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The "Charles "Mask" Lewis" Fighter of the Year Award
 
Skill, athleticism, heart, ingenuity aren’t the only qualities we’re looking from your nominations for Fighter of the Year. Who do you think has embodied the spirit of Mixed Martial Arts, showing true character in the face of adversity, over the last twelve months? We’re looking for a true paragon of combat sports – not necessarily the fighter who went undefeated throughout the year, but he who’s put it all on the line, every bout. This is the big one – make sure your vote counts.
 
Outstanding Contribution to MMA
 
MMA’s made a transformation from underground craze to major international sport. There are people who’ve dedicated their lives to this journey. Directly or indirectly so many men and women have worked to improve conditions for MMA athletes and fans today. And with the Outstanding Contribution to MMA Award, their efforts are commended.

This is the only award not to be voted for by the public. A panel of experts put together by Fighters Only will decide who wins this prestigious trophy.
 
Fight of the Year
 
MMA is built on the performance of two fighters locked in conflict, both determined to emerge the victor.
It’s the oldest contest known to man. But the gladiatorial skills of MMA fighters are constantly improving, to the delight of high-spirited audiences and students of the game alike.
Every year we enjoy a heritage of great fights even more inspiring than the one before. Reward the two combatants who’ve risen to this legacy by nominating them in the Fight of the Year category.
KO of the Year
Savage or skilful. Last-gasp – or meticulously prepared. Whether it’s delivered by flying knee or short hook the knockout is the zenith of our sport. Doctors still can’t agree on how a KO works. But we all confer they look awe-inspiring. Nominate your favourite knockout from the last twelve months to secure it in the sport’s history books.
 

Submission of the Year

Ying to the knockout’s yang, submissions put the ‘art’ into mixed martial arts. From staple holds like the rear-naked choke or guillotine, through exotic moves such as the gogoplata and Peruvian necktie, to the ‘chain submissions’ wreaked by jiu-jitsu’s aficionados, the ‘sub’ continues to develop with new and more innovative set-ups emerging year-on-year. Nominate your favourite submission and acclaim the grappling genius of today’s fighters.
Best Promotion
 
Which fight organisation has consistently delivered throughout the year? We’re not just looking for quality of fighters, well matched cards, high quality production values and available programming. The Best Promotion must be a champion brand that’s always innovating and driving the sport forward into an internationally-recognised athletic pursuit. Nominate today.
 

Leading Man of the Year

Taking its name from a regular feature interview in Fighters Only magazine, this award recognises industry professionals rather than the fighters themselves. Breaking down barriers with the mainstream press or the established sporting world, building MMA within popular culture, or working with State Athletic Commissions to ensure the safety of participants, this award goes to the figure that you think has made the largest positive impact on mixed martial arts. Promoters, presenters, referees, designers and manufacturers are examples of the MMA family members appreciated by the Leading Man trophy.
 
International Fighter of the Year
 
The majority of today’s dominant MMA athletes were forged in the North and South American continents. But, to quote Dana White, ours is a “truly global sport”. And we believe that the efforts of fighters from Asia, Europe, Australasia and Africa should be encouraged. Nominations can be for any fighter with a clearly appropriate background regardless of where they train, or where they’ve fought throughout the year.
 
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Breakthrough Fighter of the Year

Some fresh fighters may lack finesse but make up for it with their hunger to impress and succeed. Others display an artistry which prompts discussion of a new revolutionary force within the sport. This award acknowledges the champions of the future. The Breakthrough Fighter of the Year is a trophy for the up-and-coming athlete who you believe has made the greatest impact on the sport in the last twelve months.
 

Female Fighter of the Year

The formidable fighting women beloved of movie producers are now a reality. Female MMA is no longer a niche within a niche. It’s now more accessible than ever before and the standard has never been higher with legitimate stars coming up the rankings. Technique, vigour and strength of character are hardly exclusive to men. Nominate your favourite female fighter and give them the recognition that they deserve.
 

Coach of the Year

No sport relies purely on the raw potential of its athletes. Behind every competing fighter is an individual whose vocation is to ensure that their warrior is as prepared as possible to win the bout. There’s already a culture of deserved respect around these redoubtable gurus of our sport. But Coach of the Year goes to the mentor that you think has most sincerely fulfilled their responsibilities to the fighters under their charge.
 

Gym of the Year

Like UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture’s single tattoo alludes to, ‘as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’. The ideal gym will challenge, support and develop fighters. It’s not just about the head coach, but atmosphere, facilities, and spirit. Whatever its methods, character, or success rate nominate the gym that you think has done the best job with their fighters this year.
 

Ring Girl of the Year

MMA boasts female fighters, referees, and doctors. But it’s still impossible to forget our ring girls, adding a necessary dose of glamour to every event. This award goes to the Ring Girl whose sterling and indefatigable work you’ve enjoyed most in the last twelve months.
 

Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand

An entire industry has sprung up around MMA’s sporting revolution. Passionate enthusiasts and shrewd entrepreneurs alike have harnessed their enthusiasm for MMA and created hugely successful businesses with products beloved of fans. Nowhere is this pioneering spirit more recognisable than in the MMA clothing market. This year there’s more variety to choose from than ever, with the sector rapidly expanding and producing designs to every fan’s taste. Like surfing or skateboarding before it, MMA is more than simply physical activity, it’s a lifestyle. Vote for the clothing brand that not only represents the sport best, it helps expand and evolve it too.
 

Referee of the Year (New Category)

MMA’s officials are in a unique, and not always enviable, position in sports. Coping with new and evolving rules, on-the-spot interpretations, and, most vitally of all, the safety of the fighters in their care, are just some of the intense demands made of our referees. Show the men and women in black some much-deserved respect and recognition by giving your voice to our new Referee of the Year trophy.
 

Most Memorable Ring Entrance (New Category)

Showmanship is a part of any spectator sport. And nowhere is it more visible than in a fighter’s entrance to the gladiatorial arena – every walk-in is a drama dripping with anticipation. From intensity to joie de vivre, the sublime to the ridiculous, award the fighter you think makes the greatest initial impression with our suitably sparkling new Entrance of the Year award.
 

Best Technical Equipment Brand (New Category)

This award recognises one of the fastest-growing sectors within MMA – the very tools we need to train and fight. Whether producing gloves, pads, mats or gumshields, the technical sporting sector isn’t just intrinsic to MMA - it reflects its rapid evolution into a respected and revered athletic discipline. From innovation to reliability, comfort to style, we place enormous demands on our equipment. Give something back by nominating your hero brand today.
 
Best Technical Clothing Brand (New Category)
 
Like Equipment, technical clothing is vital and important to any fighter. Style, comfort and protection are only a few reasons as to why people choose the products they do. Shorts, Rash Guards, Vests and Gi’s are essential for the protection and modesty of today’s athletes. Please vote for the branLike Equipment, technical clothing is vital and important to any fighter. Style, comfort and protection are only a few reasons as to why people choose the products they do. Shorts, Rash Guards, Vests and Gi’s are essential for the protection and modesty of today’s athletes. Please vote for the brand whose range of products this year have pleased you the most.
 

Media Source of The Year

This great sport of ours is blessed with a plethora of media sources. Websites and magazines once viewed as little more than committed have grown into robust examples of journalism. Meanwhile, the established media is making its first forays into mixed martial arts, sometimes with considerable success. This award is open to websites, TV shows, magazines and newspapers and should reflect accuracy, timeliness and insight.
 

MMA Journalist of the Year

MMA has made the mainstream transition from 'feature story' to 'sports coverage'. Whilst the amount of MMA journalism has never been so great the quality continues to rise too. Whether it's the exclusives they provide, the technical insight they give, the wry observations they make, or anything else that keeps you reading, watching, logging on or listening time and again, nominate your must-read journalist in this category.
 
 

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