Jan 6, 20236 min read

Founder's Picks: '22 MMA Awards

Another year brings even more violence; drama; and a slew of UFC moments.

This electric year has brought a whole 'notha batch of slow-mo knockout snaps; be turned into a meme. The year saw three pound-for-pounds be slayed. 2022 was straight noise, which made it seem all so right to do the 2022 MMA Awards- an Octo-Talk special arriving soon to all streaming services. More importantly, it allows me to give most of my picks here on The Blog.

Enjoy my award selections here, but make sure to tune into the main special on The Pod as Ashton gives his selections and we crown all the award winners in a Special episode of Octo-Talk that will stream on all streaming services.

I am in the understanding that everyone else believes this award should be awarded to a certain English lad, but I myself am not as high on him. On the other-hand, an aussie rising star by the name of Jack Della Maddalena, has secured my vote as the best young riser for '22. This award was a fierce comp' between some stellar nominees- but 3-0 with three first round knockouts? Can't get much better. Jack has shown truly defined striking and poise in short time in the octagon before he put his prey to rest.

Della Maddalena's last fight was maybe the most impressive of his three dubs in '22. Jack shot out the gate with a relentless attack against Danny Roberts as he landed 33 significant strikes along with 41 total strikes before finishing Roberts with a body-body-hook combo. Pure masterclass of a performance for a young fighter trying to make his name amongst the elite of the 170 pounders. Can't have a better year if you are JDM and attempting to climb the ranks. Excited to see Maddalena continue to rise.

HM: Jamahal Hill; Ilia Topuria; Roman Dolidze

Quite a no-brainer here from me. If we are talkin' savagery, then Alexander Volkanovski is the most savage dog in MMA, in 2022. What a year of savagery and greatness it was for the new pound-for-pound king. Everyone wanted to put the chips against him- everyone wanted his downfall. By those he proved wrong- in the name of savagery.

Volk absolutely demolished The Korean Zombie in April over three rounds and change. Volk landed 138 significant strikes and posted a battered Zombie's facial on his wall- Alexander felt disrespected by those who thought he would lose and he used that anger to force victory with a striking phenomenon. It was a flawless performance by Volk. Despite the domination- he still had doubters. "He still needs to beat Max Holloway, again."

Well that he did. The damage Volk did to Max Holloway is honestly his sole bullet point for winning this award. Volk beat that man like a rag doll. Forcing Holloway's blood on the canvas and each spectator's jaw on the floor. The smashing of Korean Zombie was just the premeal for this savage. The full course dinner came with a serving of 200 significant strikes on Holloway- who has never allowed that kind of damage (outside of Poirier II). It was a beautiful scene for Volk and his supporters. Volk dominated both his title defenses this year in vicious fashion- making him a no doubt winner for savage of the year and forcing all fans to evaluate his title as a GOAT consideration.

HM: Kevin Holland

Another no-brainer here; I mean cmon! Can you write another way for Nate Diaz to bid his farewell kiss to the UFC? I think not. Total chaos had shook his fight week and opponent up, causing him to duel with fellow legend; Tony Ferguson; which was waaaaay past due. To make it better- Diaz and washed Tony actually had a classic & it ended exactly with 209 remaining on the clock! Diaz flexin' and staring at the camera while tappin' out Tony Ferguson in his final fight for the promotion may be a savage moment of all time yet alone for just 2022. F'n magical. Thanks for all the savage memories- Mr. 209.

HM: Chito Vera

2022 delivered some blockbuster fights on paper that had everyone wanting to tune in. We witnessed heated rivalries come to a head. We witnessed mega fights draw in immediate interest. We also witnessed pound for pound kings put everything they have gained on the line. Major sellers across the board with not one Conor McGregor fight to steal the thunder. Despite a slew of notable nominees, one bout absolutely stood out in my opinion as the Best Sell: Alexander Volkanovski vs Max Holloway III.

The booking and journey to fight week was a special spotlight. Rather a Max fan, or a Alexander fan, one thing was certain- every fight fan had anticipation. We had seen Holloway and Volkanovski prove time and time again that the two of them had far to much separation from the rest of the pack at 145. Seeing the two best in a weight class go head to head is always an excited and planned route; even despite them having fight history. Not just that, we also still had fight fans try and find ammunition to help degrade Volkanovski's greatness and shy away from the reality of him being the pound-for-pound king. Volkanovski brought the legacy stamping chip to the table. Max on the other hand: despite the 0-2 record against Volkanovski- Holloway's following had all the hopes in the world that he had found the missing formula to conquer. Max has the will to win chip to bring to the table. Those two chips created a gorgeous recipe for a big fight feel.

I feel this is a no doubter for us at Spittin' Cap as the fight was the second installment of "The Bet", which had Ashton and I go at each other's head for weeks on and off the air. It created bitterness, side choosing, and FUN personal-verbal warfare. Volk vs Max III is without a doubt- the year's Best Sell.

The most beautiful thing we get out of MMA is special moments (like all sports). Rather it's triumph; upsets; or pure heart- the sport always delivers in special fashion. Each year brings moments that stand out from the rest. Moments that will last forever in the hearts and memories of those who graced the honor to spectate. 2022 gave us another one of those moments. A moment of triumph that will last forever: Leon Edwards' jaw dropping kick heard 'round the world. The kick of triumph; adversity; and the kick that slayed the pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman.

Usman vs Edwards II was nothing short of a Usman cake walk through 4 rounds. Leon had moments and a well thought-out game plan- but Usman still dominated. When the fifth round started to get a sail; you figured it to be a slow 5 minutes and an easy Usman arm raise. Leon had other plans- and shocked the world with a swift kick to the chin to freeze Usman into a corpse:

For me spectating, it was without a doubt one of the greatest live sports moment I have witnessed. I mean it. I was floored. Lets not forget that I; along with cohost; dragged that man Edwards' name on this brand. This moment though- I tell ya. Absolutely iconic of a kick. Usman had never been in peril inside the Octagon, then in a blink of an eye he lays motionless. From a possible 50-45 to being slept. Insert the brain exploding emoji. Nuts. The kick was the cake to the moment- what Leon had to say after in the heat, was the cherry on top and leads to the next award winner.

"Pound for pound. Headshot. Dead. That's it!"

Iconic. In the grandest of sports moments we have seen epic "lines" or promos. Garnett's "Anything is possible" under a downpour of confetti. Sherman's "Don't ever try me with a sorry receiver". Oh, can't forget Dennis Green's "The Bears are who we thought they were!" It's what makes sports and sports entertainment the spectacles that they are.

Leon may have had the best promo (interview) of all-time. If you include the landscape; emotions; and triumph- his words brought you in. Stating his tough come up and where he overcame, to shouting "LOOK AT ME NOW"- we can just say he won Best Line and Best Promo. Enjoy:

More of a wrestling thing- but sometimes we get to experience some stellar walkouts in MMA. Rather it's a fitting walkout song or a hometown star reaching new depths- MMA gives off a lil mojo in the entrance/walkout department. 2022 brought some good ones. The atmosphere and energy the O2 in London gave off for Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall was special- but only one stood out: Adesanya's Undertaker walkout:

What an awesome entrance. Izzy brought the props; music; and smoke. The hat and urn.. just fabulous. Maybe the most outlandish and thought-out walkouts in history. I was mostly surprised WWE let 'em do it- no chance that all isn't trademarked. Awesome creativity and showmanship by Adesanya. Oh, and going from the Volkanovski slaughter to the Undertaker entrance was well timed!

You will have to check out our return pod and 2nd installment of our MMA awards to see the rest of the awards. Tune in to find out who is our male fighter of the year; our female fighter of the year; knockout of the year and more! What a year of combat it was. Cheers.

Founder's Picks: '22 MMA Awards

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