to Conor McGregor. Beginning the year with a headline bout against Dennis Siver, a fight some had predicted he would actually lose, the Irish phenom went on win the interim featherweight title before completing his incredible ascent with a stunning 13-second stoppage of Jose Aldo to become undisputed champion. Repeatedly doubted by many (including myself!), McGregor continued to prove himself as a legitimate star by overcoming some of the division’s toughest fighters. It wasn’t just that he did it, it was the way he did it. Conor McGregor won’t just be a main event superstar in 2016; he’ll be the whole damn show.
Runner up: Rafael dos Anjos
Fight of the Year
Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 - UFC 189
It was going to take a truly special fight to stand out amongst the quality battles we saw in 2015, and this highly anticipated sequel more than deserves that tag. Meeting again after a closely fought first encounter, Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald waged bloody war for almost the entire 25-minute duration and came agonisingly close to overshadowing McGregor’s heroics in the main event. Both men brought their best on the night, and the image of the two battle-damaged warriors staring each other down between the fourth and final rounds now stands as one of the greatest examples of dogged determination ever seen inside the Octagon.
Unfortunately only one man could prevail, and Lawler soon emerged victorious, securing his first successful title defense after a fatal final straight crumbled MacDonald’s already devastated nose. It doesn’t matter though; both men were winners in the eyes of the fans.
Runner up: Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson - UFC 192
Knockout of the Year
Thiago Santos - Head kick vs. Steve Bossé - UFC Fight Night 70
Head kick knockouts usually rank among the most brutal finishes in MMA, and this was no exception. Finally making his debut with the UFC a brief retirement and the collapse of a number of potential fights, former Ice Hockey hardman Steve Bosse was hoping to make a quick impression, but unfortunately for him his opponent had the same idea. Less than halfway through the first minute of the very first round Thiago Santos turned the Canadian’s dream debut into a nightmare with a searing head kick that instantly shut off the lights. Bosse stiffened and hit the canvas in such a way not seen since Edson Barboza turned poor Terry Etim into a statue. As brutal as it was quick.
Runner up: Holly Holm - Head kick vs. Ronda Rousey - UFC 193
Submission of the Year:
Ronda Rousey - Straight armbar vs. Cat Zingano - UFC 184
It might be hard to remember for some, but there was a time when Ronda Rousey was invincible. Defending her title for the fifth time against Cat Zingano, a challenger considered by many to be her toughest test, not even Rousey could have predicted the manner in which she retained her belt. Taking advantage of Zingano’s sudden, and fairly ill-advised lunge, Rousey reversed position on the ground and ensnared her challenger’s arm in a straight lock. Zingano had nowhere to go and was almost instantly forced to surrender with just 14 seconds on the clock. Rousey had become famous for her feared armbars, but the way she did it here against such a ferocious attack was just extraordinary.
Runner up: Luke Rockhold - Rear naked choke vs. Lyoto Machida - UFC on Fox 15
Event of the Year
UFC 189
Nothing was going to stop UFC 189 from being one of the greatest nights in the promotion’s history, not even the agonisingly late withdrawal of featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Five main card battles featuring ten of the UFC’s elite all resulted in amazing, match of the year worthy fights. The co-main event, the aforementioned match of the year war between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald was a masterpiece, one of the greatest welterweight title fight of all time, while the actual main event featured the final coming out party for the also previously mentioned Conor McGregor. 2015 was a year of amazing cards, but it’ll be a long, long time before we witness an event as spectacular as this.
Runner up: UFC 187
Newcomer of the Year
Holly Holm
While it took her a little longer than expected, Holly Holm joined the ranks of the UFC’s fighting elite...but in a manner no-one could have foreseen. Making her Octagon debut in February with a less-than-impressive split decision win over Raquel Pennington, Holm secured her title shot with another judge's verdict over Marion Reneau. Her final fight of the year would see her capture the attention of the fighting world however as she knocked out Ronda Rousey in a stunning upset to capture the previously unbeaten star’s bantamweight title. It wasn’t just a flash stoppage either; Holm bettered the former champion for the entire first round before ending the fight early in the second.
Few defeat champions in a manner like Holm did, and even fewer did it in their first year on the world’s biggest stage. 2015 has been amazing for the new bantamweight champion.
Runner up: Joseph Duffy
Most Overrated
Paige VanZant
One day Paige VanZant might be a champion in the UFC, but it won’t be for a long, long time. Entering the promotion with a promising young professional record and a fight style best described as ‘scrappy’, VanZant aligned herself with Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male, with many labelling her as the next Ronda Rousey of the sport. The reality however is that VanZant has a miles to go before she can even be considered near the former bantamweight champion’s level, and a one-sided beatdown at the hands of fellow young strawweight Rose Namajunas in December exposed that unfortunate truth.
Runner up: Sage Northcutt
Worst Fight
Dan Kelly vs. Patrick Walsh - UFC Fight Night 60
2015 saw a large number of epic fights, but like any other year it also saw its fair share of stinkers. Leading the pack by quite some distance is this tragedy: an unforgettably crap bout between 40-year old Australian judoka Dan Kelly, and the undertrained and woefully overweight Patrick Walsh. For the entire duration of their 15 minute encounter the two stood toe to toe...and really didn’t do a lot. Kelly, despite his considerable advantage on the ground seemed unwilling to take the fight there, while Walsh pranced around the Octagon as if he were the legendary Anderson Silva himself. Three rounds of fighting I’ll never, ever put myself through again.
Runner up: Francimar Barroso vs. Ryan Jimmo - UFC Fight Night 67
Robbery of the Year
Leandro Silva vs. Drew Dober - UFC Fight Night 62
Referee mistakes aren’t uncommon in MMA, but this howler might be the worst ever committed inside the cage. Capitalising on a mistake from Drew Dober, Leandro Silva took his opponent’s back and soon transitioned to a guillotine choke. Dober, while not exactly in the greatest spot, didn’t tap and was actually defending the submission, but referee Eduardo Herdy somehow assumed that Dober was unconscious and waved the bout off in Silva’s favour. Luckily the result was overturned, but such a mistake cannot be accepted at the top level of the sport. It’s okay though; Herdy hasn’t been a frequent Octagon official since, much to the relief of fighters everywhere I’m sure.
Runner up: Beneil Dariush vs. Michael Johnson - UFC Fight Night 73
Villain of the Year
Reebok
Just over a year ago the idea of a UFC/Reebok uniform seemed like a great idea for a thriving promotion seeking mainstream acceptance. Unfortunately the end result has been a bland, overly expensive and poorly executed apparel brand that has deprived fighters of much-needed income. Promising customisation, affordability and attention to detail, Reebok have failed miserably on all counts so far, and have actually gone one further by damaging their reputation along with the UFC’s by repeatedly committing horrendous merchandising mistakes. Who could forget the legend that is Giblert Melendez?
The idea of a uniform for the UFC is still a good idea, but not in this guise. Hopefully the time will come where Reebok will either realise the real value of the UFC, or their contract will expire and a new, hopefully more respectful manufacturer will come in and deliver what fans and fighters deserve.
What do you think of this year’s winners (and losers)? Leave your picks and suggestions in the comments section below!
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