The 15th annual World MMA Awards took place Thursday at SAHARA in Las Vegas.
Check out our live blog and results of the night’s winners, including Fighter of the Year, Coach of the Year, Promotion of the Year and much more.
MMA Junkie was nominated for Media Source of the Year, while staff reporter Nolan King is up for Journalist of the Year.
Check out the results below as well as other notes from MMA Junkie’s on-site coverage of the event.
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Fighters begin to hit red carpet
First fighter to hit the red carpet at the #WorldMMAAwards is Nazim Sadykhov, who said he’s already working on his next fight for March or April.
He thinks a fight between his friend Aljamain Sterling and Max Holloway would be “very fun.” pic.twitter.com/z2rYWaiiTA
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Emelina Adams on the red carpet
“Bullet Train” actress Emelina Adams will be a presenter at tonight’s #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/95vI3v5Ms0
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Ode Osbourne on the red carpet
Ode Osbourne says he’s in the “prime stage” of preparation for his March fight with Jafel Filho. #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/W51CiG6pSk
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Mark Smith on the red carpet
Referee of the Year nominee Mark Smith had some insightful things to say about his years and experience in the fight game. #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/hsFP8rMz6V
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Matt Riddle on the red carpet
Matt Riddle sighting at the #WorldMMAAwards, BRO.
Interesting to hear him talk about the possibility of making an MMA return in 2024. Said he’s talked to some promotions but didn’t wanted to get ahead of himself by naming names. 👀 pic.twitter.com/57gXgMnsK4
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Dustin Poirier on the red carpet
Fight of the Year nominee (and king of diamonds?) Dustin Poirier is at the #WorldMMAAwards for the first time. 💎 pic.twitter.com/NeZLyMVPH1
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Audie Attar provides update on Conor McGregor on the red carpet
Audie Attar at the #WorldMMAAwards.
We just spoke to him, and this is MY $0.02, but to hear him talk about Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC, it’s clear (to me at least) that fighting Michael Chandler isn’t a sure thing.
Again, just my $0.02. pic.twitter.com/yvF8gpv3CE
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Ken Shamrock on the red carpet
30 years after UFC 1, Ken Shamrock is at the 15th annual #WorldMMAAwards to receive a Lifetime Achievement award. pic.twitter.com/0HGIJrgFLB
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Aljamain Sterling on the red carpet
Aljamain Sterling shared some *real* opinions when talking about the merit side of matchmaking in the UFC. pic.twitter.com/LdgJDGOkND
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Laura Sanko on the red carpet
Personality of the Year nominee Laura Sanko is here for the #WorldMMAAwards. Maybe get her in the analyst category next year? 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/A7QeYRRWaR
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
AND THE WINNERS ARE ...
15th annual #WorldMMAAwards are about to get underway. Follow along for live results here: https://t.co/DOPvyjw1hD pic.twitter.com/RtIZ4YF3Ri
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
MMA Media Source of the Year: ESPN
Media Source of the Year winner: ESPN #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/MDMdZbEQyv
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Submission of the Year: Alexa Grasso def. Valentina Shevchenko
Submission of the Year winner: Alexa Grasso for her win over Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/utA05MC9mY
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
MMA Journalist of the Year: Ariel Helwani
Journalist of the Year: Ariel Helwani #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/81QkXdGrVG
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Gym of the Year: American Top Team
Gym of the Year: American Top Team #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/adVjtCYiMo
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Fighting Spirit of the Year: Themba Gorimba
Fighting Spirit winner: Themba Gorimbo #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/0MZuLws4aT
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Trainer of the Year: Heather Linden
Trainer of the Year winner: Dr. Heather Linden #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/zj0avRYQ7R
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Upset of the Year: Alexa Grasso
Upset of the Year winner: Alexa Grasso def. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/oGOjQ8rrIG
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Knockout of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman at UFC 178
Knockout of the Year winner: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/1NNZhy9RL5
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Referee of the Year: Herb Dean
Referee of the Year winner: Herb Dean #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/8s0oGabf60
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Chael Sonnen rips Ian Garry
Leading Man of the Year: Dana White
Leading Man of the Year winner: Dana White #WorldMMAAwards
Here’s his speech: pic.twitter.com/Cy0GaAMGDb
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Promotion of the Year
Promotion of the Year winner: UFC #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/XnOj4EB9pY
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Best MMA Programming: Dana White's Contender Series
Best MMA Programming winner: Dana White’s Contender Series #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/ge6Sazx4Ha
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Analyst of the Year: Michael Bisping
#WorldMMAAward winners:
Analyst of the Year winner: Michael Bisping
Coach of the Year winner: Mike Brown
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Coach of the Year: Mike Brown
#WorldMMAAward winners:
Analyst of the Year winner: Michael Bisping
Coach of the Year winner: Mike Brown
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
#WorldMMAAward winners:
Analyst of the Year winner: Michael Bisping
Coach of the Year winner: Mike Brown
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman at UFC 178
#WorldMMAAward winners:
Analyst of the Year winner: Michael Bisping
Coach of the Year winner: Mike Brown
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
#WorldMMAAward winners:
Analyst of the Year winner: Michael Bisping
Coach of the Year winner: Mike Brown
International Fighter of the Year: Leon Edwards
Comeback of the Year: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman
Personality of the Year: Joe Rogan
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Alex Pereira
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Alex Pereira #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/oKr39YbaLv
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Ring Card Girl of the Year: Brittney Palmer
Ringcard Girl of the Year winner: Brittney Palmer, who announces this weekend’s #UFC296 will be her final event. #WorldMMAAwards
Here is her speech: pic.twitter.com/fPERNBlWja
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Chael brings Brittney Palmer back to the stage for a proper retirement sendoff.
She lays down her shorts lol. #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/dUcrHBR22K
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Fight of the Year: Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Fight of the Year: Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/DcODghYL6s
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Male Fighter of the Year:
Charles “Mask” Lewis Fighter of the Year winner: Leon Edwards #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/AvIxyBCUDZ
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Female Fighter of the Year: Alexa Grasso
Female Fighter of the Year winner: Alexa Grasso #WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/OqdyHjptkZ
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ken Shamrock
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ken Shamrock#WorldMMAAwards pic.twitter.com/Kyti6Xq7mV— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 15, 2023
