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Arguably the most coveted of recognition – Fighter of the Year. Inside the cage and out, these 5 warriors rose above their peers in a famously unstable cocktail of performance and personality.
Let's get right to it and meet our top 5, then vote for 2023's top fighter!
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Name: Sean Strickland (USA)
Showing: 3-0
Highlight: Sends shockwave throughout MMA world with W over top-dog Israel Adesanya for MW gold.
Quote: I can fight 25 minutes. I can fight 1 hour. And I f***ing love you guys. Let's go!
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Name: Islam Makhachev (Russia)
Showing: 2-0
Highlight: 2 Ws over widely-lauded P4P Aussie Alexander Volkanovski.
Quote: I never choose someone. Dana, you have job. Give me someone.
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Name: Alex Pereira (Brazil)
Showing: 2-1
Highlight: Earns much-sought two division bragging rights with elbow-raining victory over Jiri Prochazka for UFC LHW title.
Quote: Adesanya, come to Daddy. [at LHW]
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Name: Leon Edwards (Jamaica)
Showing: 2-0
Highlight: Twice defends WW throne.
Quote: I'm a mixed martial artist. I come out here. And prove my case. I grappled the grappler.
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Name: Francis Ngannou (Cameroon)
Showing: 0-0
Highlight: Leaves UFC to throw hat in boxing ring, where his pro debut sees knockdown of top HW talent Tyson Fury.
Quote: Tonight was about determination. Dedication. Tonight was about hope. Faith in myself. In my goal.