The year 2024 in MMA was filled with notable events, including UFC 300 being hailed as potentially the event of the decade, thrilling fights like Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306, unexpected upsets such as Gabriella Fernandes defeating Wang Cong, and bizarre occurrences like Igor Severino’s disqualification for biting an opponent, all culminating in a memorable and eventful year for the sport.
The holiday season’s wrapping up, and with it, the year 2024.
In MMA, 2024 was a whirlwind of events and unforgettable moments. We at MMA Fighting did our best to capture this epic year with our Year End awards (check the links below if you missed any). But let’s be real, five categories aren’t enough to cover it all.
So here we are, on the brink of a new year, taking one last look back at the wild, wonderful, and downright weird happenings of 2024.
Event of the Year
Sometimes picking an event of the year is tough. And while UFC 299 and UFC 306 were standouts, UFC 300 was something else entirely. On paper? The greatest fight card ever assembled. And it delivered beyond expectations with endless great fights and some generational moments. Not just event of the year; maybe event of the decade!
Round of the Year

Probably the easiest award to hand out all year. Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber nearly snagged Fight of the Year honors for their UFC 306 clash. It started strong but exploded in the final round as neither wanted to back down.
Ribovics hurt Zellhuber bad and unleashed a flurry of punches, but Zellhuber staggered around like a drunk yet never fell. Then he fired back! Looked like he might turn it around before Ribovics cracked him again. Real blood-and-guts stuff from both men in that last round—best of 2024 by far.
Upset of the Year
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Surprising as it may seem, one of UFC’s top ten upsets happened in ’24.
Just over a month ago at UFC Macau, Wang Cong faced Gabriella Fernandes in her second UFC bout. Wang was a massive favorite—an accomplished kickboxer with a win over Valentina Shevchenko. People thought she’d get fast-tracked to a title shot like Alex Pereira. Apparently, nobody told Fernandes.
Wang dominated round one but got dropped in round two outta nowhere! Fernandes pounced and locked in a rear-naked choke for the upset. Wang was a -950 favorite going in, making Fernandes’s submission the ninth-biggest upset in UFC history based on odds.
Gym of the Year
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
This award could go to American Top Team every year—they churn out top fighters consistently. But not this year. There’s only one right answer this time.
In ’23 they were on the sidelines; in ’24 Fighting Nerds broke out big time! Caio Borralho became a legit middleweight contender; Carlos Prates was Rookie of the Year (and Jean Silva wasn’t far behind). Plus guys like Mauricio Ruffy & Thiago Moises too!
And hey—their signature broken glasses got popular! Heckuva year for them overall.
Most Unnecessary Fight of the Year
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Last year Jon Jones got our Most Scared Fighter Award—12 months later? He still hasn’t fought Tom Aspinall.
What Jones & UFC did do was finally settle things with Stipe Miocic—and surprise surprise—it went exactly how everyone expected: Jon Jones beat up a guy who hadn’t competed in four years! We learned nothing except Jones wants big bucks to fight Aspinall unless he can fight Alex Pereira instead.
Comeback of the Year
Back in February Dogfight Wild Tournament took place in Spain—a crazy fun event! No-rules fights; two-on-two MMA; five-on-one “Last Survivor” bout; striking-only Bloodsport tourney—you name it!
But most remarkable? Eduard Riego vs three guys named Manuel Ivan Tomas—a three-on-one fight! At first it looked bad for Riego but then he started choking out opponents left & right until he pulled off maybe greatest comeback since Patriots beat Falcons Super Bowl LI!
Epic stuff!
Injury of the Year
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Khamzat Chimaev breaking Robert Whittaker’s teeth almost won—but there are reasons why it didn’t make cut. First—it already won Submission Of The Year award; second—as gnarly as that was—the gash Norma Dumont opened on Irene Aldana’s head takes cake as worst cut ever seen MMA history!
Big statement I know—but Aldana’s forehead split lengthwise plus side cut halfway down made face look like ravine carved eons river blood running bottom—truly horrifying sight!
Most Insane Thing Of The Year (Good)
Photo by Mark R Milan/Getty Images
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