Tag: Awards

Robbery Of The Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

Robbery of the YearWhile there were plenty of options available for Robbery of the Year in 2023, the LowKick MMA staff largely…

Robbery of the Year

While there were plenty of options available for Robbery of the Year in 2023, the LowKick MMA staff largely landed on one especially egregious decision as its favorite. Or in this case, least favorite.

Earning five nominations and running away with the vote was the June 3 main event clash between former interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France and streaking division standout Amir Albazi.

Robbery of the Year – Amir Albazi vs. Kai Kara-France – UFC Fight Night: Kara-France vs. Albazi – (5 votes)

Amir Albazi scored the biggest win of his career, but in the eyes of many, including UFC CEO Dana White, it left a lot of unanswered questions.

Throughout their five-round affair, neither fighter could assert themselves for long stretches. However, Kara-France noticeably upped his urgency as time went on, delivering a strong finish that convinced several of his peers that he had won the fight. Instead, Albazi was handed the victory via split decision, causing an uproar from fans and fighters alike.

Kara-Frances’ teammate, Israel Adesanya, immediately called for firing the two judges who favored Albazi along with offering some more colorful commentary in response to the blatant robbery.

Honorable Mentions:

Joselyn Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen – (2 votes)

Kicking off the UFC’s return to Kansas City, Joselyn Edwards escaped with a much-maligned split decision after giving up seven and a half minutes of control time to Lucie Pudilova. Scoring on two of her seven takedown attempts, Pudilova lit up Edwards on the ground with a series of ground-and-pound strikes. However, Edwards held the advantage in significant strikes, landing 56 compared to Pudilova’s 39.

Media scores from 15 MMA news outlets favored Pudilova with them primarily pointing to her control time that spanned 50% of the contest. In the end, Edwards walked away with a split decision, giving us our first big robbery of 2023.

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – UFC 284 – (1 vote)

This is one nomination for Robbery of the Year that had fight fans understandably split. After dominating the featherweight division for years, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up to lightweight for an opportunity to challenge reigning 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev.

Earning Fight of the Year honors, Makhachev vs. Volkanovski delivered a brilliant back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ leave with his title intact, though it didn’t come without a bit of controversy. Makhachev clearly controlled the ground game, scoring four of nine takedowns with more than seven and a half minutes of control time.

But it was Volkanovski who would go on to land 164 total strikes compared to Makhachev’s 95. That discrepancy was more than enough for fans to see it in favor of Volkanovski, but all three judges disagreed, favoring Makhachev via unanimous decision.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru usman – UFC 294 – (1 vote)

Former welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman stepped into UFC 294 on 11 days’ notice to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in the evening’s co-main event. Despite the short-notice nature of the contest and the fact that Usman was moving up a weight class, Chimaev had a surprisingly difficult time while tussling with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’

After 15 minutes, judge David Lethaby scored the bout a 28-28 draw while judges Derek Clearly and Vito Paolillo scored it in favor of Chimaev, resulting in a majority decision. Though not everyone agreed with the decision, Chimaev landed nearly twice as many total strikes as his opponent. On top of that, Chimaev scored on four of 12 attempted takedowns resulting in 7:16 in control time.

Which robbery would you have voted as the best (or worst) or 2023?

Full List Of The LowKick MMA 2023 Robbery Of The Year Votes:

  • Ross Markey: Amir Albazi
  • Ian Shutts: Amir Albazi
  • Murdo Todd: Joselyn Edwards
  • Craig Pekios: Islam Makhachev
  • Makoa Goble: Amir Albazi
  • Tony King: Amir Albazi
  • Red Pill MMA: Khamzat Chimaev
  • Michael Owens: Amir Albazi
  • Danny Podolsky: Joselyn Edwards

Comeback Of The Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

ComebackWith a year full of fantastic comeback victories, only one could walk away as the favorite among the LowKick…

Comeback

With a year full of fantastic comeback victories, only one could walk away as the favorite among the LowKick MMA crew.

With six different bouts receiving nominations, it was perhaps this year’s closest vote, but in the end, Dan Hooker’s impressive split decision comeback over division standout Jalin Turner at UFC 290 was the victor with three total nominations.

Comeback of the year – dan hooker vs. jalin turner – UFC 290 – (3 Votes)

From the moment the bout was first announced, fight fans pegged Hooker vs. Turner as the Fight of the Night. Needless to say, the contest did not disappoint as the heart of Hooker weathered the incredibly violent storm of Turner to walk away with a split decision.

After a solid first round, ‘The Hangman’ found himself in some serious trouble after eating a nasty head kick from Turner in the second stanza. Biting down on his mouthpiece, Hooker returned fire and forced Turner to retreat and had his opponent dead to rights with a rear-naked choke in the round’s final seconds. The only thing that saved Turner from certain defeat was the bell.

Honorable Mentions:

C.J. Vergara vs. Daniel da Silva – UFC san Antonio – (1 vote)

C.J. Vergara narrowly survived the first round against Daniel da Silva but proved he had plenty of stamina as he pounded out his opponent en route to scoring one of the biggest comebacks of 2023.

In the opening round, Vergara ate a clean wheel kick from da Silva that had him literally running away from his opponent inside the Octagon. Surviving an early onslaught, Vergara bounced back in the second round, landing a series of ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee to step in and call for the stoppage with less than a minute to go in the round, giving fans an unforgettable comeback.

Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff – UFC Vegas 81 – (1 Vote)

Beloved veteran Edson Barboza got off to a rocky start when he stepped into the main event spotlight for a clash with Sodiq Yusuff. ‘Super’ badly wobbled Barboza in the first exchange of the fight and repeatedly stunned him with a series of boxing combinations. A finish appeared to be imminent, but a takedown by Yusuff slowed the fight and gave Barboza the time he needed to recover.

Barboza found his footing in the second round and officially turned the tide in the third, landing one of his signature spinning wheel kicks. Barboza was unable to capitalize on the moment, but he was able to carry that momentum into the final two rounds, walking away with a unanimous decision after surrendering a 10-8 in the first. It was a comeback for the ages from one of the UFC’s most tenured talents.

Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli – UFC 294 – (1 vote)

Anshul Jubli came out guns blazing and put on a spirited fight in his promotional debut at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. After taking the first two rounds with an onslaught of offense, Anshul was seemingly headed for a win. However, Breeden came out for the final round with a vengeance.

Barking like a dog, Breeden amped up the aggression and landed a series of heavy-handed shots that had his opponent backpedaling in an attempt to survive. With two minutes to go in the round, Breeden cracked Jubli with a stiff right hand that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas. Clearly compromised, the referee called for the stoppage, giving fans one of the most exciting come-from-behind victories of the year.

Elves Brener vs. Guram Kutateladze – UFC Vegas 76 – (1 vote)

Elves Brener entered the matchup with Guram Kutateladze as a sizeable underdog, but the Brazilian ended up scoring the most significant victory of his career after a wild back-and-forth scrap.

Brener came out looking to play spoiler with a couple of solid takedowns in the opening round, but it was the chopping leg kicks of Kutateladze followed by a huge flurry of strikes to close out the first. The second frame began with the Georgian opening up a huge cut on the forehead of Brener. Undeterred by the sight of his own blood, Brener continued to walk down Kutateladze with a variety of combinations.

Brener connected with a big left hook that had his opponent curled up against the fence in the third round before some follow-up punches ended the contest.

Rodolfo Bellato vs. ihor Potieria – UFC Austin (1 vote)

After a fast-paced opening round between the two light heavyweight standouts, Potieria landed some major damage in the early stages of the second round, dropping Bellato and putting the fight on the cusp of being stopped. However, Bellato refused to quit and managed to get back to his feet.

Potieria was understandably exhausted after failing to secure the finish which allowed Bellato to pour on the punishment in the second. Bellato landed a takedown, moved to mount, and unloaded a series of strikes until referee Jacob Montalvo stepped in and stopped the bout at the 4:17 mark of Round 2, paving the way for another epic comeback in 2023.

Which comeback of 2023 was your favorite?

Full List Of The LowKick MMA 2023 Comeback Of The Year Votes:

  • Ross Markey: Dan Hooker
  • Ian Shutts: Dan Hooker
  • Murdo Todd: Elves Brenner
  • Craig Pekios: Edson Barboza
  • Makoa Goble: Rodolfo Bellato
  • Tony King: Dan Hooker
  • Red Pill MMA: Carlston Harris
  • Michael Owens: C.J. Vergara
  • Danny Podolsky: Mike Breedan

Submission of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

Submission of the Year LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Alexa GrassoProving yet another competitive category for nominations this year — LowKick MMA’s staff were widely divided when it came…

Submission of the Year LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Alexa Grasso

Proving yet another competitive category for nominations this year — LowKick MMA’s staff were widely divided when it came to deciding this annum’s ‘Submission of the Year’.

Drawing a total of four separate nominations, from the likes of stunning championship rallying performances, star-making stoppages, and triumphant Octagon returns, it proved to be another award in the books for undisputed flyweight queen, Alexa Grasso this year — who stopped the dominant run of Valentina Shevchenko with a rallying face crank back in March at UFC 285.

Submission of the Year – Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Alexa Grasso – UFC 285 – Neck Crank – (3 votes)

Stopping the spectacularly dominant run of flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko back in March in a magnificent rallying performance, it proved practice makes perfect for Mexican star, Alexa Grasso at UFC 295 — who drilled a stunning back-take and subseqeunt face crank backstage, before translating the drill into a live-action stoppage.

Dealing with Shevchenko’s pressure and dominance throughout the course of their UFC 285 co-headliner, Grasso, who has since snatched the number one rank in the official pound-for-pound rankings, took the back of the former bantamweight title chaser in the fourth round, and immediately locked up a stunning face crank submission, forcing an eventual tap.

Honorable Mentions –

Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC 285 – Guillotine Choke – (2 votes)

Snapping his hiatus from the Octagon in his sole appearance this year back in March — atop the card in which Grasso struck gold, Jones minted himself as the new heavyweight champion, locking up a quickfire guillotine submission win over Ciryl Gane in the pair’s vacant title affair.

Yet to return to the Octagon in the time since, Jones, who made his long-anticipated heavyweight debut — turned in a spectacular stoppage win over former interim champion, Gane with just over a minute elapsed in the opening frame, handing the Frenchman his first-ever stoppage loss in mixed martial arts — courtesy of a nasty locking guillotine choke win.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal – UFC 285 – Standing Rear-Naked Choke (2 votes)

Ending the year with a monumental rear-naked choke win over fan-favorite, Stephen Thompson earlier this month, unbeaten Uzbekistan finisher, Shavkat Rakhmonov turned in a standing variation of the choke on the same card as Jones’ and Grasso’s win at UFC 285 — laying waste to Geoff Neal in a testy clash.

Davey Grant vs. Raphael Assuncao – UFC Las Vegas – Inverted Triangle Choke – (2 votes)

Rallying in tremendous fashion with one of the most dynamic submissions of the year, British contender, Davey Grant may have felt hard done by with his submission effort falling short on many list’s — with a technical stoppage of Brazilian veteran, Raphael Assuncao earning him an honorable mention and two votes from the LowKick MMA staff.

Full List Of The LowKick MMA 2023 Submission Of The Year Votes:

  • Ross Markey: Jon Jones
  • Ian Shutts: Alexa Grasso
  • Murdo Todd: Jon Jones
  • Craig Pekios: Alexa Grasso
  • Makoa Goble: Davey Grant
  • Tony King: Alexa Grasso
  • Red Pill MMA: Shavkat Rakhmonov
  • Michael Owens: Shavkat Rakhmonov
  • Danny Podolsky: Davey Grant

Knockout of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

LowKick MMA Awards Knockout of the Year 2023 Israel AdesanyaStunning knockouts proved aplenty this year in massive title fights as well as clashes between up and coming contenders,…

LowKick MMA Awards Knockout of the Year 2023 Israel Adesanya

Stunning knockouts proved aplenty this year in massive title fights as well as clashes between up and coming contenders, with this year’s category for Knockout of the Year for the staff at LowKick MMA proving one of the most diverse and divisive award to throw out nominations for.

From the likes of massive one-punch finishes, high-kick phenomenons and star-making performances, as well as career-ending successes, it’s former middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya’s spectacular rallying KO over fierce rival, Alex Pereira back in April to stop the Brazil — which has taken the Knockout of the Year award for 2023.

Knockout of the Year – Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 – UFC 287 – KO (punches) (3 votes)

Turning in a highlight-reel finish accompanied by one of the more memorable celebrations in recent Octagon history, Israel Adesanya briefly reclaimed the undisputed middleweight championship back in April in a rematch against prior kickboxing rival, Alex Pereira — landing flush on the Brazilian with a massive counter right hand knockout in emphatic fashion.

Losing his belt to the Sao Paulo native back in November of last year, who has since clinched undisputed light heavyweight gold, Adesanya managed to land the 185 pound title for the second time in his Octagon tenure in Miami, Florida — launching from the fence in the second round, when seemingly on the brink of another finish loss.

Cannoning home with a huge right hook counter strike, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya flattened Pereira before following up with a slew of ground strikes — before mimicking Pereira’s bow and arrow pre-fight taunt, before snapping said bow over his knee.

Honorable Mentions –

Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell – UFC 296 – KO (punch) (2 votes)

Turning in a late contender for Knockout of the Year before Christmas, featherweight staple and former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett landed a cataclysmic knockout at UFC 296 over Bryce Mitchell — felling the outspoken contender with a brutal right hook, resulting in a flattening KO and subsequent Performance of the Night bonus.

Meeting The Ultimate Fighter alum on short-notice at UFC 296, Emmett who was reportedly weighing up retirement following UFC 296, has since staked his claim for a title-eliminator against Max Holloway — after his stunning win over Mitchell.

Colliding with the Arkansas native in the Octagon, Emmett unleashed a nuclear right hand flush on Mitchell’s chin, felling him straight to the Octagon canvas in a brutal walk-off display, as the former worryingly began wincing on the bottom.

Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price – UFC 290 – KO (punches) (1 vote)

In typical Robbie Lawler fashion, an aggressive start led to an eventual devastating finish in the form of a 38-second KO win over Niko Price at UFC 290 earlier this summer — coming in what came as his final walk in mixed martial arts competition to date.

Bouncing back to the winner’s enclosure after a TKO blemish against Bryan Barberena, Lawler, a former undisputed welterweight champion and subsequent Hall of Fame inductee into the promotion’s Fight Wing, stopped opponent Price in the clinch with a vicious barrage in just 38-seconds, before bowing out and calling time on his storied professional mixed martial arts career during International Fight Week.

Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – UFC 292 – TKO (punches) (1 vote)

In one of the most memorable — and ultimately star-making performances of the year, newly-minted undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley picked the perfect opportunity to turn in such a performance, in the form of his highly-anticipated grudge match with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 back in August.

Denying the Uniondale native’s takedown attempts in a tentative back-and-forth opening round, early in the second frame, landing a massive pull-counter shot, O’Malley sent and on-rushing Sterling to the canvas before finding home with a series of well-placed ground strikes, bringing a crashing end to Sterling’s record-setting title run — and minting himself as undisputed champion.

Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez – UFC 287 – TKO (punches) (1 vote)

Electing to largely slug it out with the highly-touted Adrian Yanez at UFC 287 back in April on the same card as Adesanya’s award-winning knockout of Pereira, bantamweight staple, Rob Font momentarily prevented the changing of the guard, courtesy of a massive right hand knockdown and follow-up strikes for a first round TKO win.

Sharing his own moments in an out-and-out firefight with Yanez in ‘The Sunshine State’ — Font crashed home with a massive right hand against the former, sending him flying to the canvas to the Octagon, before following up with a series of ground strikes for a TKO success.

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski II – UFC 294 – KO (high-kick and punches) (1 vote)

Sharing the Octagon twice with featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski this year, pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev put talk of their close February matchup firmly behind him come October — ending their rivalry with brutal fashion with a vicious opening round high-kick KO win in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Full list of the LowKick MMA 2023 Knockout of the Year votes:

  • Ross Markey: Israel Adesanya
  • Ian Shutts: Israel Adesanya
  • Murdo Todd: Josh Emmett
  • Craig Pekios: Robbie Lawler
  • Makoa Goble: Josh Emmett
  • Tony King: Islam Makhachev
  • Red Pill MMA: Sean O’Malley
  • Michael Owens: Rob Font
  • Danny Podolsky: Israel Adesanya

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Fighter of the Year Sean Strickland2023 brought with it a multitude of standout performances from some of the most unlikeliest of sources — in…

LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Fighter of the Year Sean Strickland

2023 brought with it a multitude of standout performances from some of the most unlikeliest of sources — in some of the biggest and high-profile fights of the annum, from the likes of middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, welterweight maestro, Leon Edwards, and pound-for-pound star, Islam Makhachev.

However. amid a list of nominations long and varying issues by the staff here at LowKick MMA — the outspoken Sean Strickland has emerged far and ahead as the consensus Fighter of the Year for 2023.

Fighter of the Year – Sean Strickland – UFC – 3-0-0 (4 votes)

Rebounding from a tumultuous 2022 year which included a two-fight losing skid to former title challenger, Jared Cannonier, and two-weight champion, last year’s Fighter of the Year award winner, Alex Pereira — the often-outspoken Strickland turned in a year to remember, including one of the biggest upsets in recent Octagon memory in the final quarter of the year.

Snapping his two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over the highly-touted, Nassourdine Imavov at the beginning of the year in a short-notice light heavyweight clash, Strickland would seize the opportunity of a first title challenger with a knockout win over Abusupiysan Magomedov.

And shocking the collective mixed martial arts community back in September, Strickland, on would-be hostile terrritory against Oceanic striker, Israel Adesanya — landed a unanimous shutout decision win over the City Kickboxing staple, clinching the promotion’s undisputed middleweight crown.

Booked to make his return in a heated title fight defense against the surging, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 at the turn of the year in ‘The Great White North’, Strickland takes the Fighter of the Year award under the LowKick MMA banner this annum.

Honorable Mentions –

Leon Edwards – UFC – 2-0-0 (3 votes)

Rounding off a championship-laden year for himself earlier this month, undisputed welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards recorded two straight victories by way of decision this year — laying waste to the division’s constant and always challenging guard.

Closing out his trilogy with a rubber match against former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 back in March on home soil in the UK, Birmingham technician, Edwards landed a majority decision win over the Auchi native — having snatched the throne in August of last year with a immortal high-kick rallying knockout success.

And earlier this month, in a brutal grudge match with former interim champion, Colby Covington, Edwards landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over the aging Clovis challenger, who failed to mount any real significant output offensively.

Islam Makhachev – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)

Closing out his series of fights with undisptued featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski back in October, pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev did so in certain style — showing off his sriking arsenal with a spectacular opening round high-kick KO in the pair’s lightweight title rematch.

The victory followed a prior February back-and-forth with the New South Wales star, in which Makhachev edged a close and egregious decision win on enemy territory.

Dricus du Plessis – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)

Ahead of his championship siege in January against award winner, Strickland, South African challenger, Dricus du Plessis has enjoyed an unbeaten 2-0 run in the UFC this year — continuing in his perfect-promotional winning vein.

Landing on the most impactful victory in what seems likes years in the middleweight ranks, after a TKO stoppage of recent PFL debutante, Derek Brunson, in July, du Plessis landed a stunning second round knockout win over former undisputed middleweight champion and ever-present top-contender, Robert Whittaker, earning him a shot at Strickland’s title belt.

Full list of the LowKick MMA 2023 Fighter of the Year votes:

Ross Markey: Sean Strickland

Ian Shutts: Islam Makhachev

Murdo Todd: Leon Edwards

Craig Pekios: Leon Edwards

Makoa Goble: Sean Strickland

Tony King: Leon Edwards

Red Pill MMA: Dricus du Plessis

Michael Owens: Sean Strickland

Danny Podolsky: Sean Strickland

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Fighter of the Year Sean Strickland2023 brought with it a multitude of standout performances from some of the most unlikeliest of sources — in…

LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Fighter of the Year Sean Strickland

2023 brought with it a multitude of standout performances from some of the most unlikeliest of sources — in some of the biggest and high-profile fights of the annum, from the likes of middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, welterweight maestro, Leon Edwards, and pound-for-pound star, Islam Makhachev.

However. amid a list of nominations long and varying issues by the staff here at LowKick MMA — the outspoken Sean Strickland has emerged far and ahead as the consensus Fighter of the Year for 2023.

Fighter of the Year – Sean Strickland – UFC – 3-0-0 (4 votes)

Rebounding from a tumultuous 2022 year which included a two-fight losing skid to former title challenger, Jared Cannonier, and two-weight champion, last year’s Fighter of the Year award winner, Alex Pereira — the often-outspoken Strickland turned in a year to remember, including one of the biggest upsets in recent Octagon memory in the final quarter of the year.

Snapping his two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over the highly-touted, Nassourdine Imavov at the beginning of the year in a short-notice light heavyweight clash, Strickland would seize the opportunity of a first title challenger with a knockout win over Abusupiysan Magomedov.

And shocking the collective mixed martial arts community back in September, Strickland, on would-be hostile terrritory against Oceanic striker, Israel Adesanya — landed a unanimous shutout decision win over the City Kickboxing staple, clinching the promotion’s undisputed middleweight crown.

Booked to make his return in a heated title fight defense against the surging, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 at the turn of the year in ‘The Great White North’, Strickland takes the Fighter of the Year award under the LowKick MMA banner this annum.

Honorable Mentions –

Leon Edwards – UFC – 2-0-0 (3 votes)

Rounding off a championship-laden year for himself earlier this month, undisputed welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards recorded two straight victories by way of decision this year — laying waste to the division’s constant and always challenging guard.

Closing out his trilogy with a rubber match against former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 back in March on home soil in the UK, Birmingham technician, Edwards landed a majority decision win over the Auchi native — having snatched the throne in August of last year with a immortal high-kick rallying knockout success.

And earlier this month, in a brutal grudge match with former interim champion, Colby Covington, Edwards landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over the aging Clovis challenger, who failed to mount any real significant output offensively.

Islam Makhachev – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)

Closing out his series of fights with undisptued featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski back in October, pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev did so in certain style — showing off his sriking arsenal with a spectacular opening round high-kick KO in the pair’s lightweight title rematch.

The victory followed a prior February back-and-forth with the New South Wales star, in which Makhachev edged a close and egregious decision win on enemy territory.

Dricus du Plessis – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)

Ahead of his championship siege in January against award winner, Strickland, South African challenger, Dricus du Plessis has enjoyed an unbeaten 2-0 run in the UFC this year — continuing in his perfect-promotional winning vein.

Landing on the most impactful victory in what seems likes years in the middleweight ranks, after a TKO stoppage of recent PFL debutante, Derek Brunson, in July, du Plessis landed a stunning second round knockout win over former undisputed middleweight champion and ever-present top-contender, Robert Whittaker, earning him a shot at Strickland’s title belt.

Full list of the LowKick MMA 2023 Fighter of the Year votes:

Ross Markey: Sean Strickland

Ian Shutts: Islam Makhachev

Murdo Todd: Leon Edwards

Craig Pekios: Leon Edwards

Makoa Goble: Sean Strickland

Tony King: Leon Edwards

Red Pill MMA: Dricus du Plessis

Michael Owens: Sean Strickland

Danny Podolsky: Sean Strickland