Home of Fight | 2024 Awards
2024 MMA Awards
As 2024 comes to an end, the Home of Fight staff voted on the best of the best for this year. The Home of Fight 2024 Award nominees boast a stellar lineup of talent, showcasing the incredible depth and excitement within the sport.
The “Prospect of the Year” category is a fierce battleground, with rising stars like Carlos Prates, Oban Elliott, and Payton Talbott vying for recognition. Prates, in particular, has generated immense hype with his dominant performances and electrifying fighting style.
The “Fighter of the Year” award is arguably the most coveted prize. Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, and Islam Makhachev are considered front-runners, each having delivered spectacular performances throughout the year.
The “Non-champ Fighter of the Year” category highlights those who excelled outside of championship contention. Renato Moicano and Diego Lopes have emerged as strong contenders, demonstrating consistent excellence and captivating fight styles.
The “Female Fighter of the Year” award is expected to be a close contest between reigning champions like Valentina Shevchenko and rising stars like Dakota Ditcheva.
The “Gym of the Year” award recognizes the hard work and dedication of top-tier training facilities. The Fighting Nerds, American Top Team, and Nurmagomedov MMA School are all contenders for this prestigious honor.
These are just a few of the exciting categories that will be featured at the Home of Fight 2024 Awards. Let’s take a look at the official results and witness the celebration of MMA’s finest.

Ilia Topuria | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Fighter of the Year – Ilia Topuria
- Fans Pick – Alex Pereira
Ilia Topuria was awarded the 2024 Fighter of the Year for his extraordinary achievements in the UFC featherweight division. At just 27 years old, he delivered two historic knockouts against legendary fighters Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, becoming the first fighter to stop both in their prime.
His second-round knockout of Volkanovski ended the champion’s four-year reign. At the same time, his third-round finish of Holloway was unprecedented, as no one had ever stopped the BMF champion with strikes before. Topuria’s dominant performances, undefeated record, and charismatic persona solidified his status as the year’s most impressive fighter.

Carlos Prates Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Prospect of the Year – Carlos Prates
- Fans Pick – Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates emerged as the 2024 Prospect of the Year after a phenomenal breakthrough season in the UFC welterweight division. The Brazilian fighter went an incredible 4-0, with each victory coming by knockout and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Prates transformed from an unknown Dana White’s Contender Series signee to a ranked fighter, knocking out respected veterans like Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, and Neil Magny.
His striking prowess and explosive performances catapulted him from unranked to the UFC’s No. 13 welterweight, showcasing remarkable potential and earning him recognition as the year’s most impressive newcomer. His rapid rise and devastating knockouts made him a true breakout star in 2024.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Non-champ Fighter of the Year – Renato Moicano
- Fans Pick – Diego Lopes
Renato Moicano’s remarkable 2024 campaign solidified his status as the 2024 Non-Champion Fighter of the Year through an extraordinary run of performances. He secured four consecutive victories, including a dominant knockout win over Jalin Turner, a dominant decision over Drew Dober, and a brutal second-round TKO against hometown hero Benoit Saint-Denis in Paris.
Moicano’s fearless approach and “don’t care” mentality translated into spectacular finishes, showcasing his evolution as a lightweight contender. His technical prowess, combined with a six-fight win streak and five stoppages in the lightweight division, demonstrated his elite skill set and potential to challenge for championship contention, making him a standout performer in the UFC’s most competitive weight class.
Dakota Ditcheva | ESPN
Female Fighter of the Year – Dakota Ditcheva
- Fans Pick – Valentina Shevchenko
Dakota Ditcheva was awarded the 2024 Female Fighter of the Year for her groundbreaking achievements in the PFL. At just 26 years old, she became the youngest PFL world champion after a dominant season, culminating in a second-round TKO victory over former UFC contender Taila Santos.
This win not only marked her as the first fighter to finish Santos but also highlighted her remarkable skill set, as she secured four consecutive victories throughout the year, all by knockout. Ditcheva’s impressive undefeated record of 14-0, with 12 wins by knockout, positions her as a rising star in women’s MMA and a formidable competitor.
Pablo Sucupira | Fighting Nerds
Gym of the Year – The Fighting Nerds
- Fans Pick – The Fighting Nerds
The Fighting Nerds earned the prestigious 2024 Gym of the Year award for their extraordinary success and rapid rise in the UFC. Their fighters achieved an impressive 13-3 record in the octagon, with standout performances from Carlos Prates, who went 4-0 with four knockouts, and Jean Silva, who secured three KO victories. Caio Borralho and Mauricio Ruffy also contributed with undefeated years.
The team’s success extended beyond individual achievements, as they produced six UFC contracts from seven Dana White’s Contender Series appearances. Their unique blend of technical prowess, exciting fighting styles, and memorable branding with their signature taped-up nerd glasses made them a dominant force in 2024.

Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports
SUB of the Year – Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
- Fans Pick – Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker
Islam Makhachev was awarded the 2024 Submission of the Year for his stunning performance against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, where he executed a perfectly timed D’Arce choke in the fifth round. This submission not only showcased Makhachev’s elite grappling skills but also demonstrated his ability to maintain composure under pressure during a thrilling title fight.
Despite facing a resilient opponent, Makhachev’s relentless pursuit of control and strategic grappling led to the decisive finish, marking his third successful title defense. This victory solidified Makhachev’s status as one of the most dangerous submission artists in MMA, making his win a standout moment of the year.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
KO of the Year – Holloway x Gaethje
- Fans Pick – Holloway x Gaethje
Max Holloway was awarded the 2024 Knockout of the Year for his breathtaking finish of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, a moment that captivated fans worldwide. With just one second remaining in the fifth round, Holloway unleashed a perfectly timed right hook that rendered Gaethje unconscious, marking a historic end to an intense back-and-forth battle.
This knockout not only showcased Holloway’s striking prowess but also his willingness to engage in a high-risk exchange despite leading on the scorecards. The dramatic nature of the finish, combined with the stakes of the BMF title fight, solidified this moment as one of the most iconic in MMA history.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Fight of the Year – Islam x Poirier
- Fans Pick – Zellhuber x Ribovics
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier’s UFC 302 lightweight title fight was awarded 2024 Fight of the Year for its extraordinary display of heart, skill, and championship-level drama. The five-round thriller saw Poirier push Makhachev to his absolute limits, landing devastating body shots and showing incredible takedown defense against the dominant champion.
Makhachev ultimately secured victory with a late fifth-round D’Arce choke, but not before surviving a grueling battle that tested his pound-for-pound status. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night bonuses, with Poirier proving himself a worthy challenger and Makhachev demonstrating why he’s considered the most complete lightweight in the world.

REUTERS | John Sibley
Performance of the Year – Muhammad vs. Edwards
- Fans Pick – Yan vs. Figueiredo
Belal Muhammad was awarded the 2024 Performance of the Year for his impressive championship victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304. In a highly anticipated rematch, Muhammad showcased a masterful blend of grappling and striking, dominating the fight from start to finish. He executed multiple takedowns, including a stunning slam that left Edwards momentarily stunned, while also landing significant strikes that kept the champion on the defensive. The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in favor of Muhammad, marking his ascent to welterweight champion. This victory not only avenged their previous no-contest but also solidified Muhammad’s place in UFC history.
Marc Goddard | UFC
Referee of the Year – Marc Goddard
- Fans Pick – Herb Dean
Marc Goddard was awarded the 2024 Referee of the Year for his exceptional officiating in high-stakes MMA bouts, demonstrating unparalleled professionalism and skill. His performance during the championship fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 was particularly noteworthy, as he navigated the intense action with precision, ensuring fighter safety while allowing the bout to unfold naturally.
Goddard’s ability to make split-second decisions under pressure has earned him respect from fighters and fans alike. His extensive experience and dedication to maintaining the integrity of the sport solidified his reputation as one of the top referees in MMA today.

Fighters Only | MMA
Commentator of the year – Jon Anik
- Fans Pick – Jon Anik
Jon Anik was awarded the 2024 Commentator of the Year for his outstanding contributions to MMA commentary, particularly during high-profile UFC events. His insightful analysis and engaging play-by-play narration have consistently elevated the viewing experience for fans, showcasing his deep understanding of the sport. Anik’s ability to articulate the nuances of each fight, combined with his energetic delivery, has made him a favorite among audiences.
His historic win as the first-ever recipient of the Commentator of the Year award at the World MMA Awards underscores his influence and dedication to the sport, solidifying his legacy as a premier voice in MMA.
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