The debate for 2024 Fighter of the Year was among the most fierce in recent history, with UFC champions Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria both turning in incredible stretches of results that will be defining points of their respective careers.
Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) delivered three light heavyweight title defenses in a record 175-day stretch at UFC 300, UFC 303 and UFC 307, finishing Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. inside the distance. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), meanwhile, claimed the featherweight title with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, then became the first to stop Max Holloway with strikes in his first defense at UFC 308.
Although Pereira and Topuria were both remarkable in their own ways, only one winner could be crowned. MMA Junkie named Topuria as its 2024 Male Fighter of the Year, as did other outlets. Others, however, went in the direction of “Poatan.”
