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

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