It was a banner year for combat sports in 2024, with gate records being broken left, right and center as major events took place.
In the UFC, they finally brought live sports to the new Sphere in Las Vegas for UFC 306 as Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili went to battle over five rounds. Jon Jones also returned for a crowing world title defense at Madison Square Garden, and Alex Pereira headlined the huge UFC 300 and 303 shows at T-Mobile.
And while it wasn't strictly MMA, the boxing world took center stage on November 15 as Jake Paul and Mike Tyson battled it out in Dallas, Texas. More than 73,000 fans gathered in AT&T Stadium, including more than 108 million live on Netflix.
UFC 306 and Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson are among the best events of 2024
There were tons of great events and shows for fans to sink their teeth into, and certainly much better fights than our top contenders. Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 stands out, as do both of Ilia Topuria's big wins at UFC 298 over Alexander Volkanovski and UFC 308 over Max Holloway.
In terms of size, however, there were two major highlights. We know the fighting itself may not have accomplished anything, but think of the sheer spectacle.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Try to remember the magnitude of what happened at Sphere in Las Vegas. Dana White injected more than $20 million to ensure the venue could be fully utilized, delivering an absurd showcase to pay tribute to Mexican Independence Day.
And a few months later it was Jake Paul and Mike Tyson's turn. Netflix spared no expense on a monstrous event at AT&T Stadium, and while the main event was a damp one, no one will forget the co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, or the atmosphere, for a long time.
UFC 306 is Bloody Elbow's event of the year for 2024
At the end of the day, we are an MMA website and despite the statistics, we have to give the award to an MMA event. That being said; UFC 306 is the Bloody Elbow event of the year 2024. In second place was UFC 300, and in third place was Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson
Here's what we all had to say:
James Sweetnam:
“UFC 306 may not have delivered in terms of the main and co-main event, but the show itself was absolutely spectacular. Having been there myself, I can say without a doubt that The Sphere is a unique location.
“The films played before each match were truly remarkable as fans took a journey through Mexican history, from the Aztec empire to the deepest depths of the jungle. At one point, spectators even found themselves in space, ducking as virtual comets headed toward them.
“The event did a great job of celebrating the country's fighting culture and delivered a spectacle the likes of which the sport had never seen before.”
Winner: UFC306
Jordan Ellis:
“UFC 306 was like nothing I've ever seen before. And by all accounts, I'll never see anything like it again, as Dana White doesn't want to return to the Sphere and no other fight promoter seems capable of making it happen. That's why UFC 306 is my event of the year.”
Winner: UFC306
Jamie Theodosi:
“Despite people's feeling that the card on paper was anti-climatic, it was an incredible night of fighting.”
Winner: UFC300
Donagh Corby:
“I know, it's not technically MMA, but the fighting world stood still on November 15 when Mike Tyson returned to the ring against Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas. More than 73,000 people packed the stadium and 108 million watched at home, encapsulating the world whether you're a fight fan or not.
“Jake Paul has been such a thorn in the side of MMA for so long that he needs to do it again in our awards. I attended both Paul vs Tyson and UFC 309, and even when the GOAT of MMA fought in the most famous arena in the world, the two events just couldn't compare.”
Winner: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson
Tom Llewellyn:
“Granted, UFC 306 at The Sphere wasn't exactly the most entertaining event of the year, but it will still go down as one of the biggest and most impressive combat sports shows in history.
While I'd be tempted to give UFC 300 or maybe even the recent UFC Tampa card “Event of the Year,” between the visual spectacle and Dana White saying UFC 306 was a “One and Done,” The Sphere is about having its own chapter.”
Winner: UFC306
Curtis Calhoun:
“UFC 300 lived up to the hype with wild knockouts, come-from-behind victories and three electric title fights. It had just about everything UFC hardcore and casual fans could want from top to bottom.
After UFC 200 failed to live up to its high expectations, UFC 300 set the benchmark for the promotion's centennial events. From Max Holloway's victory at the BMF buzzer to Alex Pereira's wild finish in the main event, UFC 300 will live in combat sports history.”
Winner: UFC300
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