Most Improved Fighter of the Year: Volkan Oezdemir
With an ascent similar to that of Junior dos Santos, Oezdemir came out of nowhere to become a title contender in the UFC.
2017 Awards: Upsets of the Year
Note: We have two ways that we derive biggest “upsets” based on points difference between winner and loser.
“Most Noteworthy” (X minus Y)
“Most Lopsided” (X divided by Y)
Most Noteworthy: Francis Ngannou KO(1) Alistair Overeem
More of a guard change than an upset. Nevertheless, Ngannou made up a massive point difference in taking Overeem out.
Most Lopsided: Volkan Oezdemir SD(3) Ovince St. Preux
Were the actual outcome a part of this, Emmett/Lamas would get the award. However, this is about proportional point differences and Oezdemir wasn’t even on the map before this fight.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Saturday, July 18th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Austin: Van Steenis vs. Eblen 2 | |||
 [#6 MW] Costello Van Steenis |  [#12 MW] Johnny Eblen | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 3/20/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#16 MW] Fabian Edwards Last 5: L W W W W | Last Fight Date: 3/28/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#51 MW] Bryan Battle Last 5: W W W L W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
| [#7 W125] Liz Carmouche |  [#13 W125] Viviane Araujo | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 8/15/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#16 W125] Jena Bishop Last 5: W L W W W | Last Fight Date: 4/11/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#62 W125] Shanna Young Last 5: W L W L W | ||
| Sunday, May 31st 2026: Shooto Professional Shooto 2026 Vol. 4 | |||
 [#11 SW] Koyuru Tanoue | [#12 SW] Kazusa Kurobe | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 11/16/2025 [Shooto] Last Opponent: [#243 FLW] Jo Arai Last 5: W W W W L | Last Fight Date: 1/18/2026 [Shooto] Last Opponent: [#38 SW] Ken Asahina Last 5: W W W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#175 FW] |  George Mangos | [#78 FW] | Juan Archuleta | |
| [#186 MW] |  Christian Eckerlin | [#1 MW] | Sean Strickland | |
| [NR] |  Conor McGregor | [NR] |  Matt Marriot | |
| [NR] | Suzu Ooi | [#34 FW] |  Doo Ho Choi | |
| [NR] |  Rustam Odinaev | [#29 LW] |  Salahdine Parnasse |
2017 Awards: Most Noteworthy Match of the Year
Most Noteworthy Match of the Year:
Max Holloway TKO(3) Jose Aldo II
The “most noteworthy” match of the year isn’t about box office or the popular scene, instead it is a pretty basic calculation — a sum of quality if you will. You can decide between the first or the rematch, they were basically the same fight.
2017 Awards: Comeback Fighter of the Year
As a refresher, our “Comeback” award is about coming back from inactivity or major injury (that we know about) and in doing so, really impressing. You can see more details at the bottom of the post about specific qualifiers.
Comeback Fighter of the Year: Georges St. Pierre (2-time winner)
Talk about a no-brainer. GSP comes off a massive layoff and stops the Middleweight champion, capturing UFC gold in a second division. He’s the best ever.
Honorable Mentions: Al Iaquinta, Chan Sung Jung
To qualify, fighters must be in an active status at the end of the award year and did not have a fight in the previous calendar year or are coming off of a known major injury that caused an inactive period of 15+ months.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 219: Cyborg/Holm (12-30-2017)
Women Featherweight Championship (145)
[#1/#3DD/#3P4P] Cristiane Justino (18-1-0, -363) vs. [#5] Holly Holm (11-3-0, +285)
Cristiane Justino is the All-Time #2 ranked Women’s fighter.
Holly Holm is the All-Time #16 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Cristiane Justino (3-0-0)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#6BW] Tonya Evinger (19-6-0) via TKO in 1:56 of round 3
2016-09-24: W vs. [#25BW] Lina Lansberg (7-3-0) via TKO in 2:29 of round 2
2016-05-14: W vs. [#8BW] Leslie Smith (10-7-1) via TKO (Punches) in 1:21 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Holly Holm (1-2-0)
2017-06-17: W vs. [#12BW] Bethe Correia (10-3-1) via KO (Head Kick and Punch) in 1:09 of round 3
2017-02-11: L vs. [#2FW/#8DD/#10P4P] Germaine de Randamie (7-3-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2016-07-23: L vs. [#2BW/#4DD/#8P4P] Valentina Shevchenko (14-3-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cristiane Justino 154, Holly Holm 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#4] Edson Barboza (19-4-0, +235) vs. [#6] Khabib Nurmagomedov (24-0-0, -294)
Edson Barboza is the All-Time #27 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is the All-Time #28 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Edson Barboza (3-0-0)
2017-03-11: W vs. [#14LW] Beneil Dariush (14-3-1) via TKO in 4:35 of round 2
2016-07-23: W vs. [#38FW] Gilbert Melendez (22-7-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2016-04-23: W vs. [#11LW] Anthony Pettis (20-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Khabib Nurmagomedov (3-0-0)
2016-11-12: W vs. [#21LW] Michael Johnson (17-12-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 2:31 of round 3
2016-04-16: W vs. [#161LW] Darrell Horcher (13-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:38 of round 2
2014-04-19: W vs. [#3WW] Rafael dos Anjos (28-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Edson Barboza 294, Khabib Nurmagomedov 413
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Khabib Nurmagomedov leads 1-0
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Women Strawweight (115)
[#8] Carla Esparza (12-4-0, +220) vs. [#13] Cynthia Calvillo (6-0-0, -277)
Last 3 Fights: Carla Esparza (2-1-0)
2017-06-25: W vs. [#20SW] Maryna Moroz (8-2-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-02-19: L vs. [#19SW] Randa Markos (7-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2016-04-23: W vs. [#34SW] Juliana Lima (9-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Cynthia Calvillo (3-0-0)
2017-07-16: W vs. [#26SW] Joanne Calderwood (11-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2017-04-08: W vs. [#101SW] Pearl Gonzalez (6-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:45 of round 3
2017-03-04: W vs. [#48SW] Amanda Bobby Cooper (3-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:19 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Carla Esparza 188, Cynthia Calvillo 167
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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McGregor Keen on Diaz Rematch
Source: Wikimedia
It’s the news we all wanted to hear: everyone’s favorite (or least favorite) Irishman is hoping for a third bout with Nate Diaz. We all know what happened in the previous two fights, so suffice to say, that a third meeting between the pair would bring closure to a lot of people. The news comes after McGregor’s assertion just a few days ago that he was uninterested in a second consecutive boxing match after losing to Mayweather last Summer. It’s no real surprise to fans of the Irishman who understand that while the big money is in the boxing ring, McGregor’s heart is in the octagon. He does love that cash money, though.
Despite BetStars offering odds on McGregor to fight both Manny Pacquiao and Paulie Malignaggi in March of next year, we’re still unsure as to whether The Notorious will ever step back inside the boxing ring. With McGregor, you just can’t tell, and according to Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor will be in no rush to jump back into the octagon.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC on Fox 26: Lawler/dos Anjos (12-16-2017)
Welterweight (170)
[#3] Robbie Lawler (28-11-0, -110) vs. [#4] Rafael dos Anjos (27-9-0, -115)
Robbie Lawler is the All-Time #3 ranked Welterweight and #18 ranked Absolute fighter.
Rafael dos Anjos is the All-Time #32 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Robbie Lawler (2-1-0)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#15WW] Donald Cerrone (32-10-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-07-30: L vs. [#1WW/#5DD/#7P4P] Tyron Woodley (18-3-1) via KO (Punches) in 2:12 of round 1
2016-01-02: W vs. [*] Carlos Condit (30-10-0) via SD (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Rafael dos Anjos (2-1-0)
2017-09-09: W vs. [#12WW] Neil Magny (19-6-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:43 of round 1
2017-06-17: W vs. [#29WW] Tarec Saffiedine (16-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2016-11-05: L vs. [#3LW/#8DD] Tony Ferguson (23-3-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Robbie Lawler 140, Rafael dos Anjos 98
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Rafael dos Anjos leads 2-1
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Featherweight (145)
[#4] Ricardo Lamas (18-5-0, -274) vs. [#39] Josh Emmett (12-1-0, +220)
Ricardo Lamas is the All-Time #12 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ricardo Lamas (2-1-0)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#26FW] Jason Knight (20-4-0) via TKO in 4:34 of round 1
2016-11-05: W vs. [#20LW] Charles Oliveira (22-8-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:13 of round 2
2016-06-04: L vs. [#1FW/#1DD/#2P4P] Max Holloway (19-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Josh Emmett (2-1-0)
2017-10-21: W vs. [#159FW] Felipe Arantes (18-9-1) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
2017-04-08: L vs. [#68LW] Desmond Green (20-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
2016-12-17: W vs. [#84LW] Scott Holtzman (11-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ricardo Lamas 140, Josh Emmett 56
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#14] Santiago Ponzinibbio (25-3-0, -194) vs. [#23] Mike Perry (11-1-0, +161)
Last 3 Fights: Santiago Ponzinibbio (3-0-0)
2017-07-16: W vs. [#22WW] Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1) via KO (Punches) in 1:22 of round 1
2017-02-19: W vs. [#66WW] Nordine Taleb (13-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-08-06: W vs. [#31WW] Zak Cummings (21-5-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Mike Perry (2-1-0)
2017-09-16: W vs. [#373WW] Alex Reyes (13-3-0) via KO (Knee) in 1:19 of round 1
2017-04-22: W vs. [#34WW] Jake Ellenberger (31-13-0) via KO (Elbow) in 1:05 of round 2
2016-12-17: L vs. [#53WW] Alan Jouban (15-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Santiago Ponzinibbio 153, Mike Perry 91
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night 123: Swanson/Ortega (12-09-2017)
Featherweight (145)
[#6] Brian Ortega (12-0-0, -116) vs. [#7] Cub Swanson (25-7-0, -109)
Brian Ortega is the All-Time #45 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Cub Swanson is the All-Time #14 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Brian Ortega (3-0-0)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#15FW] Renato Carneiro (11-1-1) via SUB in 2:59 of round 3
2016-06-04: W vs. [#28LW] Clay Guida (34-17-0) via TKO in 4:40 of round 3
2016-01-02: W vs. [#73LW] Diego Brandao (22-12-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 1:37 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Cub Swanson (3-0-0)
2017-04-22: W vs. [#85FW] Artem Lobov (13-14-1) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
2016-12-10: W vs. [#23FW] Doo Ho Choi (14-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2016-08-06: W vs. [#53FW] Tatsuya Kawajiri (36-12-2) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Brian Ortega 133, Cub Swanson 231
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#14] Jason Knight (20-3-0, -305) vs. [#112] Gabriel Benitez (19-6-0, +242)
Last 3 Fights: Jason Knight (2-1-0)
2017-07-29: L vs. [#4FW] Ricardo Lamas (18-5-0) via TKO in 4:34 of round 1
2017-05-13: W vs. [#29FW] Chas Skelly (17-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:39 of round 3
2017-01-28: W vs. [#99FW] Alex Caceres (13-11-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:21 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Gabriel Benitez (1-2-0)
2017-05-13: L vs. [#92FW] Enrique Barzola (13-3-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-09-17: W vs. [#73FW] Sam Sicilia (16-8-0) via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:20 of round 2
2015-11-21: L vs. [#39FW] Andre Fili (17-5-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 3:13 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jason Knight 133, Gabriel Benitez 210
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Bantamweight (135)
[#8] Marlon Moraes (19-5-1, -150) vs. [#9] Aljamain Sterling (14-2-0, +124)
Marlon Moraes is the All-Time #19 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Aljamain Sterling is the All-Time #40 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Marlon Moraes (2-1-0)
2017-11-11: W vs. [#10BW] John Dodson (19-9-0) via SD (30-27, 30-27, 27-30)
2017-06-03: L vs. [#7BW] Raphael Assuncao (26-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
2016-12-31: W vs. [#87BW] Josenaldo Silva (25-6-0) via TKO (Knee Injury) in 2:30 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Aljamain Sterling (2-1-0)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#25FW] Renan Barao (34-5-0) via UD (29-27, 30-26, 29-28)
2017-04-15: W vs. [#52BW] Augusto Mendes (6-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-01-28: L vs. [#7BW] Raphael Assuncao (26-5-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Marlon Moraes 28, Aljamain Sterling 133
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Fight Matrix Program – UFC 218: Holloway/Aldo 2 (12-02-2017)
Featherweight Championship (145)
[#1/#1DD/#5P4P] Max Holloway (18-3-0, -301) vs. [#2] Jose Aldo (26-3-0, +240)
Max Holloway is the All-Time #5 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Jose Aldo is the All-Time #1 ranked Featherweight and #3 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (3-0-0)
2017-06-03: W vs. [#2FW] Jose Aldo (26-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:13 of round 3
2016-12-10: W vs. [#10LW] Anthony Pettis (20-7-0) via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) in 4:50 of round 3
2016-06-04: W vs. [#4FW] Ricardo Lamas (18-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Jose Aldo (1-2-0)
2017-06-03: L vs. [#1FW/#1DD/#5P4P] Max Holloway (18-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:13 of round 3
2016-07-09: W vs. [#3FW/#9DD] Frankie Edgar (22-5-1) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
2015-12-12: L vs. [#1LW/#8P4P] Conor McGregor (21-3-0) via TKO in 0:13 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 182, Jose Aldo 182
Previous Match-up Record: Max Holloway leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Heavyweight (265)
[#2/#8DD] Alistair Overeem (43-15-0, +201) vs. [#7] Francis Ngannou (10-1-0, -248)
Alistair Overeem is the All-Time #11 ranked Heavyweight and #38 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alistair Overeem (2-1-0)
2017-07-08: W vs. [#3HW+] Fabricio Werdum (23-7-1) via MD (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-03-04: W vs. [#5HW+] Mark Hunt (13-11-1) via KO (Knee) in 1:44 of round 3
2016-09-10: L vs. [#1HW+/#2DD/#2P4P] Stipe Miocic (17-2-0) via TKO in 4:27 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Francis Ngannou (3-0-0)
2017-01-28: W vs. [#20HW+] Andrei Arlovski (26-15-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 1
2016-12-09: W vs. [#116HW+] Anthony Hamilton (15-9-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 1:57 of round 1
2016-07-23: W vs. [#278LHW] Bojan Mihajlovic (10-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:34 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alistair Overeem 147, Francis Ngannou 308
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Flyweight (125)
[#3] Henry Cejudo (11-2-0, -256) vs. [#6] Sergio Pettis (16-2-0, +207)
Henry Cejudo is the All-Time #10 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Sergio Pettis is the All-Time #28 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Henry Cejudo (1-2-0)
2017-09-09: W vs. [#11FLY] Wilson Reis (22-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:25 of round 2
2016-12-03: L vs. [#2FLY] Joseph Benavidez (25-4-0) via SD (29-27, 27-29, 30-26)
2016-04-23: L vs. [#1FLY/#4DD/#1P4P] Demetrious Johnson (27-2-1) via TKO in 2:49 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Sergio Pettis (3-0-0)
2017-08-05: W vs. [#8FLY] Brandon Moreno (14-4-0) via UD (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)
2017-01-15: W vs. [#10FLY] John Moraga (18-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-04-23: W vs. [#37FLY] Chris Kelades (12-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Henry Cejudo 84, Sergio Pettis 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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