Best Event: UFC 317

UFC 317 was headlined by one of the most iconic performances in UFC history. Ilia Topuria became the UFC's first two-weight champion with an undefeated record, knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira. The event also featured Alexandre Pantoja's title defense and Joshua Van's rise as a fighter to watch.

Fight of the Midyear: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van

This historic fight saw Joshua Van surge to the top of the rankings with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval. The bout featured a combined total of 419 significant strikes, the most ever in a three-round UFC fight.

Men's Fighter of the Midyear: Merab Dvalishvili

Dvalishvili earned the nod with two title defenses in six months, including a dominant rematch against Sean O'Malley. He is now ranked No. 3 on ESPN's pound-for-pound list.

Women's Fighter of the Midyear: Kayla Harrison

Harrison secured the women's bantamweight title with a first-round kimura submission over Julianna Peña. Her victory set up a potential superfight with Amanda Nunes.

Breakout Fighter: Joshua Van

At just 23 years old, Van has made history with his performances, earning a title shot and becoming a household name in the flyweight division.

Best KO: Mauricio Ruffy's Spinning Wheel Kick

Ruffy's spinning wheel kick against King Green at UFC 313 was the most breathtaking knockout of the year, upstaging even the main event fighters.

Best Submission: Jean Silva's Ninja Choke

Silva's electric performance at UFC 314 culminated in a ninja choke that left Bryce Mitchell unconscious, solidifying Silva's reputation.

Best Moment: Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes Face Off

The postfight faceoff between Harrison and Nunes at UFC 316 was a chilling moment, setting the stage for one of the biggest fights in MMA history.

Most Improved Fighter: Payton Talbott

Talbott bounced back from a significant loss to deliver a composed and well-rounded performance at UFC 317, restoring his hype as a top bantamweight contender.