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The Heavies Awards
-2020-
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
-2020-
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
While 2020's Fighter of the Year (FrOTY) could be summarily awarded en masse to frontline medical workers tackling COVID-19, we're here to spotlight a different frontline -- one on either side of which this past year has stood a gladiator in pursuit of prize and pride alike and in battles as mental as they are physical. Whom you're voting for is to take seat at a small, oaken table given the breed of person it takes even to be considered. While a contest in dynamic as old as time, the sport of mixed martial arts is not for everyone as it without frill and at great expense celebrates the strong.
'You have to remember something: everybody pities the weak; jealousy you have to earn.'
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Meet your FrOTY candidates:
Deiveson Figueiredo
Deus da Guerra/God of War
Brazil
'I grew up with all the wild animals and think I got something from them.'
re: On his power being unique for the division
Deus da Guerra/God of War
Brazil
re: On his power being unique for the division
- Grew up in a tropical monsoon climate working animals and land under his father until early teens
- Originally a capoeirista, the diverse background he brings into the cage includes a local grappling style called Marajoara of island Marajó, a style of engagement inspired by time-old observations on the interactions of the area's buffalo
- Fought four times this year, winning the vacant Flyweight title (UFC) and defending twice with only 21 days between
Kevin Holland
Trailblazer
USA
'I turned my nightmare into a dream tonight.'
re: Ronaldo Souza
Trailblazer
USA
'I turned my nightmare into a dream tonight.'
re: Ronaldo Souza
- A late-starter, orthodox striker Kevin did not pick up combat sport until aged 16 and found MMA icon Georges St-Pierre a motivating factor in doing so
- Only the third fighter in UFC history to go 5-0 in a calendar year, three of those five being Performances OTN and first of which not even taking place until May 2020
- Put an exclamation point on 2020 with December KO of grizzled veteran Jacaré
Jan Blachowicz
Prince of Cieszyn
Poland
'This is a historic moment for me and for Polish fans.'
re: What the LHW belt means to Poland's growing MMA scene
Prince of Cieszyn
Poland
re: What the LHW belt means to Poland's growing MMA scene
- Grew up admiring Jean-Claude Van Damme and began his journey into martial arts with judo in mountainous hometown of Cieszyn on the Czech border, home to Poland's top-selling candy company
- Went 2-0 in 2020 vs. Corey Anderson and Dominick Reyes by (T)KOs in dual Performances OTN
- Captured vacant albeit no less coveted LHW belt (UFC)
Charles Oliveira
Do Bronx/The Ghetto
Brazil
'2021, I'm coming.'
re: LW belt aspirations
Do Bronx/The Ghetto
Brazil
'2021, I'm coming.'
re: LW belt aspirations
- Grew up very poor and whose nickname, Do Bronx/The Ghetto, originates in him being called 'that kid from the ghetto' when introduced to impressed gym patrons; he is this year a 10-year black belt in BJJ and has a giving-back project to help at-risk youth grapple instead of turn to crime
- Currently in LW title contention (UFC) after besting Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson
- A veteran of both MMA and UFC, his career leading into 2020 counted almost 40 professional fights and a decade in the sport's premier organisation
So, who you got?