sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

The UFC Mid-Year Awards Have Been Revealed

The UFC Mid-Year Awards Have Been Revealed

We've seen plenty of great fights, performances and knockouts inside the Octagon in 2020...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

We're already halfway into 2020 and though it's been a weird old time so far, there's been plenty of UFC goodness to enjoy.

And ESPN have decided to give out mid-year awards by picking the best fights, knockouts and fighters inside the Octagon. These type of things are always sure to divide opinion but here are the calls the 12-person panel ESPN have made.

Best UFC fight:

There were a whole host of contenders but the award ultimately went to Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk from UFC 248. In what many deem to be the greatest women's fight in UFC history, the two took part in an absolute war inside the Octagon.

Both needed to go the hospital - but it was challenger Jedrzejczyk who came out worse after suffering a horrific hematoma. Zhang was the victor via split decision after five gruelling rounds and made a very impressive first defence of her women's strawweight championship.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Best UFC male fighter:

Justin Gaethje and Gilbert Burns share this one after stand-out performances in 2020. Gaethje produced a stunning display to stop Tony Ferguson to become interim lightweight champion at UFC 249 and become next in line for Khabib Nurmagomedov, while Burns was thoroughly impressive in his TKO victory against Demian Maia in March.

He then followed that up with a sensational win over Tyron Woodley in May. The Brazilian moved himself in contention for a shot at Kamara Usman's welterweight title on Fight Island but that has unfortunately been pulled due to his positive COVID-19 test.

Best UFC female fighter:

She may have only fought once but Zhang's incredible women's strawweight championship defence over the most dominant champion in that weight class in Las Vegas sees her take this prize after receiving twice as many votes as any other female fighter.

Best finish:

As per usual there have been a flurry of outrageous finishes and knockouts but you can't really argue with the verdict that none were better than Cody Garbrandt's.

'No Love' made an emphatic return to the Octagon in the co-main event at UFC 250 when he knocked Raphael Assuncao out cold right on the buzzer at the end of round two.

Hottest prospect:

After being on the sidelines for two years following two USADA suspensions, Sean O'Malley returned to UFC action in devastating fashion.

Spending a combined 3 minutes 56 seconds in the Octagon in 2020, 'Suga' has knocked out both Jose Quinonez and Eddie Wineland, which prompted ESPN's panel to make him the unanimous hottest UFC prospect.

To see the best UFC fights and performances in UFC this year, subscribe to Fight Pass, where you'll get access to every UFC fight ever, plus behind the scenes exclusives and original content that can't be found anywhere else.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Justin Gaethje, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA