World MMA Awards return tonight after year-long hiatus

The Fighters Only World MMA Awards are back from the dead tonight after disappearing for over a year.

The 17th Annual ceremony goes live from SAHARA Theatre in Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m. ET, streaming globally on Rumble for the first time, MMA Mania reports. Chael Sonnen returns as host for an event that was originally scheduled for December 2025 but never happened, leaving the long-running awards show in limbo until Fighters Only resurfaced a few weeks ago.

Awards will cover outdated nomination period from 2024-25

The timing creates an awkward situation. Tonight's awards will recognize performances from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, meaning fans are voting on year-old knockouts and storylines already buried by the current MMA calendar. Fighters Only reportedly plans additional recognitions for the rest of 2025 to get the show back on an annual schedule for the first time since 2018.

Magomed Ankalaev, Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja, Gadzhi Rabadanov, and Ilia Topuria are up for Fighter of the Year. Dakota Ditcheva appears twice, nominated for both Female Fighter of the Year and Breakthrough Fighter of the Year. Jack Della Maddalena versus Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 is among the Fight of the Year nominees.

The Fighting Spirit Award finalists include Ben Askren for his fight against life-threatening illness, Jeff Brady for sacrificing his life to save two children, and Francis Ngannou for continuing his career after losing a child. Full nominations span 25 categories from Knockout of the Year to Ringcard Girl of the Year.

The awards show streams tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET on Rumble.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Watch The 17th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards TONIGHT!