Mark Coleman & Alex Pereira Among Many Honored at 2024 World MMA Awards

There was a deep pool of candidates for the Charles Lewis Fighter of the Year Award at the 16th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards. There shouldn’t be too much squabbling about which man won the trophy this year. Alex Pereira dominated the light heavyweight division in 2024, defending his championship three times.
The Brazilian striker’s willingness to accept main event spots without a full camp, especially as a champion, is something that MMAfighting latest news shows UFC CEO Dana White has been searching for. Pereira cuts an imposing figure with a charm that makes him a fan favorite. Pereira’s signature moment of the year came at UFC 300.
After absorbing a low blow from former champion Jamahal Hill, Pereira shook off referee Herb Dean to say he wanted to keep fighting. Pereira knocked out Hill seconds later. He also made championship defenses against Jiří Procházka and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The fight against Rountree was a dangerous one, as the lower-ranked American pushed Pereira to the limit. While there is some argument that Ilia Topuria could have been fighter of the year, there should be little argument against Pereira’s crown.
Coleman Lucky to Be Alive

Coleman’s toughness has been highlighted on MMA news sites this year. When his parents were in danger, Coleman responded quickly to prevent a loss of life. Coleman rushed into a burning house to save his parents.
He did get his parents safely out of a house near Toledo, Ohio. However, his dog died in the fire, and Coleman was hospitalized with smoke inhalation. Coleman was well enough to attend UFC 300 as a fan.
Coleman was the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion. At UFC 12, Coleman forced Dan Severn to submit to a scarf hold in February 1997. While Coleman didn’t hang onto the belt long, he would have a number of fights over the next 13 years.
Coleman finished with a 16-10 career record. During Coleman’s last fight, a submission loss to Randy Couture in February 2010, it made history as the first-ever fight between two UFC Hall of Famers.
Coleman was also given the Fighting Spirit Award.
Weili Enjoys Second Reign at the Top

Zhang Weili, 36, would like to be more active in the octagon. Despite only fighting twice, Weili was named the female fighter of the year. At UFC 300, Weili had an epic battle against countrywoman Yan Xiaonan.
The fight went all 25 minutes, but there was some thought that Weili could have won by stoppage before it reached the scorecards. At the end of the first round, Weili had a rear-naked choke that seemed to put Yan out cold.
But referee Jason Herzog didn’t waive off the fight. Weili’s other win during the nomination period was a dominating decision win over Amanda Lemos.
Holloway and Gaethje Get All the Love
The BMF title fight wasn’t necessarily supposed to be the fight everyone left UFC 300 talking about. But it’s hard not to have the image of Max Holloway knocking out Justin Gaethje with one second remaining in the bout burned into your mind. It was amazing to watch it live, and it’s even more incredible to reflect on it.
Holloway was going to win a decision if he just played it safe in the last 10 seconds. But Holloway wanted to give everyone a moment to remember. Instead, Holloway baited Gaethje by pointing to the center of the octagon and telling him to come and trade punches.
In a moment that I will remember as long as I live, Gaethje came forward and traded haymakers. Holloway ended up connecting flush and earning the win right before the bell.
For the amazing finish, the fight between Holloway and Gaethje ended by earning the Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year award. This one didn’t need a vote from a panel. It was a clear choice.
Strickland Changed Future of Middleweight Division
Israel Adesanya slayed a dragon by knocking out Alex Pereira to reclaim his middleweight crown. However, Adesanya’s first title defense ended up being one of the crazier moments in UFC history. The UFC initially wanted him to fight Dricus du Plessis, but he was nursing a foot injury.
Instead, the UFC chose Sean Strickland, a fighter who fights a boring style but gets a lot of attention with his trash talk. Strickland wasn’t considered a serious contender to win the belt. But the battle in the octagon told a different story.
Strickland knocked down Adesanya in the first round and beat him from pillar to post for the rest of the fight. For Strickland’s effort, he was awarded for his upset of the year.
Aspinall Earns Plenty of Hardware
No matter what awards English heavyweight and UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is handed, it isn’t what he is really seeking. Aspinall wants his opportunity to fight for the undisputed belt. While waiting for Jon Jones to return from an injury, Aspinall won the interim belt and defended it against Curtis Blaydes.
For Aspinall’s effort, he was named Breakthrough Fighter of the Year. Aspinall was also given an award for Comeback of the Year. Despite all of this, Aspinall still doesn’t have a championship fight opportunity. The UFC needs to schedule that quickly.
Here are some other award winners not mentioned above:
International Fighter of the Year: Dricus du Plessis
Submission of the Year: Diego Lopes beat Gavin Tucker by triangle armbar
Commentator of the Year: Jon Anik
Analyst of the Year: Michael Bisping
Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year: Plinio Cruz
Trainer of the Year: Ian Larios
Gym of the Year: The Fighting Nerds
Referee of the Year: Herb Dean
Ringcard Girl of the Year: Luciana Andrade
Leading Man: Dana White
Best Promotion: UFC
Personality of the Year: Nian-Marie Danielle
Best MMA Programming: Dana White’s Contender Series
MMA Media Source of the Year: ESPN
MMA Journalist of the Year: Ariel Helwani
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By Dean McHugh.