Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

USA Today Sports Media Group

MMA Junkie Staff

MMA Junkie’s 2024 awards roundup: Dakota Ditcheva, Ilia Topuria, Carlos Prates and more

Carlos Prates Dakota Ditcheva Ilia Topuria MMA Junkie UFC USA TODAY Sports Justin Gaethje Max Holloway Neil Magny Anatoly Malykhin

The MMA Junkie 2024 Awards season is in the books.

Now, for the first time, you can see all of our staff members’ honors from the past year in one spot, from our top fighters of the year to the biggest stunners and more. We’ve compiled all our awards coverage and best-ofs into one spot.

Take a look back at our best of the best from 2024 below.

Most used referees in 2024, overall

Mark Smith

Leading third men: The 9 referees who oversaw the most UFC fights in 2024

Most used UFC referees in 2024

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Referee Herb Dean during the fight of Blood Diamond (not pictured) and Charles Radtke (not pictured) during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Leading third men: The 9 referees who oversaw the most UFC fights in 2024

Biggest statistical upsets in 2024

2024 PFL 1: San Antonio at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)

Defying the odds: The 10 biggest MMA betting upsets of 2024

UFC year-end facts

Alex Pereira

UFC in 2024: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids and record-setters

Coach of the Year

Belal Muhammad, Mike Valle at UFC 304

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Coach of the Year: Mike Valle

Gym of the Year

Nov 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Caio Borralho (red gloves) reacts after defeating Abus Magomedov (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Ibirapuera Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Gym of the Year: The Fighting Nerds

Comeback of the Year

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Neil Magny (red glove) fights Mike Malott (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Comeback of the Year: Neil Magny turns tables on Mike Malott

Comeback Fighter of the Year

2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / 2024PFLPPV)

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Comeback Fighter of the Year: Francis Ngannou

Robbery of the Year

Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Robbery of the Year: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal

Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year

Steve Garcia def. Kyle Nelson, UFC Fight Night 242 (via UFC)

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Under the Radar Fighter of the Year: Steve Garcia

Breakout Fighter of the Year

Dec 14, 2024; Tampa, Florida, UNITED STATES; Joaquin Buckley (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Colby Covington (red gloves) at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Breakout Fighter of the Year: Joaquin Buckley

Upset of the Year

“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane def. Anatoly Malykhin – ONE 169

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Upset of the Year: ‘Reug Reug’ def. Anatoly Malykhin

Newcomer of the Year

Carlos Prates def. Neil Magny, UFC Fight Night 247 (via UFC)

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Newcomer of the Year: Carlos Prates

Event of the Year

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Max Holloway (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Justin Gaethje (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Event of the Year: UFC 300

Submission of the Year

Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Submission of the Year: Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Knockout of the Year

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Max Holloway (blue gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Knockout of the Year: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300

Fight of the Year

Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico (red gloves) fights Esteban Ribovics of Argentina (blue gloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Fight of the Year: Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306

Male Fighter of the Year

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Male Fighter of the Year: Ilia Topuria

Female Fighter of the Year

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Female Fighter of the Year: Dakota Ditcheva

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

FACT FOCUS: FEMA funding to New York City to assist migrants is misrepresented

FACT FOCUS: FEMA funding to New York City to assist migrants is misrepresented

FEMA payments to New York City for migrant assistance came under scrutiny this week as Elon Musk claimed his Department of Government Efficiency had uncovered $59 million in illegal payments to house migrants in luxury hotels when it was meant for American disaster relief

The Independent UK

At least 10 hospitalized in fire at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival costume factory

At least 10 hospitalized in fire at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival costume factory

A fire in a factory that produces costumes for the carnival in Rio de Janeiro has left 10 people hospitalized, health authorities said

The Independent UK

California Father Detained By ICE While Getting His Small Children Ready for School, Family Says

California Father Detained By ICE While Getting His Small Children Ready for School, Family Says

A Los Angeles father was detained by ICE while getting his children ready for school, amid California officials' push to defend legal protections for immigrants.

Florida GOP Ends Weeks of Infighting With New Compromise Bills on Immigration

Florida GOP Ends Weeks of Infighting With New Compromise Bills on Immigration

A new set of immigration bills will be enacted in Florida after almost three-weeks of tension between the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

AP excoriates White House barring of reporters as ‘alarming precedent’

AP excoriates White House barring of reporters as ‘alarming precedent’

Editor Julie Pace writes to Trump’s chief of staff about ban on its journalists after AP declines to use ‘Gulf of America’

The Guardian - US

Transgender Teens Challenge Trump's Ban On Girls' Sports Participation

Transgender Teens Challenge Trump's Ban On Girls' Sports Participation

Transgender teens challenge Trump's ban on transgender athletes in girls' sports, seeking equal opportunities and inclusion.

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

FACT FOCUS: FEMA funding to New York City to assist migrants is misrepresented

FACT FOCUS: FEMA funding to New York City to assist migrants is misrepresented

FEMA payments to New York City for migrant assistance came under scrutiny this week as Elon Musk claimed his Department of Government Efficiency had uncovered $59 million in illegal payments to house migrants in luxury hotels when it was meant for American disaster relief

The Independent UK

At least 10 hospitalized in fire at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival costume factory

At least 10 hospitalized in fire at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival costume factory

A fire in a factory that produces costumes for the carnival in Rio de Janeiro has left 10 people hospitalized, health authorities said

The Independent UK

California Father Detained By ICE While Getting His Small Children Ready for School, Family Says

California Father Detained By ICE While Getting His Small Children Ready for School, Family Says

A Los Angeles father was detained by ICE while getting his children ready for school, amid California officials' push to defend legal protections for immigrants.

Florida GOP Ends Weeks of Infighting With New Compromise Bills on Immigration

Florida GOP Ends Weeks of Infighting With New Compromise Bills on Immigration

A new set of immigration bills will be enacted in Florida after almost three-weeks of tension between the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

AP excoriates White House barring of reporters as ‘alarming precedent’

AP excoriates White House barring of reporters as ‘alarming precedent’

Editor Julie Pace writes to Trump’s chief of staff about ban on its journalists after AP declines to use ‘Gulf of America’

The Guardian - US

Transgender Teens Challenge Trump's Ban On Girls' Sports Participation

Transgender Teens Challenge Trump's Ban On Girls' Sports Participation

Transgender teens challenge Trump's ban on transgender athletes in girls' sports, seeking equal opportunities and inclusion.

Our Picks

Saquon Barkley Sent Stern Message to Eagles Fans Who Booed Taylor Swift at Super Bowl

Saquon Barkley defended Taylor Swift after she was loudly booed by Eagles fans during the team's Super Bowl LIX win vs. the Chiefs.

Sports Illustrated

Martha Stewart's kitchen shelves are a sleek and smart use of dead space – they are making me rethink my own kitchen storage

Stewart's former kitchen features a T-shaped shelving unit that houses books and ceramics, acting as both a storage unit and display case

Homes & Gardens

Ozzy Osbourne sued for using own likeness – genuine copyright infringement or just a shot in the dark?

A lawsuit has been filed against the Prince of Darkness for allegedly using a photograph of his own likeness without obtaining permission

Digital Camera World

Scarlett Johansson slams AI after fake video of celebrities giving Kanye West the finger goes viral

‘We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging,’ said the ‘Black Widow’ star

The Independent UK

“Bland And Basic”: After Pete Davidson Burns Off Tattoos, People Debate His New Mature Look

After the SNL comedian's inkless glow-up, fans believe Kim Kardashian should consider texting her ex. The post “Bland And Basic”: After Pete Davidson Burns Off Tattoos, People Debate His New Mature Look first appeared on Bored Panda.

Martyrs? Bacchanalia? Chaucer? Delving into the murky origins of Valentine’s Day

Lovers have always batted their eyes on Valentine’s Day as cherubs circled overhead

The Independent UK

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play