At the beginning of a new year, it is always good to take a look back at the accomplishments of the months past. 2016 was another outstanding year of growth for the sport of mixed martial arts. Outside of the cage, we saw an unprecedented $4bn deal for the UFC, bringing in new investment and ideas, Bellator strengthen its ranks with a host of free agent signings including Rory Macdonald, Matt Mitrione, Benson Henderson and Chael Sonnen, and the move towards a unionised fighter association get ever closer.
The year wasn't bad for in-cage action either. Having overturned the corrupt ban on the sport in New York, UFC 205 broke practically every record going, from pay-per-view buys to Conor McGregor becoming the first ever fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, while Brock Lesnar sensationally returned at UFC 200.
Hosted on March 2nd, predictably in Las Vegas, the Fighters Only World MMA Awards looks to recognise the greatest of the sport each year. Dubbed the 'MMA Oscars', the 22 awards are designed to cover the entire mixed martial arts eco-system, appreciating everyone that makes the sport what it is today.
As a result, categories range from the predictable 'Fighter of the Year' and 'Breakthough Fighter of the Year', to performance related awards, covering the most spectacular ways of finishing a fight, to journalists, personalities, coaches and gyms associated with the sport.
The shortlists for each have been released, and the public have been asked to vote for their winners at the link below:
http://www.worldmmaawards.com/vote/
I have already taken this opportunity, and over the next few weeks, I'll be posting new content every Friday outlining my case for some of the headline awards.
So take a trip to the website above, vote for your favourite, and let me know your thoughts on mine each week, either in the comments here or @TheWeighInMMA on Twitter.
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