MMA Royalty
While the major mixed martial arts promotions are finalising their 2023 schedules, there are already UFC, Bellator, PFL and ONE Championship 2023 award winners.
Honorable Mentions
- Impa Kasanganay - PFL Light Heavyweight Champion
- Alexandre Pantoja - UFC Flyweight Champion
- Alex Pereira - UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
5. Tom Aspinall - Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion
Aspinall's comeback journey included a swift knockout of Marcin Tybura and seizing the interim title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich on short notice.
The photo was taken from the official Instagram account - Tom Aspinall (@tomaspinallofficial)
4. Patchy Mix - Bellator Bantamweight Champion
Mix's impressive year featured a dominant knee-induced win over Raufeon Stots for the interim title and a unification victory against Sergio Pettis.
3. Islam Makhachev - UFC Lightweight Champion
Makhachev solidified his lightweight reign with memorable victories, including a compelling win over Alexander Volkanovski and a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira.
2. Leon Edwards - UFC Welterweight Champion
Edwards silenced doubters with wins over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, extending his unbeaten run and further establishing his welterweight supremacy.
1. Sean Strickland - UFC Middleweight Champion
Strickland's exceptional year included victories over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov, but it was his stunning upset against Israel Adesanya that earned him the Performance of the Year and the title of Male Fighter of the Year.
