Amongst a slew of title modifications and memorable performances from veterans and prospects alike over the course of 2022, one fighter – making a profitable transition to skilled combined martial arts following a gold-laden kickboxing profession, seems to have stood out firmly from a championship crowd. In that breath, Brazilian bruiser, Alex Pereira is firmly your LowKickMMA Fighter of the Yr.
Fighter of the Yr – Alex Pereira – UFC – 3-0-0 (7 votes)
Embarking on a three-fight undefeated run since a UFC debut again in November of final 12 months, inside a 12 months, Sao Paulo knockout ace, Alex Pereira had turned the middleweight world on its proverbial head – with typical, blistering trend.
Kicking off his 12 months of exercise with a unanimous choice win over compatriot, Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 50 in March, former GLORY Kickboxing duel-weight champion, Pereira would carve his path to a title tilt in the summertime of this annum.
Snapping the seven-fight undefeated run of latest UFC Vegas 66 headliner, Sean Strickland, Pereira recorded a harmful first spherical knockout win – beneath an occasion headlined by arch-rival, Israel Adesanya.
Headlining at Madison Sq. Backyard in November a 12 months faraway from his Octagon bow in New York Metropolis, inside simply 4 UFC walks, Pereira minted himself as an undisputed middleweight titleholder – rallying to complete kickboxing foe, Adesanya with a fifth spherical standing TKO triumph.
Honorable Mentions
Alexander Volkanovski – UFC – 2-0-0 (4 votes)
Twice defending his undisputed featherweight championship this 12 months, New South Wales native and promotional pound-for-pound primary, Alexander Volkanovski preps himself for an enormous outing subsequent 12 months.
Nevertheless, in 2022, the defending featherweight titleholder turned in consecutive profitable protection quantity three in opposition to Chan Sung Jung in April, after which 4 in opposition to three-time foe, Max Holloway, respectively – bloodying the Hawaiian again in July throughout Worldwide Battle Week.
On February 12. subsequent 12 months, Volkanovski travels residence – competing for undisputed light-weight spoils in opposition to just lately minted champion, Islam Makhachev, making an attempt to change into a two-weight champion held concurrently.
Aljamain Sterling – UFC – 2-0-0 – (1 vote)
Receiving only a singular vote in a 12 months which appears to have gone below the radar for Uniondale native and undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling firmly cemented his standing as one of the best 135lb fighter to compete below the UFC’s banner.
Rematching rival, Petr Yan in April of this 12 months in Jacksonville, Florida – Sterling put prior title-winning disqualification wins behind him, touchdown a cut up choice victory. In October on ‘Battle Island’, Sterling stopped former two-time bantamweight greatest, T.J. Dillashaw in dominant floor strikes stoppage trend.
Sterling has but to guide his subsequent Octagon stroll, nevertheless, rumblings recommend the Serra-Longo staple and Xtreme Couture trainee is about to welcome the retired, Henry Cejudo again to the Octagon as quickly as March subsequent.
Full Listing Of 2022 Fighter of the Yr Votes:Frank Bonada: Alex Pereira
Ross Markey: Alex Pereira
Murdo Todd: Alex Pereira
Patrick Submit: Alex Pereira
Ian Shutts: Alex Pereira
Brady Ordway Briggs: Alex Pereira
Marc Ray: Alex Pereira
Ollie Brockett: Alexander Volkanovski
Keelin McNamara: Alexander Volkanovski
Tim Wheaton: Alexander Volkanovski
Arshan Dhillon: Alexander Volkanovski
Alex Lough: Aljamain Sterling
