Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2008, "Fighters Only," a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) magazine, has held the WORLD MMA AWARDS to celebrate the success and achievements of those within the MMA industry, giving fans the opportunity to cast votes on which athletes, brands and professionals made the greatest impact on the sport during a previous 12-month period. For the first five ceremonies, the awards covered October 1 through September 30, but the sixth annual awards were extended to 15 months -- from October 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 -- so that subsequent events covered the previous calendar year. The sixth annual awards ceremony, hosted by Nicole Dabeau and Brian Stann, was held on Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas, and was first televised nine days later on Sunday, February 16, 2014 on Fox Sports Net at 9pm ET/PT (check local listings). On Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 9pm ET/6pm PT, Fox Sports 2 premiered the 7th annual WORLD MMA AWARDS. Hosted by Nicole Dabeau and Brian Stann for the second consecutive year, the event was held at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian in Las Vegas on Friday, January 30, 2015, where Robbie Lawler, Ronda Rousey and Kelvin Gastelum were respectively revealed to be the male, female and breakthrough Fighters of the Year. Hosted by Urijah Faber and Alison Haislip, the 8th Annual WORLD MMA AWARDS, held on Friday, February 5, 2016 inside The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Las Vegas, were aired on tape delay one week later by Fox Sports 2 on Friday, February 12 at 10pm ET/7pm PT. On Friday, March 10, 2017 at 9pm ET/6pm PT, Fox Sports 2 premiered the 9th Annual WORLD MMA AWARDS. Hosted by Brian Stann and Nicole Dabeau, the event took place one week earlier on Thursday, March 2 at the Venetian Theatre at The Venetian in Las Vegas.