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Happy New Year from Las Vegas but before we go Full Speed Ahead on 2023 this is the show to look back and celebrate the best of a record-setting year in 2022. legendary action went down inside the Octagon delivering moments that will last forever this is UFC honors presented by Toyo Tires welcome into our UFC Apex Studio Brendan Fitzgerald with UFC Olympic Center Hall the Irish Dragon Felder in 2022 including Dana White’s Contender series road to UFC and of course a robust UFC schedule there are 58 total events that is the most ever when you think back to 2022 Paul what would you think of I think it was busy and awesome and a lot of drama and a lot of upsets and those being included in the title fights that we had this year I mean right at the end of the year obviously you know the middleweight Championship Changing Hands kamaro Usman and Leon Edwards the welterweight belt changing hands and just some incredible events in New York City in fight of the nights just some absolute loop back and forth battles and I just think we’re seeing the stock of these Fighters raise up to that next level right this next generation of Fighters can do it all submissions wrestling grappling they’re growing up in the gym and it’s really starting to Showcase well UFC honors presented by Toyo Tires is the UFC’s official annual Awards programming uh recognizing the athletes and the moments and the events that were in a year later on in the show USC president Dana White has two categories that he specially chose and uh will reveal the winners of those Awards later in the show first uh The Fan Choice Awards are these and these were announced on social media as voted by you the fans knockout of the year and comeback of the year who else Leon Edwards at UFC 278 the submission of the year was Islam mcconchev’s Championship moment in Abu Dhabi the event of the Year Madison Square Garden where it always seems to get crazy at UFC 281 with arasania and Pereira in an epic fight in the main event and the debut of the Year came in Harris France where we debuted in France and a boost magomedov debuted with an impressive knockout of Dustin stoltzfus all UFC honors Award winners will receive this trophy celebrating their first but zero in on The Knockout of the year and we just showed you Leon Edwards at UFC 278 we will remember Salt Lake City for all that it was and uh the event that it was and the fight going One Direction and then the shot heard around the MMA Worlds by Leon Edwards to deliver him the UFC title and it’s not like we were talking about before the show began right everybody remembers where they were whether they were looking at this happen or had to Puff their head up and realize what had just happened listen Leon had a couple of moments in this fight but Kamara Usman was dominating this fight hitting his takedowns he looked just as good on the feet Landing significant strikes doing some damage but just to control and then this head kick that Leon sets up with that fake left hand followed with that left kick upstairs and I mean just a picture perfect head kick when you dream about knocking your opponent out leading up to a fight as a UFC fighter myself back in the day I mean that that is how you imagine ending a title fight in the end of a fifth round you’re on the you know you’re on your way to losing and then you pull that out yeah he set it up and he got tons of motivation from his corner it was just one of those moments you will always remember that UFC History Month even if that was your UFC debut to have a flush head kick like that and a knockout a highlight of that caliber on your reel but to do it in a championship fight and then of course made extra special by when it happened 56 seconds left in the fight ball The Comeback of the ages for them and that just goes to show you that when you’re at this level these athletes can pull it out I mean they’re getting so good the cardio is there but the corner work too You Gotta Give the credit to Leon’s corner here they did not doubt that he was capable of going out there in that fifth round in a fight that he was clearly losing on all the judges scorecards and they knew that he had what it takes to pull it out even the timing of how John Addicks saying he’s not cut from that claw and then boom he pulls off that head kick I mean to me it’s it’s one of the top five if not top three greatest UFC moments and Knockouts in all of its history well they call him Rocky Edwards and is certainly and then the nickname to back it all up story for Leon Edwards accepting his award for knockout and comeback of the year what’s up everybody it’s Leon Rocky Edwards here USC Waterway champion of the world um I want to take this time out to say thank you to all the fans that vote for me for knockout of the year and come back here was it my main aim for the year I want to say thank you to all the fans again um it truly means a lot next year a lot to defend my belt and still pound for pound headshot Bang legendary moment and uh what a message from Leon Edwards of course the big question is what does he do next to follow that up certainly a lot of eyeballs will be on him but this of course is the show where we look back at 2022. let’s continue with the submission of the Year and that went down in Abu Dhabi Islam against the all-time submissions leader in UFC history Charles Oliveira islamicacha got it done he realized the championship moment he’s the the Protege of one Habib nurmaga medov and he gets it done in Abu Dhabi and not only did it get it done but he went out there he dominated the fight on the feed he dominated on the cage he dominated on the mat with his wrestling and his Jujitsu to take out Charles Oliveira who goes down holding the record for most submissions in UFC history and do that in Abu Dhabi it was incredible to see that to see Habib be able to hoist him up in the air with that belt that he had held for so long to pass that on to his produce it was unbelievable what do you think of a moment like that for a guy like Islam makachev who many were saying is an eventual champion ultimately he gets crowned and makes good on what a lot of people expected of yeah you know he just he lived up to everything that we thought he was capable of but did it even in more impressive fashion I really thought I called that fight I thought Charles Oliveira was going to put up more of a fight I thought it was going to be back and forth I I thought there was a dang good chance that Islam was still going to pull it off and become the champion but I think we expected a little bit more he went out there looked good on the feet controlled all the grappling exchanges and then to be able to sub him like that and it was quick that just shows the squeeze and the strength that these guys have coming out of that dagestani camp with khabib it’s unbelievable he tapped immediately to that and we’ve seen him tap people with that submission before you just look at his back when he’s in the middle of that yeah yeah no thanks it wouldn’t feel good on the bottom of that uh of course uh he now goes on the road to fight Alexander volkonoski to try to defend that 155 pound title if you know anything about the UFC you know that when we go to the world’s famous arena Madison Square Garden every November we bring the goods that was no different the event of the Year UFC 281 Israel arasanya and Alex padeta throw down in an epic fight another comeback come from behind Victory if you will for Alex padeta who takes the belt off about assignment and you know we talk about the Kamara Usman and Leon Edwards fight this fight a little different right that one was much more back and forth but again it looked like Israel was going to pull that off and then paeda does what he does best goes out there and lays hands on chins and puts people out Michael Chandler I mean you know Dustin Poirier unbelievable The Knockout there with Frankie Edgar on his retirement day so sad but yet you get to see somebody on the up that fight had it all that whole card was unbelievable and I got to watch that pretty much as a fan I was working the desk for that event to sit down there on the floor and feel the energy from that crowd with those fights going on in particular the Poirier and Chandler fight I mean Dustin Poirier just lives for those guys so does Michael Chandler he doesn’t know how to be in anything other than an absolute all-out War what can you say about the atmosphere of a Madison Square Garden what it does to the event it is different it’s just different when you show up from the fight week you know you arrive in New York you’re walking around the city you’re right there in Midtown you’re walking around on Times Square all the UFC fans are outside the hotel they know where everybody’s going to be you can feel the energy and you can see it on the fighters when they make that walk in MSG they mean business they’re all going out there to put on the best performance they’ve ever done they’re all going out there to collect those checks I have to shout out Zhang Wei Lee who got our strawweight Championship back over Carlos Spartan with a submission she kind of like improvises it’s unbelievable yeah so uh we’ll hear from John Wayne Lee in a little bit as well but not for that event meanwhile we go to the debut of the Year Paris France we debuted there as a promotion but it was a debut fighter representing Germany abruz and you can’t do it any better than this in terms of breaking onto the scene in the UFC yeah a boost is a guy that had a lot of success outside of the UFC and finally makes this debut against stoltzfus and wastes no time goes across kicks him Square in the face busts his lip wide open the fact that stone boost didn’t go down right there but then he just follows it up it’s just I mean I was okay inside for that the impact of that front kick followed up by these just monstrous punches he’s got great wrestling as well good Jujitsu this guy is a beast for that weight class of 185 and he’s also just well-rounded and a fun fighter to watch I’m a spoiled glass yeah I got to call these I was going to say 19 seconds for The Knockout the debut in Paris France too that had to have been special and the crowd there you want to talk about the energy in Madison Square Garden Paris frame that place was insane man the crowd was going crazy when you think of France you don’t necessarily think of wild Rowdy crazy crowds right they were well uh we’ll see years in the making to get to Paris France and the UFC did so in 2022 won’t be the last time we mentioned at the top of the show UFC president Dana White picks specific winners in special categories of two uh UFC honors Awards here are the nominees for fight of the year again [Applause] you hit him again [Applause] oh my goodness you picked him up oh oh my oh my goodness [Applause] got hit back now you know what Dustin on your back oh he’s got it huge moment what a fight my heart’s uh through my chest right now mine too most highly anticipated matchup in a long time straight right hand jumps Burns Construction [Applause] again [Applause] [Music] good job guys oh nicely done by sumo darji again [Applause] [Applause] oh by Mack and remarkably still two minutes to go round two that shell is a warrior [Applause] he’s a submitter yes wow that might be one of the greatest comebacks we’ve ever seen now that was sick with everybody yeah wow gets him down straight into Mount he better not tripped his knees hit right hand gets through for Grover good shot trying to control posture late in the round he’s a massive box could last two wins have ended by round two knockout nice jab there up here to partially stun to Shara he’s going to high God but to get him through now oh big elbow right through oh massive right from Tashara prohaska [Applause] oh big mistake oh hey guys heavyweight champion [Applause] Heidi Andrew here and we just saw the great list of nominees for this year’s President’s Choice UFC honors fight of the year and of course there were so many memorable fights in 2022 but there can only be one winner it is my absolute honor to announce that this year’s selection goes to Gilbert Burns Hazmat chamayev now of course you’ll remember it was UFC 273 the scene was set in Jacksonville Florida and it was toe-to-toe action for three rounds the first round has met him I have proving that he was really ready for his first sense against an always game Gilbert Burns he walked away the winner of that first round in fact all three judges had him up on the scorecards for that one Gilbert Burns battled back in the second but ultimately it was Hasma chamayab in the third to walk away and keep his o intact now congratulations to those winners but we have to also say a special shout out to Yuri profasha Glover to share that Epic War five rounds ending in a submission by Yuri with just seconds it will go down as one of the greatest fights in 205 history of course we mentioned there can only be one winner that’s Gilbert birds as much am I of and here’s more from our winners this year what’s up guys we’re here and they just got the news if I got the UFC owners April 2022 who is elected one of the best fights and I got the UFC honors for it so I’m very happy thank you UFC I love the company thank you all the fans you guys are the best and here to stay you know 2023 now looking forward to give you guys another fight of the Year let’s go thank you guys so much we’ll keep going let’s go thank you Dana White thanks to my fans and we’re coming soon take it about 2023. oh word there and certainly respect with each of these guys Gilbert Burns was the first person to make Hamza chimaya look human Paul yeah and uh did so at welterweight which of course she might have now flirting with middleweight and who knows what he’s going to do next Gilbert Burns stock went up despite not winning that fight yeah 100 it’s one of those things when you’re so counted out and people think that you buy him is the next coming he you know he can’t be beaten he’s too strong he’s too aggressive he’s too mean and Gilbert Burns just had a chip on his shoulder that entire fight whether he was on his back fighting his guard throwing Hammer fist throwing punches he just wanted to prove the entire time to homzat I am here and I’m not going anywhere and obviously he landed that big right hand and the uppercuts and was able to put him down I think we’re looking at some of the highlights here it was just back and forth and shamaya I think maybe underestimated him a little bit but I think he also wanted that kind of a fight right he talked about that that he wants to be in these wars he wants to be in those battles he’s a true fighter and he got to show that it it’s one thing to go out there and finish everybody but we don’t really trust you to become a champion someday until you really get tested and he’s been tested so I’m very excited to see what 2023 is going to hold for shamaya and for both of those guys UFC 273 in Jacksonville Florida last April was when that one went down this UFC honors presented by Toyo Tires and there is one more award to give out by Dana White here are the nominees for performance of the year already a little bit different approach from andraj not forward pressure she said I need to be more tactical in this fight chick got to the chin it’s not what we usually see from Minecraft has been known to Blitz forward and throw caution to the wind oh right cross entrage decides to close the distance can she get her down does it matter oh my God I was talking about getting him to the ground Jessica Andre wow that looked tight immediately strong weights she has returned oh he heard him again he heard him again [Applause] was a beautiful double leg there oh boy runs him over on the ground pound fantastic round one two three how about iron Michael Chandler wow [Music] oh that’s a huge shot this could be it and Molly senses it and Molly does not cash he’s gonna go for it she’s gonna swing oh there it is again look how confidently she’s fighting tonight she’s at the shark in there at the moment Michael now she really is I remember that’s the way she always fights oh nice Molly’s having a lot of success with that right hand words wow what an unbelievable moment for me Paul Molly that is absolutely bonkers what an inspired performance from Molly McCann this is where we had a lot of success to fight one look at that takedown Dave Big Shots Big Shot oh my goodness well he’s beating her up oh and again that’s a big shot oh spinning back there and that’ll do it Sean putting a Capstone on the rematch oh my gosh oh heavy King spitting attack to the body now from Cheeto Vera oh there’s a nice head kick seeing this is where Chito starts to get ahead is when he starts Landing those kicks he gets his rhythm bad that would hurt him bad Geno stalking his prey there he is again unbelievable out front shito hasn’t got a park on him and on the flip side Rob fox face is falling apart oh wow straight upstairs there it is again next again late in the round on waddling legs [Applause] Heidi Andrew back here and those were the nominees for this year’s UFC honors President’s Choice performance of the Year another stacked category but there can only be one winner this year the performance of the year goes to jeanway Lee you’ll remember this fight UFC 275 in Singapore the rematch with Johanna yunjaycheck and it was set to be a classic throughout the first round then in the second round yo Chong Wei Lee landed a perfectly timed spinning back fist to put the former strawweight Queen out and close the chapter on this storied rivalry now I’d be remiss to not mention some of the other names on this list of course Molly McCann in her epic finish over lawana Carolina blowing the roof off that building in the O2 London of course her home and then Michael Chandler that front kick to Tony Ferguson’s face knocking him out as absolutely spectacular no one does that to Tony Ferguson so there were a lot of memorable moments a lot of Great Performances but a John Wayne Lee who walks away the winner and here she is thank you UFC and Dana for honoring me with the performance of the Year award 2022 has been a great year for me to grow as a fighter and to come back to be a champion again I want to thank everyone who spotted and believed in me thank you well Zhang Wei Lee is a champion again heading into 2023 the fight that got her the title shot at MSG went down in Singapore and uh we’ve known for years now that John Wayne Lee is a top caliber athlete especially in MMA and at the highest level but that spinning back Fist from somebody who knows something about a spinning elbow or a spinning back fist what do you think oh man I mean and to do it in a rematch against one of the best female Strikers in UFC history to let that move is unbelievable and just so well timing she’s so strong she’s so fast she’s so athletic and we’ve just seen so many improvements in her game but this fight the first one was insane then she comes out and just puts a stamp on it and lets her know huh look at that oh I mean there’s no answer when you Flatline somebody straight to the canvas and they’re like you know what yeah it’s done that’s a beautiful spinning back fist well that was at uh UFC 275 in Singapore the rematch of their epic Clash at UFC 248 March of 2020 and for Zhang Wei Lee she is a champion that’s held the belt twice now and that division is as stacked as it gets on the women’s side of things yeah it’s going to be uh very interesting to see how things play out in 2023 and I think she has the ability to hold it for a while now and I think when you first get that belt and it slips through your fingers and things don’t go your way you lose a little bit of confidence but now with those two performances that she’s had to end her 2022. I think she could definitely become a champion that holds onto that belt for an extended period of time we shall see speaking of 2023 UFC honors we will sit here at the beginning of 2024 and we’ll be handing out these Awards to the performances and the fighters and The Knockout and the submission of the year in this coming year Paul’s reaching for it right now if you want a comeback fight baby you can win one of them yeah right I’m not I’m not I’m not getting one of them if I come back unless it’s you know old guy of the year uh we’ll see if they Institute that category but uh for for thinking ahead who do you see see as far as contenders for this award in 2023 as we look ahead there are a lot of guys right we were kind of while all the interviews are going on there’s there’s many names to be discussed but I think you’ve got to mention Ilya taporia this guy everybody’s talking about him in the featherweight division he’s an animal man he’s got unbelievable Jiu Jitsu and fantastic striking and just got that meanness that you want to see from a true Contender hamsa shamaya is he going to go 185 is he going to be at 170 we don’t know uh Cheeto Vera you know and just the whole 135 pound division that’s the division people really need to be looking for on 2023 my buddy Bala Muhammad I mean he’s just had an unbelievable 2022 and now let’s see where he goes from here because now you are at the tippy top of a division you’re calling for all the shots you’re making all the noise you’re doing the right things I’m curious to see where his year is going to go in 2023 we could definitely be handing one of them out if things go according to plan for Muhammad so that’s just a few yes as you said there’s a lot of names the heavyweight division is kind of crawling its way back up to to be something that we need to be looking at also sugar Sean O’Malley has climbed into Championship contention new territory as you mentioned the bantamweight division that division is stacked UFC honors presented by Toyo Tires oh it’s a nice look back on 2020. for more information you go to ufc.com honors for all the info on this award and Beyond 2023 should be good but of course it has a lot to live up to after a record-setting year in 2022. for Paul Felder Brandon Fitzgerald we will watch it all unfold this year right along with you thanks for watching UFC honors