Light Heavyweight (205)
[#7] Thiago Santos (20-6-0) vs. [#10] Jan Blachowicz (23-7-0)
Jan Blachowicz is the All-Time #50 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Thiago Santos (3-0-0)
2018-12-08: W vs. [#21LHW] Jimi Manuwa (17-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:41 of round 2
2018-09-22: W vs. [#34MW] Eryk Anders (11-3-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 5:00 of round 3
2018-08-04: W vs. [#80MW] Kevin Holland (14-4-0) via UD (29-27, 29-26, 29-27)

Last 3 Fights: Jan Blachowicz (3-0-0)
2018-09-15: W vs. [#24LHW] Nikita Krylov (24-6-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:41 of round 2
2018-03-17: W vs. [#21LHW] Jimi Manuwa (17-5-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2017-12-16: W vs. [#10MW] Jared Cannonier (11-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Elo Favorite (Standard): Thiago Santos (1987.74) [+90.57] – Win%: 60.20
Elo Favorite (Modified): Thiago Santos (1990.61) [+64.27] – Win%: 56.99
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Thiago Santos 77, Jan Blachowicz 161
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (265)
[#27] Stefan Struve (28-11-0) vs. [#50] Marcos Rogerio de Lima (16-5-1)

Last 3 Fights: Stefan Struve (0-3-0)
2018-07-22: L vs. [#17HW+] Marcin Tybura (17-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2018-03-03: L vs. [#34HW+] Andrei Arlovski (27-18-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2017-09-02: L vs. [#9HW+] Alexander Volkov (30-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:30 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Marcos Rogerio de Lima (2-1-0)
2018-11-03: W vs. [#80HW+] Adam Wieczorek (10-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-04-22: L vs. [#19LHW] Ovince St. Preux (23-12-0) via Submission (Shoulder Choke) in 2:11 of round 2
2017-01-28: W vs. [#80LHW] Jeremy Kimball (16-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:27 of round 1

Elo Favorite (Standard): Marcos Rogerio de Lima (1629.95) [+76.67] – Win%: 58.67
Elo Favorite (Modified): Marcos Rogerio de Lima (1662.24) [+54.06] – Win%: 55.89
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Stefan Struve 216, Marcos Rogerio de Lima 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Light Heavyweight (205)
[#34] Gian Villante (17-10-0) vs. [#59] Michal Oleksiejczuk (14-2-0)

Last 3 Fights: Gian Villante (2-1-0)
2018-10-27: W vs. [#60LHW] Ed Herman (23-14-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2018-06-01: L vs. [#23LHW] Sam Alvey (33-12-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2018-01-20: W vs. [#38HW+] Francimar Barroso (22-7-1) via SD (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)

Last 3 Fights: Michal Oleksiejczuk (3-0-0)
2017-12-30: W vs. [#78LHW] Khalil Rountree (7-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-05-12: W vs. [#150LHW] Riccardo Nosiglia (7-1-0) via TKO in 1:39 of round 1
2017-04-01: W vs. [#347LHW] Charles Andrade (34-42-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:00 of round 1

Elo Favorite (Standard): Gian Villante (1652.60) [+61.93] – Win%: 57.03
Elo Favorite (Modified): Gian Villante (1640.57) [+9.57] – Win%: 51.05
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Gian Villante 119, Michal Oleksiejczuk 420
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (265)
[#3] Francis Ngannou (12-3-0, +175) vs. [*] Cain Velasquez (14-2-0, -217)
Francis Ngannou is the All-Time #32 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Cain Velasquez is the All-Time #3 ranked Heavyweight and #20 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Francis Ngannou (1-2-0)
2018-11-24: W vs. [#6HW+] Curtis Blaydes (10-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:45 of round 1
2018-07-07: L vs. [#4HW+] Derrick Lewis (21-6-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2018-01-20: L vs. [#2HW+/#10P4P] Stipe Miocic (18-3-0) via UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)

Last 3 Fights: Cain Velasquez (2-1-0)
2016-07-09: W vs. [*] Travis Browne (18-7-1) via TKO in 4:57 of round 1
2015-06-13: L vs. [*] Fabricio Werdum (23-8-1) via SUB in 2:13 of round 3
2013-10-19: W vs. [#8HW+] Junior dos Santos (20-5-0) via TKO (Slam and Punch) in 3:09 of round 5

Odds Favorite (Implied): Cain Velasquez – Win%: 65.30
Elo Favorite (Standard): Cain Velasquez (2092.67) [+170.04] – Win%: 68.50
Elo Favorite (Modified): Cain Velasquez (2122.02) [+203.87] – Win%: 70.94
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Francis Ngannou 85, Cain Velasquez 953
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Lightweight (155)
[#16] Paul Felder (15-4-0, -134) vs. [#21] James Vick (13-2-0, +108)

Last 3 Fights: Paul Felder (2-1-0)
2018-07-07: L vs. [#27WW] Mike Perry (12-4-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2017-12-02: W vs. [#10LW] Charles Oliveira (26-8-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 4:06 of round 2
2017-07-16: W vs. [#55LW] Stevie Ray (22-8-0) via KO (Elbows) in 3:57 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: James Vick (2-1-0)
2018-08-25: L vs. [#12LW] Justin Gaethje (19-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:27 of round 1
2018-02-18: W vs. [#22LW] Francisco Trinaldo (23-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-11-04: W vs. [*] Joseph Duffy (16-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Paul Felder – Win%: 54.35
Elo Favorite (Standard): James Vick (1906.18) [+110.12] – Win%: 62.32
Elo Favorite (Modified): James Vick (1876.06) [+32.15] – Win%: 53.51
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Paul Felder 225, James Vick 176
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: James Vick leads 1-0
.

Women Strawweight (115)
[#12] Cynthia Calvillo (7-1-0, -284) vs. [#14] Cortney Casey-Sanchez (8-6-0, +225)

Last 3 Fights: Cynthia Calvillo (2-1-0)
2018-11-17: W vs. [#29SW] Poliana Botelho (7-2-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:48 of round 1
2017-12-30: L vs. [#11SW] Carla Esparza (13-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-07-16: W vs. [#10FLY] Joanne Calderwood (13-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Cortney Casey-Sanchez (1-2-0)
2018-08-25: W vs. [#16SW] Angela Hill (8-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
2018-04-14: L vs. [#9SW] Michelle Waterson (16-6-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-12-02: L vs. [#17SW] Felice Herrig (14-8-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Cynthia Calvillo – Win%: 70.61
Elo Favorite (Standard): Cynthia Calvillo (1536.11) [+96.63] – Win%: 60.86
Elo Favorite (Modified): Cynthia Calvillo (1588.36) [+112.20] – Win%: 62.04
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cynthia Calvillo 92, Cortney Casey-Sanchez 176
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Cynthia Calvillo leads 2-0
.

Bantamweight (135)
[#2] Marlon Moraes (21-5-1, -213) vs. [#6] Raphael Assuncao (27-5-0, +171)
Marlon Moraes is the All-Time #9 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Raphael Assuncao is the All-Time #19 ranked Bantamweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Marlon Moraes (3-0-0)
2018-06-01: W vs. [#7BW] Jimmie Rivera (22-2-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 0:33 of round 1
2017-12-09: W vs. [#8BW] Aljamain Sterling (16-3-0) via KO (Knee) in 1:07 of round 1
2017-11-11: W vs. [#10BW] John Dodson (20-10-0) via SD (30-27, 30-27, 27-30)

Last 3 Fights: Raphael Assuncao (3-0-0)
2018-07-07: W vs. [#15BW] Rob Font (16-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-11-11: W vs. [#72BW] Matthew Lopez (10-4-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:50 of round 3
2017-06-03: W vs. [#2BW] Marlon Moraes (21-5-1) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Marlon Moraes – Win%: 64.84
Elo Favorite (Standard): Marlon Moraes (2086.25) [+35.28] – Win%: 54.02
Elo Favorite (Modified): Marlon Moraes (2061.39) [+81.22] – Win%: 58.80
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Marlon Moraes 246, Raphael Assuncao 210
Previous Match-up Record: Raphael Assuncao leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Featherweight (145)
[#2] Jose Aldo (27-4-0, +110) vs. [#9] Renato Carneiro (13-1-1, -136)
Jose Aldo is the All-Time #1 ranked Featherweight and #2 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jose Aldo (1-2-0)
2018-07-28: W vs. [#7FW] Jeremy Stephens (28-15-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:19 of round 1
2017-12-02: L vs. [#1FW/#2DD/#4P4P] Max Holloway (20-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:51 of round 3
2017-06-03: L vs. [#1FW/#2DD/#4P4P] Max Holloway (20-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:13 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Renato Carneiro (2-1-0)
2018-08-04: W vs. [#19FW] Cub Swanson (25-10-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:15 of round 1
2018-04-07: W vs. [#29FW] Calvin Kattar (19-3-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-07-29: L vs. [#3FW] Brian Ortega (14-1-0) via SUB in 2:59 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Renato Carneiro – Win%: 54.75
Elo Favorite (Standard): Jose Aldo (2132.84) [+170.56] – Win%: 68.55
Elo Favorite (Modified): Jose Aldo (2121.57) [+219.02] – Win%: 72.29
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jose Aldo 189, Renato Carneiro 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Welterweight (170)
[#14] Demian Maia (25-9-0, -174) vs. [#54] Lyman Good (20-4-0, +144)
Demian Maia is the All-Time #15 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Demian Maia (0-3-0)
2018-05-19: L vs. [#3WW] Kamaru Usman (14-1-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2017-10-28: L vs. [#2WW] Colby Covington (14-1-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
2017-07-29: L vs. [#1WW/#4DD/#6P4P] Tyron Woodley (19-3-1) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Lyman Good (2-1-0)
2018-11-03: W vs. [#76WW] Ben Saunders (22-11-2) via KO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 1
2017-07-22: L vs. [#31WW] Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (20-5-0) via SD (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)
2015-07-15: W vs. [*] Andrew Craig (9-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:37 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Demian Maia – Win%: 60.77
Elo Favorite (Standard): Demian Maia (1939.53) [+247.39] – Win%: 75.59
Elo Favorite (Modified): Demian Maia (1925.07) [+170.27] – Win%: 67.82
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Demian Maia 259, Lyman Good 91
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Upon reading a post on Reddit recently about the subject, I was inspired to investigate this stat.

Fighters who have the most wins over undefeated opponents

Including debuting opponents

89 – Travis Fulton
37 – Dan Severn
25 – Jose Maria Tome
24 – Alexey Oleynik
23 – Igor Vovchanchyn
22 – Luis Santos
21 – Shannon Ritch
21 – Adrian Serrano
21 – Dennis Hallman
21 – Tiago Monaco Tosato

Only undefeated opponents w/ previous win(s)

24 – Travis Fulton
14 – Dan Severn
12 – Igor Vovchanchyn
12 – Adrian Serrano
11 – Miodrag Petkovic
10 – Alexey Oleynik

Only undefeated opponents w/ 5+ previous win(s)

6 – Steven Siler
5 – Carlo Prater
5 – Roger Huerta
5 – Mickael Lebout
5 – Lyoto Machida

Heavyweight (265)
[#5] Ryan Bader (26-5-0, -366) vs. [#19] Fedor Emelianenko (38-5-0, +280)
Fedor Emelianenko is the All-Time #1 ranked Heavyweight and #5 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ryan Bader (3-0-0)
2018-10-12: W vs. [#13HW+] Matt Mitrione (13-6-0) via UD (30-25, 30-24, 30-25)
2018-05-12: W vs. [#28LHW] Muhammed Lawal (21-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:15 of round 1
2017-11-03: W vs. [#13LHW] Linton Vassell (18-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:58 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Fedor Emelianenko (2-1-0)
2018-10-13: W vs. [#29HW+] Chael Sonnen (30-16-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:46 of round 1
2018-04-28: W vs. [#62HW+] Frank Mir (18-13-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:48 of round 1
2017-06-24: L vs. [#13HW+] Matt Mitrione (13-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:14 of round 1

Odds Favorite (Implied): Ryan Bader – Win%: 74.89
Elo Favorite (Standard): Ryan Bader (2260.70) [+295.31] – Win%: 79.40
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ryan Bader (2214.39) [+241.57] – Win%: 74.22
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ryan Bader 106, Fedor Emelianenko 105
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Ryan Bader leads 1-0
.

Featherweight (145)
[#31] Henry Corrales (16-3-0) vs. [#42] Aaron Pico (4-1-0)

Last 3 Fights: Henry Corrales (3-0-0)
2018-10-13: W vs. [#147FW] Andy Main (12-4-1) via TKO (Punches) in 2:08 of round 3
2018-01-20: W vs. [#32FW] Georgi Karakhanyan (29-8-1) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-08-25: W vs. [#81FW] Noad Lahat (13-4-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Aaron Pico (3-0-0)
2018-09-29: W vs. [#91FW] Leandro Higo (18-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:19 of round 1
2018-05-12: W vs. [#446FW] Lee Morrison (19-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:10 of round 1
2018-01-20: W vs. [#986FW] Shane Kruchten (12-4-0) via KO (Punch to the Body) in 0:37 of round 1

Elo Favorite (Standard): Henry Corrales (1758.86) [+249.24] – Win%: 75.75
Elo Favorite (Modified): Henry Corrales (1774.59) [+186.38] – Win%: 69.34
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Henry Corrales 105, Aaron Pico 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (265)
[NA] J.W. Kiser (1-1-0) vs. [NA] Jake Hager (DEBUT)

Last 3 Fights: J.W. Kiser (1-1-0)
2018-12-01: W vs. [] TBA/Unknown () via TKO in 3:43 of round 1
2018-05-05: L vs. [#449HW+] Antonio Martinez (2-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:24 of round 1

Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Flyweight Championship (125)
[#1BW/#3DD/#5P4P] T.J. Dillashaw (16-3-0, 124.6lb, -219) vs. [#1/#5DD/#6P4P] Henry Cejudo (13-2-0, 124.4lb, +177)
T.J. Dillashaw is the All-Time #35 ranked Absolute fighter.
Henry Cejudo is the All-Time #7 ranked Flyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: T.J. Dillashaw (3-0-0)
2018-08-04: W vs. [#3BW] Cody Garbrandt (11-2-0) via KO (Knee and Punches) in 4:10 of round 1
2017-11-04: W vs. [#3BW] Cody Garbrandt (11-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:41 of round 2
2016-12-30: W vs. [#5BW] John Lineker (31-8-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Last 3 Fights: Henry Cejudo (3-0-0)
2018-08-04: W vs. [#2FLY/#6DD/#7P4P] Demetrious Johnson (27-3-1) via SD (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
2017-12-02: W vs. [#55BW] Sergio Pettis (17-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-09-09: W vs. [#10FLY] Wilson Reis (23-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:25 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): T.J. Dillashaw – Win%: 65.53
Elo Favorite (Standard): T.J. Dillashaw (2184.33) [+139.97] – Win%: 65.46
Elo Favorite (Modified): T.J. Dillashaw (2170.38) [+210.59] – Win%: 71.54
Days Since Last Pro Fight: T.J. Dillashaw 168, Henry Cejudo 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (264)
[#162] Greg Hardy (3-0-0, 264.0lb, -535) vs. [#169] Allen Crowder (9-3-0, 252.6lb, +386)

Last 3 Fights: Greg Hardy (3-0-0)
2018-09-29: W vs. [NA] Ray Jones (0-1-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:53 of round 1
2018-08-07: W vs. [#375HW+] Tebaris Gordon (3-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:17 of round 1
2018-06-12: W vs. [#367HW+] Austen Lane (4-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:57 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Allen Crowder (2-1-0)
2017-12-02: L vs. [#11HW+] Justin Willis (8-1-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:33 of round 1
2017-08-29: W vs. [#133HW+] Dontale Mayes (6-2-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:12 of round 3
2017-05-20: W vs. [*] Robert Neal (4-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:24 of round 1

Odds Favorite (Implied): Greg Hardy – Win%: 80.36
Elo Favorite (Standard): Allen Crowder (1295.04) [+10.69] – Win%: 51.22
Elo Favorite (Modified): Greg Hardy (1455.17) [+108.54] – Win%: 61.66
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Greg Hardy 112, Allen Crowder 413
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Lightweight (155)
[#19] Yancy Medeiros (15-5-0, 155.4lb, +384) vs. [#43] Gregor Gillespie (12-0-0, 155.2lb, -531)

Last 3 Fights: Yancy Medeiros (2-1-0)
2018-02-18: L vs. [#14WW] Donald Cerrone (34-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:58 of round 1
2017-12-02: W vs. [#20WW] Alex Oliveira (20-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 2:02 of round 3
2017-06-03: W vs. [#91WW] Erick Silva (20-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:01 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Gregor Gillespie (3-0-0)
2018-06-01: W vs. [#100LW] Vinc Pichel (11-2-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 4:06 of round 2
2018-01-27: W vs. [#42FW] Jordan Rinaldi (14-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:46 of round 1
2017-09-16: W vs. [*] Jason Gonzalez (11-4-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:11 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Gregor Gillespie – Win%: 80.28
Elo Favorite (Standard): Gregor Gillespie (1837.96) [+7.26] – Win%: 50.83
Elo Favorite (Modified): Gregor Gillespie (1830.40) [+16.73] – Win%: 51.83
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Yancy Medeiros 335, Gregor Gillespie 232
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

With the recent acquisitions of Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson, One Championship signed two proven legends still in their prime, or at worst, not far removed from it.

That’s the good part.  The bad part is that this may be the start of a trend — one that sees mid to mid-late career high profile fighters leave the UFC for a smooth descent to their careers.

Many will likely see this as a positive, mostly because UFC is a bit of a monopoly as it pertains to the upper echelon of the sport.  However, monopolies can be good in a sport where matchmaking on the lesser levels of the sport is mediocre at best.

This type of lackluster matchmaking is truly on display in Alvarez’s and Johnson’s next fights, neither of which are coming back from major injury or inactivity.

Last 4 Opponents + OneFC Scheduled Bouts

Historical ranks used are from the Generated Historical Rankings set previous to the bout.

Now, I don’t know about you… but it feels like something is wrong with this picture.

Not only is OneFC headquartered on the opposite side of the globe and not only are they responsible for their wonky divisional structure that nobody really 100% understands (at least not the last time I looked) but the opposition quality that Alvarez & Johnson are facing is extremely lacking.  This isn’t the type of crappy matchmaking that plagues the lower levels of MMA — it is far worse.  I seriously doubt that a commission would sanction this match anywhere in the US, outside of say.. one located on a Native American reservation in Montana.

Boxing catches grief, because giant favorites are a common theme, especially on undercards.  MMA is not boxing and upsets happen much more frequently.  I have intimate knowledge of the rating system and database over at BoxRec, as well as the ones used here, obviously, and I estimate that upsets on the relevant level happen about 2.5 times as much in MMA, than they do in boxing.  Having said that, what happens if Alvarez or Johnson lose?  After all, shit happens.  What happens if they win?  Who cares?

I hope the money is worth it.

As a recap, most “Fighter of the Year” awards on other sites are really “Breakout Fighter of the Year” awards in that fighters who win, were usually not top fighters in the beginning of the year, but became so by the end of the year.

A fighter like this can and has won our FotY awards, but our award is more about maintaining a high standing during the award year by performing well a sufficient number of times and against a sufficient quality of opponents.  It is more comparable to a season MVP in major team sports, not a playoffs/surprise MVP.

Winner: Daniel Cormier

I like easy decisions.  Cormier picked up three wins, all in title fights and is now a double champion.  What more can you ask for?

Runner-Up: Khabib Nurmagomedov

After Cormier, it gets fuzzy.. you’re basically looking for fighters with two or more wins in major title fights and Nurmagomedov fits the bill.

3rd Place: Dustin Poirier

Wins over two highly ranked fighters in a calendar year is a larger rarity than you might think and I hate considering fighters for such a distinction if they only fought once.  Poirier had about as good of year as you can, without challenging for or defending a major title.

As a recap, most “Fighter of the Year” awards on other sites are really “Breakout Fighter of the Year” awards in that fighters who win, were usually not top fighters in the beginning of the year, but became so by the end of the year.

A fighter like this can and has won our FotY awards, but our award is more about maintaining a high standing during the award year by performing well a sufficient number of times and against a sufficient quality of opponents.  It is more comparable to a season MVP in major team sports, not a playoffs/surprise MVP.

Winner: Amanda Nunes

Only two fights in the calendar year, but is now a double champion and cemented her place in the Top 3 All-Time (Women).

Runner-Up: Valentina Shevchenko

Like Nunes, she only fought twice in 2018, but also like Nunes, beat one of the best female fighters of all-time and picked up a championship in doing so.

3rd Place: Jessica Andrade

The third position isn’t as definitive as the top two, as you argue other fighters here, such as Ayaka Hamasaki.  However, Andrade has probably established herself as the best non-champion on the female side of the sport.

Men: Rafal Kijanczuk

You can’t argue with a 7-0 record in a calendar year and his opposition has been very good for a rookie fighter.  We got the most recent win in the DB just a few minutes ago, so I expect him to get in or near the Top 100 on the next update.

Honorable Mentions: Khamzat Chimaev

Women: Kayla Harrison

It is tough to get excited over a fighter without an officially recognized division, but her 2018 performances have been good enough to net her this award.

Honorable Mention: Kay Hansen