UFC champions Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira highlighted Bloody Elbow's 'Fight of the Year' nominations.
Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira started the year and ended the year as UFC title holders. During their 2024 runs, Makhachev and Pereira treated fans to an all-time fight against two of the most dangerous contenders in MMA today.
In his most recent title defense, Makhachev submitted Poirier late to retain the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302. But Makhachev had to provide deep water against Poirier in the early rounds to rally late and tap into the UFC fan favorite.
Pereira held Khalil Rountree Jr. against in his most recent title defense at UFC 307. Just two years removed from being a relative unknown in MMA, Pereira has become one of the UFC's biggest pay-per-view draws.
Makhachev and Pereira's most recent title defenses were among a number of breathtaking fights that Bloody Elbow deemed 'Fight of the Year' in 2024. In a non-title bout, a pair of UFC lightweight newcomers stole the show on one of the biggest cards of 2024.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics added to the FOTY debate
UFC lightweights Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics showed fighting spirit, tenacity and perseverance in their epic three-round war at UFC 306. The back-and-forth battle resulted in Ribovics walking away with a decision victory, but no one would have been surprised was that Zellhuber had gotten the nod after three hard-fought rounds.
Zellhuber and Ribovics helped land the main card of UFC 306, headlined by Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili. After two title fights at the top of the card that left more to be desired, Zellhuber vs. Ribovics one of the biggest post-fight talking points following UFC 306.
It's no surprise that UFC CEO Dana White awarded Zellhuber and Ribovics post-fight bonuses for their efforts in the Octagon. The fight boosted both athletes' stock as they continued to work their way into the lightweight top 15.
Deciding on 'Fight of the Year' for 2024 was a challenging task, but our team felt one fight stood above the rest.
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier is Bloody Elbow's 'Fight of the Year 2024'
Here's how the Bloody Elbow team voted and weighed in on the Fight of the Year debate.
Jordan Ellis: “This may not be the most popular pick, but Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. is my fight of the year. It had everything. Rountree Jr. raced into an early lead that gave the fans hope of an upset before it was shut down by a brutal 'Poatan' performance that quickly turned ugly. Rountree Jr. showed great staying there until the fourth round, and Pereira showed great finishing instincts to get the job done from distance.
Jordan's Pick: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. –UFC307
Donagh Corby: “What can be said about Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker's war in Perth that hasn't already happened there? Such a battle, in which Hooker shows that he can compete at the highest level and win, which had eluded him until now. There will be big battles for him next year, and Gamrot may come again.
Donagh's Pick: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker – UFC 305
Jamie Theodosi: “Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306. Going into this fight, I was a little skeptical that the UFC was bringing in two very strong prospects. That said, their fight stole what was an incredible one-off show.
Jamie's Pick: Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber – UFC 306
James Sweetnam: “Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier was undeniably a match that had the entire MMA community on the edge of their seats. In one corner stood the consensus pound-for-pound number one, and in the other corner stood a man who the world had hoped and prayed would one day achieve his sporting destiny by becoming a UFC world champion. With every punch 'The Diamond' landed, his supporters gasped, hoping this would be the one to close the show. But in the end, the Russian was too good and ultimately capped off an excellent performance by landing a tight submission and putting the MMA icon to sleep.”
James's Choice: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 302
Curtis Calhoun: “Although Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier didn't complete the full five-round distance, it was an epic display of perseverance, high-level skills and non-stop action for as long as the fight lasted.
Makhachev and Poirier traded big blows to the feet, and Poirier came close to putting the lightweight champion in significant trouble during the headliner of UFC 302. On the ground, Makhachev won the majority of the exchanges, although Poirier proved on numerous occasions that he was able to escape the trouble.
Makhachev versus Poirier was an example of pure violence and elite skills. The back-and-forth nature of the fight leading to Makhachev's late-round victory is at the top of the 2024 fight list.”
Curtis' pick: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 302
Tom Llewellyn: “This is a tough one, but my argument is that heading into UFC 302, almost no one gave Dustin Poirier even the slightest chance of beating Islam Makhachev. Still, 'The Diamond' proved why he's one of the best 155ers of all time, giving the Russian perhaps his toughest test yet in the octagon – Poirier never gave up, he never stopped trying to beat the odds, and he was simply defeated by the better man. An absolute war.”
Tom's Pick: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 302
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