Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria have set the sport on fire over the past twelve months, with the pair of icons knocking unconscious any opponent who dared to step into the cage with them.
With both men having such a fantastic 2024, selecting the Bloody Elbow Fighter of the Year was certainly no easy task.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria have destroyed their opposition this year
Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria have both made waves in 2024, with both men proving themselves as true superstars.
With devastating power and tremendous fighting IQs, the world champions have proven themselves beyond doubt.
The Brazilian returned to action in April, taking part in his first of three world title fights in just six months. Firstly, with the UFC desperate for a main event for their historic 300th numbered card, 'Poatan' answered the call and stepped up to the plate to take on Jamahal Hill, who he finished with a vicious left hook.
In June, Pereira reached the fight capital of the world and settled his feud with Jiri Prochazka once and for all with a thunderous head kick at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
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To close out 2024, he gave the world one last show, completely outdoing Khalil Rountree in a stunning performance en route to a fourth-round stoppage.
In any normal year, that might have been enough to gallop away with the award. Topuria, however, had his eye equally on the prize.
In his first fight, 'El Matador' destroyed a pound-for-pound legend of the sport, in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, knocking him unconscious with a lethal combination, before later doing exactly the same to Max Holloway, in a match . -up where he adapted and overcame, downloading the data in front of him, before taking out an opponent who had never been taken down before. And it is for that reason…
Ilia Topuria is the Bloody Elbow Fighter of the Year 2024
Although it was very tough, Topuria received three out of five votes, making him our winner.
Here's what we all had to say:
James Sweetnam: “While Alex Pereira may have won more fights based on the quality of the opposition, I have to go with Ilia Topuria. The Spanish-Georgian wrecking machine has proven his talent beyond doubt, brutally eliminating two of the best the featherweight division has ever seen.
“He started the year with a stunning win over Alexander Volkanovski before taking on Max Holloway in a brilliant bout at UFC 308. The fighter overcame the odds and downloaded the data before becoming the first man to stop 'Blessed' in a performance that captured the attention of fight fans around the world.”
Winner: Ilia Topuria
Jordan Ellis: “It's a battle between two men. While Ilia Topuria's KO victories over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski are very impressive, you could argue that he defeated two legends who reached the end of their careers.
“Alex Pereira has three KO victories against former champions. As a relative newcomer to the sport, he has made it look so easy that people say he has given favorable matchups, when it is downright bizarre that he can operate at such a high level so early in his MMA run.
Winner: Alex Pereira
Jamie Theodosi: “Ilia Topuria. “While Alex Pereira has had a phenomenal year as champion, being the most active at that, I think the fact that 'El Matador' took out two of the greatest featherweights of all time may be trumped in their prime.”
Winner: Ilia Topuria
Donagh Corby: “Alex Pereira defended his title three times this year, and perhaps the only thing that hurt him in other elections is his own success. He knocked out famed striker Jamahal Hill after saving UFC 300, and did the same to Jiri Prochazka a few weeks later at UFC 303. Khalil Rountree Jr was simultaneously a tougher ask and a name with less perceived value, but it was still a great player. victory at UFC 307, and a run like we've never seen before continues into 2025.”
Winner: Alex Pereira
Tom Llewellyn:
“The feud between Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira comes down to one factor and one factor only: the quality of their opponents in 2024.
“No offense to Prochazka, Hill and Roundtree, but the difference between those names compared to Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway is night and day.
“Not only did Topuria complete the greatest featherweight of all time, with two consensus wins, back-to-back, but he called it from the start and if that doesn't get you 'Fighter of the Year' then the world has gone mad.”
Winner: Ilia Topuria
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