Here’s the press release, and The MMA News will post pics separately.
Anderson Silva wins Fighter of the Year Award in MMA Industry First
Anderson Silva has been voted Fighter of the Year by fans worldwide in Fighters Only’s World Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Awards, beating finalists Georges St. Pierre, Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn and Fedor Emelianenko to win the accolade. The Brazilian received an impressive 49% of the votes to become the first to win in what is set to be an annual Award driven solely by public opinion.
Fighters Only Magazine launched the awards as a way for fans to have their voices heard within the MMA industry. The public were invited to nominate whomever they wanted to win in 15 categories as long as category criteria were adhered to. The 5 most nominated entrants in each category were then compiled into short lists for fans to select their winner from. In excess of 21,000 votes were made with a full list of winners below.
‘Big’ John McCarthy was awarded a Special Achievement award for his contribution to MMA with his award being the only one decided upon by a panel of MMA writers. The Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards is an annual event with a Las Vegas based awards ceremony planned for 2009.
Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Winners
Fighter of the Year:
Anderson Silva
European Fighter of the Year:
Michael Bisping
Female Fighter of the Year:
Gina Carano
Breakthrough Fighter of the Year:
Demian Maia
Fight of the Year:
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
Submission of the Year:
Georges St.Pierre vs. Matt Hughes
Knockout of the Year:
Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine
Leading Man:
Dana White
Best Promotion:
UFC
Best MMA Brand:
UFC
Ring Girl of the Year:
Arianny Celeste
Best Overall Clothing:
Tapout
Best MMA Gloves:
Fairtex
Best MMA Shorts:
Sprawl
Best Media Coverage:
MMA Junkie
About Fighters Only
Launched nearly 4 years ago Fighters Only was the world’s first monthly MMA and lifestyle magazine. Currently available in 13 countries worldwide, Fighters Only plan to launch dedicated US and Canadian version of their publication in early 2009. Fighters Only is the only MMA publication which produces a fully interactive digital version of their magazine and as of 2009 will be producing 13 issues a year as opposed to 12.
No comments yet.