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2023 introduced with it a mess of standout performances from among the most unlikeliest of sources — in among the largest and high-profile fights of the annum, from the likes of middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, welterweight maestro, Leon Edwards, and pound-for-pound star, Islam Makhachev.
Nonetheless. amid an inventory of nominations lengthy and ranging points by the workers right here at LowKick MMA — the outspoken Sean Strickland has emerged far and forward because the consensus Fighter of the 12 months for 2023.
Fighter of the 12 months – Sean Strickland – UFC – 3-0-0 (4 votes)
Rebounding from a tumultuous 2022 yr which included a two-fight dropping skid to former title challenger, Jared Cannonier, and two-weight champion, final yr’s Fighter of the 12 months award winner, Alex Pereira — the often-outspoken Strickland turned in a yr to recollect, together with one of many largest upsets in latest Octagon reminiscence within the remaining quarter of the yr.
Snapping his two-fight skid with a unanimous determination win over the highly-touted, Nassourdine Imavov in the beginning of the yr in a short-notice mild heavyweight conflict, Strickland would seize the chance of a primary title challenger with a knockout win over Abusupiysan Magomedov.
And stunning the collective combined martial arts neighborhood again in September, Strickland, on would-be hostile terrritory towards Oceanic striker, Israel Adesanya — landed a unanimous shutout determination win over the City Kickboxing staple, clinching the promotion’s undisputed middleweight crown.
Booked to make his return in a heated title struggle protection towards the surging, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 on the flip of the yr in ‘The Nice White North’, Strickland takes the Fighter of the 12 months award underneath the LowKick MMA banner this annum.
Honorable Mentions –
Leon Edwards – UFC – 2-0-0 (3 votes)
Rounding off a championship-laden yr for himself earlier this month, undisputed welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards recorded two straight victories by means of determination this yr — laying waste to the division’s fixed and at all times difficult guard.
Closing out his trilogy with a rubber match towards former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 again in March on dwelling soil within the UK, Birmingham technician, Edwards landed a majority determination win over the Auchi native — having snatched the throne in August of final yr with a immortal high-kick rallying knockout success.
And earlier this month, in a brutal grudge match with former interim champion, Colby Covington, Edwards landed a one-sided unanimous determination win over the growing older Clovis challenger, who did not mount any actual important output offensively.
Islam Makhachev – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)
Closing out his collection of fights with undisptued featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski again in October, pound-for-pound primary, Islam Makhachev did so in sure fashion — exhibiting off his sriking arsenal with a spectacular opening spherical high-kick KO within the pair’s light-weight title rematch.
The victory adopted a previous February back-and-forth with the New South Wales star, by which Makhachev edged a detailed and egregious determination win on enemy territory.
Dricus du Plessis – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)
Forward of his championship siege in January towards award winner, Strickland, South African challenger, Dricus du Plessis has loved an unbeaten 2-0 run within the UFC this yr — persevering with in his perfect-promotional profitable vein.
Touchdown on essentially the most impactful victory in what appears likes years within the middleweight ranks, after a TKO stoppage of latest PFL debutante, Derek Brunson, in July, du Plessis landed a surprising second spherical knockout win over former undisputed middleweight champion and ever-present top-contender, Robert Whittaker, incomes him a shot at Strickland’s title belt.
Full checklist of the LowKick MMA 2023 Fighter of the 12 months votes:
Ross Markey: Sean Strickland
Ian Shutts: Islam Makhachev
Murdo Todd: Leon Edwards
Craig Pekios: Leon Edwards
Makoa Goble: Sean Strickland
Tony King: Leon Edwards
Pink Capsule MMA: Dricus du Plessis
Michael Owens: Sean Strickland
Danny Podolsky: Sean Strickland
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