The 2022 world MMA awards have finally been wrapped and the winners of this year have been announced. This was the 14th annual World MMA Awards, which took place on Thursday at SAHARA in Las Vegas. These awards are for some of the best performances, fighters, and MMA representatives of the year. It is a token of appreciation for all the people who play a vital role in making the sport of MMA great. Just like every year, UFC and UFC fighters took the majority of the awards.
The topmost award for the Male fighter of the year went to UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Alex has been unrivaled inside the octagon. He defended his title twice in 2022. Volkanovski fought Jung Chan-sung at UFC 273. He finished him in the 4th round of the fight.
Fighter of the Year
Congrats Alexander Valkavoloski!#WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/WZbHluNEja— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 9, 2022
Alexander then completed his trilogy fight with former champ Max Holloway and put on a performance of a lifetime against the best of the division. Alexander Volkanovski is now set to fight for the lightweight championship against the newly crowned champion Islam Makhachev.
Female Fighter of the Year
Congrats Valentina Shevchenko!#WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/GfMZmibLw9— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 9, 2022
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko was awarded as the female fighter of the year. She is currently riding an astonishing 9 fight-winning streak. She has defended her flyweight title seven times.
Valentina Shevchenko only had one fight this year against Taila Santos at UFC 275. She won the fight via decision. Valentina Shevchenko has now talked about fighting for the second belt in the promotion, as she hasn’t faced much adversity in her division.
14th Annual World MMA Awards Results
- Male Fighter of the Year: Alexander Volkanovski
- Female Fighter of the year: Valentina Shevchenko
- Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Paddy Pimblett
- International Fighter of the Year: Khamzat Chimaev
- Fight of the Year: Jiri Prochazka vs Glover Teixeira
- Knockout of the Year: Michael Chandler’s front kick KO of Tony Ferguson at UFC 268
- Submission of the Year: Charles Oliveira’s submission against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269
- The comeback of the Year: Aljamain Sterling from injuries
- Upset of the Year: Julianna Pena defeating Amanda Nunes at UFC 269
- Coach of the Year: Eugene Bareman
- Trainer of the Year: Heather Linden
- Gym of the Year: City Kickboxing
- Referee of the Year: Marc Goddard
- Ring card Girl of the Year: Brittney Palmer
- Leading Man of the Year: Dana White (UFC President)
- Best Promotion of the Year: UFC
- The personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
- Analyst of the Year: Michael Bisping
- Best MMA Programming: Morning Kombat
- MMA Media Source of the Year: ESPN
- MMA Journalist of the Year: Ariel Helwani
- Fighting Spirit of the Year: Kevin Holland for showing bravery in his community.