Anderson vann Fighter of the Year 2008
För andra året äger den här awards showen rum. Denna gång den 30onde december och det på ”The Joint” (Hard Roch Hotel & Casino) i Las Vegas och kommer visas live på Versus. Då UFC 108 är den andra januari i stan kommer många troligen gå på den här showen och sen på galan. Iaf, är det vad mmajunkie tror. Komikern John Heffron leder galan.
Galan sköts av Fighters Only Magazine och ger pris i 18 olika kategorier i stil med Submission of the Year, Best MMA Media Source (tyvärr finns inte MMAnytt.se med) osv. En uppsjö av MMA-kändisar kommer dyka upp på galan och en ”one-of-a-kind” event utlovas. Hur det går ihop med att galan kommer äga rum varje år är lite oklart. Men hur som haver är ju idén rolig och galor i den här stilen är superpoppis i USA. Allting avgörs av röstning av fans. För att rösta eller köpa biljetter (om du vill åka dit och fira nyår i Las Vegas, kan nog vara kul) så kolla in world mma awards websida.
Efter hoppet finner ni alla nominerade i de 18 olika kategorierna…
Här följer en lista på finalisterna man kan rösta på
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Fighter of the Year
This award is for the Fighter who has embodied the ‘never say die’ spirit of Mixed Martial Arts and has shown composure in the face of adversity during the last 12 months. The Fighters of the Year award is not necessarily for the fighter who went undefeated throughout the year but the fighter who has put it all on the line in every outing
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Nominees must have fought at least once between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Mike Thomas Brown
Earning KO, submission and fight of the night honours in your last three fights is no easy task but when you’re doing it at the top of the WEC’s hyper competitive Featherweight division it’s another thing entirely. Brown’s achievement of such a feat defeating Urijah Faber twice and Leonard Garcia sees him in the running for Fighter of the Year.
Brock Lesnar
Lesnar comprehensively beat two former UFC Champions on the road to becoming the undisputed champion in just his fourth and fifth fights. Physical prowess that is rarely rivalled coupled with a lightning fast improvement of his skills have seen Lesnar propelled to the top of the UFC’s newly regenerated heavyweight division.
Lyoto Machida
Always a dominant fighter Machida found his KO power in 2009 sending Thiago Silva and then UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans back to the changing room early recovering from being knocked out whilst Machida himself looked like he’d simply warmed up. Evasive and now destructive Machida’s new found aggression has earned him a legion of new fans, a UFC title and a place in the finals of Fighter of the Year.
Whilst the 2008 Fighter of the Year struggled to find motivation (and a finish) in his first two bouts in the nomination period his effortless looking KO of former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 allowing him to demonstrate his phenomenal skill levels and sees him return to the finals of this category for the second year running.
Georges St.Pierre
St.Pierre demonstrated why he’s considered the man to beat at 170 lbs this year delivering dominating performances against BJ Penn and Thiago Alves. A fighter who constantly proves that athleticism, composure and strategy are vital components of a Champion’s skillset.
Med andra ord fyra UFC fighters och en WEC fighter. Zuffa jublar.
Fight of the Year
MMA has been built on the performance of two fighters locked in combat, both determined to emerge the victor. We’ve enjoyed such a legacy of great fights over the years and you can recognise and reward those responsible by nominating in the Fight of the Year Category
Nomination Criteria
Nominations can be any fight held between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Urijah Faber, WEC 41
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva, UFC 99
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir, UFC 100
Antonio Nogueira vs. Randy Couture, UFC 102
Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida, TUF 9 finale
Med andra ord fyra UFC fighter och en WEC fight. Zuffa jublar.
KO of the Year
A clean knockout can be a thing of beauty and highlight reels the World over are full of slow motion punches, kicks, knees and elbows that find their mark putting their recipient into a sound slumber. Some are the result of a meticulous set up whilst others seemingly come out of nowhere. Nominate your favourite KO to secure it in the sport’s history books
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominations must be victories recorded as either KO (Knock Out) or TKO (Technical Knock Out).
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell, UFC 88
Dan Henderson vs. Mike Bisping, UFC 100
Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans, UFC 98
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia, UFC 102
Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin, UFC 102
Med andra ord fem UFC fighter. Zuffa jublar.
Submission of the Year
Submissions will always be potent weapons for any fighter to have, and when employed well can stop a fight as decisively as a well timed strike. Chokes, arm bars, leg locks – all of their variations and more have entertained fans over the years and submissions continue to develop with new and more innovative set ups emerging year on year. Nominate your favourite submission to recognise the grappling skills of today’s fighters
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominations must be victories recorded as submission.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.Nominees can be male or female.
Terry Etim vs. Justin Buchholtz, UFC 99
Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory, UFC 91
Toby Imada vs. Jorge Masvidal, Bellator Fighting Championship 4
Demian Maia vs. Chael Sonnen, UFC 95
BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian, UFC 101
Med andra ord väldigt bra subbar! Toby Imadas inverted triangle choke var ju rätt vass, men så även de andra. Zuffa jublar även i denna kategori då 4/5 var UFC matcher och en ägde rum i Bellator Fighting Championship 4.
Best Promotion
This award is to be presented to the promotion that has delivered throughout the year not only well matched fight cards, but high quality production values and available programming (i.e. it’s easy for you to view it whether it be through PPV or online streaming media). Which promotion has consistently delivered for you over the year?
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on events held between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Any professional Mixed Martial Arts promotion is eligible for nomination. Bellator Fighting Chamionsip
D.R.E.A.M.
Strikeforce
UFC
WEC
Leading Man of the Year
Taking it’s name from the feature in Fighters Only magazine, this award is for the industry professional who has worked within MMA to build the sport. Industry figures who help break down barriers with the mainstream press and the established, mainstream sporting world as well as push the sport into popular culture – not to mention working with State Athletic Commissions and the like to ensure the safety of participants in the sport. This award goes to the figure that you think has had the largest positive impact on the sport in the last twelve months who is not a fighter themselves…
Nomination Criteria
Nominees cannot have fought between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Nominees must have a direct and formal link to MMA (manager, promoter, etc)
Scott Coker
CEO of West Coast promotion Strikeforce, Coker has been instrumental in building the profile of women’s MMA holding the Carano/Santos fight which aired on Showtime in the US.
Lorenzo Fertitta
The CEO of Zuffa LLC is also a majority shareholder (with his brother Frank Fertitta III) in the company and in 2008 made a full time commitment to help expand UFC internationally.
Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis
The co-founder of Tapout sadly died in March of this year but his efforts to promote MMA and in particular the support that he gave to dozens of fighters will never be forgotten.
Joe Silva
UFC matchmaker Silva may be a veteran of the industry with more than a decade’s experience but he’s demonstrated in the last 12 months that his ability to deliver fight cards that consistently entertain, utilising old and new faces alike, is still unrivalled.
The President of the UFC is one of the most visible executives in any industry and also one of the most passionate.
Med andra ord tre gubbar inom Zuffa.
European Fighter of the Year
With the growing success of European talent across the world it’s only fitting that we allow fans to nominate their favourite European Fighter. Nominations can be for any fighter from a European country regardless of where they train or have fought throughout the year
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Nominees must have fought at least once between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009
Nominees must have been born in Europe.
Mike Bisping
1 win, 1 loss in the nomination period Bisping stepped up to the plate to coach the British team in series 9 of The Ultimate Fighter and help others achieve the same dream he has. The trailblazing Brit’s style worked and 3 out of the 4 finalists places were earned by British fighters, with Brits Pearson and Wilkes walking away with UFC contracts.
Fedor Emelianenko
Fighting only once in the nomination period, Emelianenko looked frustrated by former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski until Arlovski became over-zealous and tried for a flying knee. Emelianenko only needed this tiny window of opportunity to throw one punch and end the fight.
Terry Etim
Understated Etim has quietly gone 3-0 in the UFC during the nomination period finishing his last two fights in spectacular fashion. At UFC 95 he dropped Brian Cobb with a head kick (before finishing him with punches) for the KO victory and at UFC 99 he fought an all out war with Justin Buchholtz eventually submitting him with a d’arce choke which has been shortlisted for Submission of the Year.
Dan Hardy
Prior to stepping in the Octagon in October last year Hardy had already proved that he was one of the best Welterweights in Europe. Now with 3 UFC wins on his record he’s out to prove that he’s one of the best worldwide.
Gegard Mousasi
The most prolific of our finalists Mousasi is 4-0 in the nominating period winning the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix in September, arm barring former K-1 Champion Mark Hunt in May and then knocking out Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral in August. In his last victory he outmatched the former UFC title challenger with fearsome ease signalling his arrival in the US.
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Watch the under card of any big show and you’ll be guaranteed to see fighters who may lack finesse but make up for it with their hunger to impress and succeed. This award acknowledges the up and coming talent in the world’s toughest sport – the Champions of the future. The Breakthrough Fighter of the Year is the award for fighters who you think have really made their mark on the sport in the last 12 months
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Nominees must have fought at least once between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Shane Carwin
Dan Hardy
Brock Lesnar
Female Fighter of the Year
There was a time when women’s MMA was a niche within a niche but those days are well and behind us. Female MMA is now more accessible than ever before and the standard has never been higher with some legitimate stars coming through the ranks. Nominate your favourite female fighter and give them the recognition that they deserve
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees must be female.
Nominees must have fought at least once between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Perhaps the most recognisable Female fighter on the planet Carano went 1-1 in the nomination period. Although she lost her fight with Santos, Carano demonstrated a true fighter’s heart never giving up in the face of real adversity.
Megamu Fujii
The most experienced fighter in this category, submission ace Fujii put another two armbars and a keylock onto her account in the nomination period with 3 straight victories.
Sarah Kaufman
The Canadian knock out artist put together 3 victories in the nomination period and remains undefeated in 10 fights.
Christiane ‘Cyborg’ Santos
Athletic and aggressive Santos went 3-0 in the nomination period but it was the last of these victories that gained her the biggest exposure. In the biggest bout in the history of female MMA Santos battered Gina Carano stopping ‘the face of female MMA’ in the first round.
Rosi Sexton
The British fighter Sexton put in an impressive performance against Valerie Coolbaugh at Bellator Fighting Championship 10, winning by armbar in the first round and racking up her fifth consecutive win in the process.
Coach of the Year
Behind every fighter is an individual whose job it is to make sure that when the bell rings for the opening round, they are well prepared and ready to win that fight. Getting a fighter in shape, physically and mentally, and working to create a game plan with them to ensure success is a challenge in itself. Nominate the coach that you think has done the best job with the fighters under their charge for Coach of the Year
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on performances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees can be from ANY weight category.
Nominees can be male or female.
Nominees must have coached at least one professional fighter who has fought at least once between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Mark Dellagrotte
Instrumental in sharpening the skills of fighters such as Kenny Florian and Marcus Davis, East Coast based Dellagrotte has built a reputation as one of the ‘go to’ coaches to take your game to the next level.
Greg Jackson
This year Jackson was responsible for helping Rashad Evans KO Chuck Liddell and win the light heavyweight title, Georges St.Pierre holding onto the welterweight strap and Nate Marquardt scoring 3 KO’s in a row.
Ricardo Liborio
The co-founder of American Top Team overseas the training and development of some of MMA’s top talent including UFC title challenger Thiago Alves and WEC Champion and Fighter of the Year finalist Mike Brown.
Greg Nelson
Nelson’s responsible for turning UFC heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar from an athlete into a fighter – a feat that sees his ward in the finals for both Breakthrough Fighter and Fighter of the year.
Shawn Tompkins
Coach Tompkins works out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas where he’s been responsible for the development of fighters such as Gray Maynard
Ring Girl of the Year
Ever watched a ring girl parade around between rounds and afterwards ask your friends ‘what number was she carrying?’ This award goes to the Ring Girl whose work you’ve enjoyed the most in the last 12 months
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on attendances from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominees must have worked at least one Mixed Martial Arts show within the nomination period.
Arianny Celeste
Edith Labelle
Holly Madison
Logan Stanton
Natasha Wicks
Även alla fem ringflickorna har någon gång/är det inom Zuffa. Det jublas igen inom Zuffa.
Gym of the Year
Whilst MMA isn’t a team sport the old adage ‘as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’ is certainly true when it comes to fighting. A good team and gym will challenge, support and develop fighters helping them reach their full potential. Nominate the gym that you think has done the best job with their fighters this year for this award.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on fighters performance from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Nominee must have produced at least 3 fighters who have fought professional MMA within the nomination period.
American Top Team (ATT)
Black House
Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts
Wolfslair
Xtreme Couture
Best MMA Brand
There’s no doubting that the MMA Industry is becoming a very real phenomenon and some brands – whether they’re promotions, clothing companies or training kit manufacturers – just encompass the ethos of Mixed Martial Arts. Vote for the brand that you think represents the sport best, whether it’s a promotion, manufacturer or media source
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must produce at least one product directly related to MMA.
Bad Boy
Hayabusa
Silverstar
Tapout
UFC
Best Overall MMA Clothing Manufacturer
Like skateboarding before it MMA has evolved into much more than a sport – it represents a lifestyle, and nowhere else is this more apparent than in the MMA clothing market. New manufacturers are starting up at an incredible rate and this award allows you to recognise and award your favourite. From quality of clothing, to originality of design, to value for money – voice your opinion in this category
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must sponsor at least one professional MMA fighter.
Affliction
Silverstar
Tapout
Toe2Toe
One More Round
Best MMA Shorts Manufacturer
Regardless of whether you look for aesthetically pleasing designs or just want something functional a good pair of MMA shorts should be tough enough to sustain the wear and tear of the world’s toughest sport. Recent years has seen shorts evolve in design allowing wearers more flexibility and a better fit than ever before. Vote for your favourite shorts manufacturer in this category
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must produce at least one pair of shorts suitable for MMA competition under Nevada State Athletic Commission rules
ADX
Hayabusa
Sprawl
Tapout
Warrior
Best MMA Glove Manufacturer
There are very few pieces of equipment in MMA more important than a good pair of gloves. The introduction of gloves was one of the pivotal steps in the evolution of MMA, protecting fighters’ hands and reducing the number of fight stopping cuts, allowing the development of the striking aspect of the sport. A good glove needs to allow the user the freedom to grapple as well as strike and be durable too. Nominate your favourite Glove Manufacturer in this category
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must produce at least one pair of gloves suitable for MMA competition under Nevada State Athletic Commission rules.
Everlast MMA
Fairtex
Hayabusa
Triumph United
UFC
Best MMA Media Source
MMA is everywhere you look nowadays but when you want your fix of news, interviews and features – basically everything that happens outside of the fighting – where do you get it from and who gives you it the best? This Award is open to websites, TV shows, magazines and newspapers and should reflect accuracy, timeliness and insight
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on reporting from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.Websites either dedicated to MMA or with their own dedicated MMA section are eligible for this award.
Television and radio shows reporting on MMA are eligible. MMA reality television shows like The Ultimate Fighter are not eligible for voting. Magazines and Newspapers either dedicated to MMA or with their own dedicated MMA section are eligible for this award.Fighters Only were excluded from this category on grounds of impartiality…
Inside MMA
MMA Connected
MMA Junkie
MMA Weekly
Sherdog
Inte MMAnytt.se? Okej, nästa år kanske?
Best MMA Journalist
MMA has enjoyed an unprecedented amount of serious media coverage in the last 12 months as it has made the mainstream transition from ‘feature story’ to ‘sports coverage’. Whilst the amount of MMA coverage has never been so great the quality has never been so high either. Whether it’s the exclusives they provide, the technical insight they give, or anything else that keeps you reading, watching or listening time and again nominate your favourite journalist in this category
Nomination Criteria
Nominations to be based on reporting from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009.
Television, radio, print and web journalists covering MMA are eligible for this award providing they cover MMA at least once a month.
Gareth A. Davies
Veteran sports writer Davies has become a hit with fans worldwide covering MMA on his blogs for the highly respected Telegraph.com
Joe Ferraro
A campaigner for the legalization of MMA in Canada for the last decade, Joe is the host of MMA Connected – a weekly MMA show broadcast by Sportsnet.
Kevin Iole
Award-winning veteran sports writer Kevin Iole is the mixed martial arts reporter for Yahoo! Sports.
Dave Meltzer
Covering the UFC since its first event in 1993, covers MMA for Yahoo! Sports and publishes the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
John Morgan
John Morgan is MMA Junkie’s lead staff reporter and Dallas Morning News MMA Blogger.
Inte varken yours truly eller Martin J?
Säga vad man vill, men Zuffa är de stora vinnarna när det gäller årets nominerade. Vad tycker ni om nomineringarna?
