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UFC fighters have won ESPY's best fighter of the year award three years in a row, ending the dominance of boxers.
Before 2015, ESPY's best fighter of the year award was shared between two of the greatest boxers to ever live, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. However, in 2015, with an unprecedented first, Ronda Rousey became the first and only female UFC fighter to win the esteemed award with her record-breaking run in MMA.
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In 2016, Conor McGregor followed suit and in 2017, Demetrious Johnson added another ESPY Fighter of the year award for a UFC fighter. These three fighters marked a new era of MMA domination.
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Rousey and McGregor were two of the main forces that took the UFC to the next level. 'Rowdy' brought in never before seen PPV numbers, and was part of the first female fight of the organization.
Conor McGregor then came in and took the UFC to an entirely different level. The Irishman cracked the global market and started recording PPV sales in the millions, something that was only seen in boxing fights earlier. 'The Notorious' went on a dominant run of form, earning double champ status and at one point was the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Demetrious Johnson was the last fighter to win the award before the ESPYs created a new award for MMA fighters.
Which UFC fighters have won the ESPYs best MMA fighter award?
In 2019, the ESPYs introduced the best MMA fighter of the year award. Earlier, the best fighter award encompassed both boxers and MMA fighters.
Daniel Cormier was the first fighter to win the esteemed award for his prowess in the octagon, beating Israel Adesanya, Henry Cejudo, and Amanda Nunes. The former Olympic wrestler became only the second person ever to achieve double champ status.
The 2020 ESPY award did not take place due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2021, Khabib Nurmagomedov deservedly won the title over Amanda Nunes, Rose Namajunas, and Francis Ngannou. Nurmagomedov ended Conor McGregor's reign and beat most of the top contenders in the lightweight division. He retired prematurely following the death of his father.
The last fighter to win the award was Charles Oliveira, in 2022, over Kayla Harrison, Kamaru Usman, and Alexander Volkanovski. The Brazilian had an electric run of form in the lightweight division that saw him capture the title.
