Chael Sonnen, Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier look back on the biggest moments in the UFC in 2023. #UFC #MMA #ESPN ✓ For …
[Music] [Applause] no this is the moment you truly all have been waiting for got be willing to die for you you never feel this level of Happiness if you don’t go for something they knock you down get that resolve look at that amazing and feel this level of happiness I you rise I’m going so long away from Myers with [Music] the I used to live high mountain sky if you asked me how I left I couldn’t tell you why Country [Applause] Road I welcome the day when I’m M Mama playing with the road my [Music] St come on Take Me Home Country [Music] Ro time and the Undisputed heavyweight champion country [Music] [Applause] [Music] well the festivities began in January for what was to be a year-long celebration of 30 years of UFC action but who could have known 2023 would deliver like few calendar years before it today we celebrate the banner 2023 that was for the Combat Sports leader with a look back at all of the big moments and with that welcome inside our Plus Studio here it is the 2023 UFC year in review I’m John anic alongside a pair of bonafide mixed martial arts Legends to my right one of one the inimitable CHP sun and of course to my left the UFC Hall of Famer former double champion Daniel Cormier DC I’ll start with you man what an absolutely frantic Furious year for the MMA leader yeah it was unbelievable and John you and I had the opportunity to sit next to the Octagon for some of the biggest moments that we have ever seen in in the UFC’s history this year started with the bang with Jamal Hill becoming the champion and it just continued to get better better and better and it grew and it was one of the funnest years that I’ve ever been a part of as a part of the UFC and I just feel it’s so pivotable like when Dana White’s in front of the media next year taking a bow for doing so great in 2024 he’s going to have to thank some things that happened in 2023 I can go back to the Madison Square Garden code Jon Jones has never watched an event so closely what is gonna happen with Aspen is Stipe going to get involved now Perera says that he’s might be going up to heavyweight but Jamal Hill would like a shot first I’m just sharing for you we got a lot of loose ends 2024 is set up very nicely we’re going to clean it all up next year but coming up today we’re going to look back at all the big story lines or at least many of them from 2023 these guys will give out a handful of 2023 Awards Megan olivy sits down with one of the biggest stars of the Year sugar Shan Ali and we will also present the top plays of 2023 of course that list is open to interpretation and a lot of headline Grabbers here in 2023 it’s hard to settle on one top story line but let us begin with suar shano Ali certainly one of the biggest winners of 202 everything that he did guys he was no you want to hear about a record he’s got he was ranked number 10 he had one win over Peter yawn he went from 10 to one overnight we just haven’t had anything like that happened that draws him in to a title fight Daniel I was there live as you were but this crowd and the reception he had you might think that that’s going to elevate a guy it can also bring up pressure this young man dealt with that pressure took out possibly the greatest 35 pounder we’ve ever seen and is now the world champion you know when we saw him fight poran you recognized that he belonged at the top of the division you knew that it was not hype anymore because people always wanted to say sha Ali was cherry-picking he was fighting good fights for him he fought pan a striker that was just like him and he got the job done fast forward to Boston and you get Al Jamaine Sterling who is rolling who had just beaten Henry cejudo shauni not only stepped in there and got the job done he did it in tremendous fashion and really did not only put people on notice but elevated the entire bantamweight division yes this kid’s a star man he has it and for years his bantamweight peers really questioned just how Elite sha Ali was but when his title shot came man he didn’t miss sha Ali basically blossomed into this personality that is so much bigger than what you would imagine it could have been when he went out there on Contender series that moment thrust sea into the spotlight there’s a look at sha Omi Shan Ali he was highly touted coming into that show and what does he do that night he earns a highlight reel knockout of his own oh that’s it that is it Sean with a huge right here welcome to the sugar show always wanted to be rich I always wanted to be famous but I never knew how I would do it I was like okay this is it I’m looking for exciting I’m looking for flashy I’m looking for somebody who has that thing Shan Ali is that thing he’s the guy I would be insane not the sence kid it has been an expeditious rise from Dana White’s Tuesday night Contender series here to the greatest proven ground in the the sport om Al enters the Octagon oh Al goes high now short uppercut Techo covers up the sugar shell Ling in color it couldn’t have gone any better for sha [Applause] Ali W KO sha Ali is that perfect mix of talent and just unapologetically real it’s as good as he gets it’s C this kid has that it thing another highlight for the real there’s something about him he said he is going to be a world champion that’s always been the goal and he has never lost sight of that regardless of how popular he has become I started fighting when I was 16 years old 12 years later I’m fighting for the title shaan Ali gets his first crack at a UFC World title see what he has for the dominant Champion here in Austin massachusett Char Mali has a ton of skills how does he compete in the biggest spot this group got go out there and beat Ally I become a superstar Boston are you ready to watch me knock this dude out see you tomorrow night well if you are what you say you are a superstar not a bad time take it to the next level and cap it with a world title tonight sha Ali promises that he is going to show up and win this fight if this kid can become Champion tonight this Arena will go crazy string in a lot of trouble oh M trying to close it out here that will do it the sugar sh on top of the wall honestly this was the most nervous I’ve ever been for a fight in my eyes Alain Sterling is the best banson weight of all time but I never lost the confidence because I know what I possess in this right hand baby you just saw Sho Ali go to the next level he lands a beautiful right hand against Alaine Sterling and he finishes him there is nothing like a guy having an opportunity and then cashing it in that way UFC bwe champion of the world sugar sh open [Applause] man the kid from Montana from a babyfaced prospect to a world champion he was awarded a contract on season one of Dana White’s Contender series back in 2017 made his UFC debut about 6 months later he battled adversity but eventually got past terion wear in that fight one of his big early moments you saw in the feature it came at UFC 250 he knocked out Eddie wiland during the pandemic then UFC 252 on suffers his first career loss body failed him again against Marlon Cho Vera but of course he would respond in kind thereafter later an outstanding performance on fight Island secured the number one Contender spot from pan and then of course the championship moments at UFC 292 in Boston shano Ali the second Contender series Alum to hold a UFC belt all right a lot of other big story lines from 2023 I know these guys are excited to talk about poon Alex podo one of the biggest superstars in the sport right now and his his year began by losing the belt to Israel aagna two wins at 205 and now he’s back on top of the world it’s crazy and I’m a Marvel fan so there’s a movie called The Avengers and a guy named Thanos he there’s a blip and then everything changes that is what Alex P is he was a guy that wasn’t here and all of a sudden he’s here and he’s one of the best in the world so we go to Miami and he’s fighting Israel osna and Israel osna gets the job done you imagine now this guy who has very few fights is going to go back to becoming normal nope he goes to Bean bovich becomes the number one Contender at the next weight class and then wins the belt he is a phenomenal Talent he is a tremendous Striker and improved wrestling and he’s one of the best in the world man it’s unbelievable what he’s done I was planning to jump in on Pierre but now I got to deal with you do you think we don’t know who Thanos is what was that all about talk about Superman what Kryptonite is come on I got to tell you guys a narrative you want to hear a narrative from a year ago it’s the first triple champ we were ever going to have it’s a guy named hansot Jamaya now all of a sudden Pier who was not even in the conversation cuz he’ only had five fights he did no belts uh all of a sudden is only one win away he’s talking about going up to heavyweight you guys saw this from his coach uh Glover toer I think it’s a big deal we’re getting ahead of ourselves I understand that but as we are looking forward to 2024 Daniel it might be a fair prediction to say that Piera tries The Waters at heavyweight eventually he’s so he’s so good and the appetite for MMA knowledge is just disgusting right why isn’t he more scared by the way what’s he know about MMA what’s he doing out there on the ground should be scared he doesn’t know he doesn’t care so he can accomplish anything I mean uh Yuri was in there doing all kind of weird stuff dancing sure perea’s just looking at him like I’m going to kick your butt wow all right as we move on to another champion sh sort of hard to argue with all that Islam mosab accomplished in 2023 begins with the first fight against volkanovski and then caps the year with his ultimate career highlight to date and I’d have love to seeing a little bit of parody I mean Islam has got a little bit of everything including he’s the erar parent to the throne from King khabib himself it’s a very interesting thing Islam had to go into the fight uh with vulk there’s not a lot on it for him in All fairness this was a short notice I want to say it was 8 Days guys there’s not a lot on it for him it’s not the opponent he was pled have it’s a difficult fight there’s nothing to lose for vulk which means there’s everything to lose for Islam and he still found a way to out to himself yeah he’s amazing man he can do it all inside the octagon and he does have that star potential he will need a dance partner to elevate him though as he goes forward luckily for Islam Mev those dominant performances and those great contenders behind him the gaies the pores really have him looking like the future is very bright for the the lightweight champion of the world all right to the welterweight division what would be in store for Leon Edwards in 2023 he had one of the more viral Knockouts in UFC history in 2022 and man did he deliver and rise up again this year I mean he’s gotten better he gets better every single time Leon Rocky Edwards was known as a slick Striker but now he’s out there taking Camaro Usman down he’s taking Kobe Covington down in that performance in London really really did show who Leon Edwards is cuz not dealing with the altitude allowed for him to outman one of the greatest wealth weights of all time and then he ends the last error by beating Kobe Covington at UFC 296 when he got the jump in the trilogy over Kamar Usman The Narrative of course was well kamaro got old overnight happens to all fighters and we didn’t really give Leon his credit then when you see how well kamaro does later on with Jamay and you fast forward to UFC 296 he looked amazing I’m talking about Leon he looked amazing against Colby Covington it’s a 25-minute fight he won 25 minutes of that fight in my opinion Andy out wrestled him he out conditioned him things that we would have favored Colby in and he did this all while being very emotionally high he to bring himself back down he’s a great competitor now he certainly has taken out Kamar Usman and Colby Covington but a lot of talent coming up of course balow Muhammad who fought and won his only fight of the year against Gilbert Burns Ian masado Gary 3 and0 in 2023 right Shot Rock manov and Jack Dela Melina so a lot of potential Challengers for Leon Edwards in 2024 all right coming up next we will give you the top 10 plays from 2023 and I can assuredly tell you we had a really hard time pairing down this list we will reveal it next and discuss it with you the 2023 UFC heing review continues in a [Music] sco hello ladies and gentlemen you’re about to see something that you have never seen before the ultimate fighting challenge 30 years of Rich history Legendary Champions and indelible moment 30 years of the UFC in 302 starts now no pressure all way blood neither can be beaten wow how good is this oh he kicked him in the F once again first round finish for the champion history has been made the double CH the he want youngest champion in UFC history Look at me [Applause] [Music] now all right welcome back to our 2023 UFC year in review alongside Daniel Cormier and CH sun and I am John anx so as we look ahead to the top 10 plays of 2023 this is a year that had it all from new Champions being crowned as some of the greatest highlights you will ever see this could be argued as the greatest year in UFC history let us now reveal our top 10 plays of a memorable 2023 and we begin at number 10 with a knockout from our final live event of 2023 UFC 296 another one and done for Josh EMT DC it was crazy Knockout by Josh imit guys we have seen these types of Knockouts before but generally it’s from a kick the sound that this punch made when he landed on Bryce Mitchell was crazy we were sitting next to the octagon and it was crazy how loud it sounded and he hit him all right CH number nine the rarest of things in Austin Texas backto back slam Knockouts your car closeup first you know Matt Hughes the legend himself used to show up to the arena early he’d walk the Octagon he claimed there was harder spots and when he picked his opponent up he would try to put him down on that I’m not sure this isn’t a little bit of a flashback not just one but two in a row in almost the same position cody brage getting it done as well what a moment back to back there in Austin Texas all right number eight Robbie Lawler DC what a way to go out what a fairy tale ending for Robbie Lawler he goes in there against niik price gets The Knockout in his retirement fight no one gets it Robbie Lawler then gets a sendoff package that brings tears to one of those Violent Men we’ve ever seen in the Octagon all right number seven UFC 295 cha Tommy Aspen has arrived this is what dreams are matter of this was at the Mecca and watch the reaction by ESO he finds out that he’s the now Champion I really like a guy that’s happy to win but I also like the scat because Tom put himself at danger right these punches don’t just happen you got to step into the fire and there is your active heavyweight champion RTC at number six somewhat surprisingly this low Justin Gate’s BMF knockout of Dustin for Justin gatei with a head kick to knock Dustin por out was not something we expected he has become more and more patient and by becoming more patient he finds Knockouts that you don’t expect to see what a performance from Salt Lake City by the Highlight all right that brings us to the top five CH first pay-per-view of the Year UFC 283 welcome to the Big Show Isel Bon FEI well and mckenny is on the other side of it look I mean he’s got his hand raised plenty of times but I feel like the cage screwed him here he needed to move he need to have some footwork he couldn’t back up the fence was hold him in place perfect spot for the opponent to land the knee all right to number four DC and no doubter Alexa Gro over Valentina shevchenko this was one of the more surprising outcomes we have seen all year Alexa Gro had so much pressure on this choke that she changed the color of valentina’s face but talk about historical this changed the entire UFC flyweight division all right number three is makev with the head kick against Alexander banazi yeah and you know what I felt short changed here I wanted some more minutes I was so looking forward to this contest this have about 2 three minutes in I wanted to see the next 20 22 minutes of this but Islam who had everything at risk the grappling heavy landed the head kick for The Knockout all right number two the Alain Sterling era begins in Boston the Char Mali era look John this guy sha Ali has a ton of star potential but it was the step back right hand very reminiscent of Conor McGregor knocking out Jose Aldo that allowed for him to become the bantamweight champion of the world all right we’ll see how it goes for sha Al in 24 and then at number one Gate line Miami Florida USA CH perara never makes these mistakes I mean look you got to have your chin down and your hands up he broke that rule and he broke that rule in front of anos who’s one of the great Strikers ever and he paid for it all right we congratulate all of those athletes who cracked our very exclusive top 10 list in 2023 well no trophies in the budget per se but we do have some awards to Dole out today let’s begin with the submission of the year a play that found its way onto our top 10 for you cha son and Alexa Gro oh come on it had to be and guys I mean don’t think that I’m trying to sell you that the most impressive submission is a rear naked choke this day is back to hoist Grace at UFC 1 it was the significance it’s what the choke meant it’s the fact that she was losing she was a 4 to1 Underdog to the bullet of which she should have been I didn’t think the fight was going her way I thought that she was getting fatigued I thought we were turning to a moral Victory which means you lose the fight but you made it to the distance that is not the script that she had in mind she found a way to get to this position she found a way to get her arms around the neck she found a way to finish and that was for the world championship you know for me it was about Alexa Gro not only winning this fight by submission but what admits the entire flyweight division when you have a long reing Champion like Valentina it almost becomes who’s next and how soon does Valentina get it done she didn’t only beat her she didn’t doubles it back and beats her again she doesn’t get that opportunity if she does not force Valentina into a mistake that ultimately cost her her Championship great job by Alexa grao all right knockout of the year I think a far more competitive category so many possibilities directions in which you could go cha what was The Knockout of the year for you all right I got to give it to uh Justin gatei here look the BMF title is very relevant to me I love it I wish it had a lineage I wish we did a little bit more of them but this was a rem match and just to remind you while porier was the Victor in the first one gatei called for this fight gatei said I want to do it again I remember as a fan thinking why would either of you want to go through that bludgeoning here’s the answer because gaii had a trick for him he was going to use that kick except he was going to take it upstairs and he is now your BMF Champion yeah you know for me it was Max Holloway beating the Korean zombie look man because Max hallway not only put him out that was kind of what you almost thought may happen cuz zombie was getting up age but zombie made a decision I’m going out on my shield it was so Korean zombie that he was getting beat and he decided I’m just going to fight this dude Max Holloway finds a knockout that puts the zombie out in tremendous fashion but look at Korean zombie just going forward and Max hits him with a beautiful overhand right that face plants him and he wins unbelievable performance by Max Hollow and hats off to the Korean zombie all right knockout of the Year for me runner up drik Lewis but the hard where goes to Ben Wiis Seek and Destroy santon goes into the belly of the Beast the mecca Madison Square Garden and he puts a head kick on Matt fola that really is going to propel him into big things in 2024 you can argue Ben Wason was one of the biggest success stories on the entire roster this year and what a Capstone on his 2023 as he knocks Matt faola out cold all right plenty more Hardware coming up on this year 2023 UFC year in you but coming up next we will shine the spotlight on some high-profile athletes who laid down the gloves and walked away seemingly for good in 20203 stay with us [Music] ONN all right 2023 UFC year in review continues as we show you the five biggest betting upsets of 2023 and can we put some respect on the name brener remarkably his wins over guram kukat lad and zubera tuuga were two of the biggest upsets of the Year shout out to Nicholas Dolby bottom of your screen with for his win over Gabrielle Bonine and of course Alexa grao over Valentina chevchenko all right welcome back inside our studio John anic Daniel Cormier and Cha sunen as we now transition to the biggest and best UFC moments of the year and perhaps no singular result was as incredible as what Shan Strickland did against Israel Lanna yeah it was unbelievable he went down to austral there’s a guy named Crocodile Dundee that would wear a hat Australian well Sean Strickland went down there and he had this hat on and people started to cheer him and then he went there and he fought Israel adna a guy that was supposed to be loved in that region and he beat him the way he approached that fight Sean Strickland didn’t know himself that he could win he had doubts going into the Octagon but the moment the Octagon door closed he was on the gas the entire time and he took the belt from Ed asagna one of the best performances I’ve seen by a Challenger in a really long time great job to Sean Strickland and from Thanos to crocodile dundy you on fire today my friend all right I got to tell you guys I can’t think of anything an athlete would like to do more than to inspire but it is such a rare opportunity when you can do that you’re more likely to become a champion than you are to inspire a sport or Inspire the viewer Kamar Usman even in defeat for me was the moment of the entire year Kamar Usman on 8 days notice flew to a different continent into a weight class that he had never competed to take on a younger hungrier 3 to1 favorite in hosmat Jamay Kamar was risking everything in doing this don’t forget when Kamar Usman was champion at 170 hosmat Jamaya was a 170 pounder and they never got matched up so by Kamar accepting this fight he is risking everything it is the Ultimate Game of Poker where you all chips are in he went and did it anyway one licensed judge thought he won the fight many viewers thought he won the fight he was this close to being the number one Contender at a weight class that he’d never been in before that for me was the moment of the year I like him going in that direction it’s a little bit off the beaten path right but I like what you’re doing there and when I think back to him accepting that fight felt like one of the bigger moments of 2023 this of course will also be remembered as a year that a lot of high profile athletes retired from Hall of Famers to Legends we also had the greatest of all time walk away for good the king of Miami Jorge midal does not go out with a win but he does go out with this Showcase in Miami and uh that dude’s one1 man you got to tip your hat to game Brad mozol for what he did and what he became at the latter part of his career he became an absolute star I mean he’s a legend he’s one of the craftiest veterans that ever fought in the sport one of the greatest personalities you know sometimes your favorite basketball player ain’t got that three-pointer no more your favorite quarterback loses that rifle I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more it’s been 20 long years I love all of you UFC came here 20 years ago and it inspired me to chase this dream for 20 years 5 some fights later hopefully I inspired somebody in here to go fight for theirs no matter what it is over to Shar hangs up the gloves for good here tonight this career would have been exceptional even without a UFC title but he’s able to get that belt before he walks away wber toer breaks through at 42 you didn’t go out like that right fighting for a championship fighting and showing that grit determination nuts unbelievable tonight is a perfect night to retire and to leave it happy forever she is the greatest of all time and she has distanced herself to such an extent that I’m just not sure anyone’s going to ever catch her I mean she did it all she beat everybody double jumping forever baby ohler goes out with a walk off KO wow there are no fairy tales in fighting Robbie Lawler just living one right now he looked like the championship level Robbie Lawler he pulled out that performance from the Robbie this will go on as one of the greatest retirements in UFC [Music] history Shogun made you get chills every time he hit that curve he will go down in history as one of the all time great the Korean zombie lays the gloves down in the Octagon he will forever be Remembered absolute Legend a man who has carried a region for many many years and given us incredible moments who knows if anybody will ever do what she was able to do ever again the way she was able to hold both those belts in dominant fashion it is the end of an era for the former UFC and Pride Grand Prix champion on behalf of everyone all the fight fans around the world we want to thank you for all the sacrifice the excitement the finies so ladies and gentlemen one more time show your appreciation for the Koreans ruthless Robbie Lawler Amanda Nunes or M Clover to Sher and Jo thank you thank you thank you thank you for the members well hard not to get chills as so many mixed martial arts Legends walk away in 2023 but feels like we need to lead the conversation with the greatest of all time Amanda Nunes going out on a high note and going out on her terms yeah going out on her terms and I just remember going into the octagon with the idea that this might happen and having this pit in my stomach because she changed so much in terms of the way we view not only women in fighting but double Champions because she not only defended one belt she was going up and down in weight class and really did separate herself from the fighters in two different weight classes she truly was a special talent and it just felt like it was too soon even though you know it was probably the right time sure we always want to hold on and sometimes we hold on for too long Amanda made the right decision it was perfect and I got to tell you guys look you can’t have a comeback fight if you don’t leave first I don’t know how much I buy the retirement I know that Amanda’s got more left I mean look Cyborg and Ronda Rousey that was this big fight that never came to be those two ladies have one thing in common which is neither of them saw a second round against Amanda Nunes I mean not for nothing this girl is wonderful if she wants to go into training her motherhood I wish her the best but I’m not totally convinced that I’m signing off on the idea she’s done in the Octagon for good I’m so with you I find it exceedingly hard to believe that the competitor inside Amanda Nunes is buried forever Robbie Lawler might be done and if he is what a way for him to go out oh my goodness that was so nostalgic our our team that put that edit together Shogun is all done oh that was hard to see the great Glover to share I fought Glover a couple times in a back room DC he’s as good as people tell you he is that guy is the real deal he’s got more bullets left too but he said you know what if I can’t be Champion I’m going to pass the torch I’m going start training other guys now he’s the coach of a world champion in payera that was a pretty quick year it was crazy you know watching Robbie Lawler this guy has long been one of the most violent guys we’ve had in the UFC and the way that he went through Nico price with the uppercut and the overhand and when he went down you start to smile and then they played that package Robbie got the perfect ending and he started to the lips started to quiver yep and the tears came out from Ruthless Robbie Lawler and you thought man I’m happy for this dude and and no guy deserves it more than Robbie to go out in that way it was tremendous all right well last week we look now from sort of the past to the Future the UFC cupboard is the opposite of Bear right there’s so many Rising Stars walking through that door and for you Tatiana Suarez is the woman you’d like to highlight well and welcome back and I I got to admit guys I’m a front runner and she’s a wrestler and I’m an old wrestler at heart but I I mean I’ve got to tell you tarez doesn’t really have a close second she is taking everybody down she will tell the entire world what her game plan is if you go watch five of her fights they’re all the same fight she gets her hands on you she drags you down she’s the new school Ben ASR what Ben did when went on his run is what she is doing right now I think that she’s the top gal I’m glad that she’s not hurt anymore I’m glad that she’s back yeah she’s a phenomenal fighter in a great wrestling for me it’s see Machado Gary man sometimes you see a fighter and they just kind of have that thing this young man spoke a lot when he first jumped on the scene people react to him and he can fight he’s long he’s got tremendous strike and he’s got incredible patience and he has that it Factor now things have turned from a little a little bit as the year went to the end but a few Great Performances and Ian gar will be right back on the tip of everybody’s tongue for the right reasons he is a great young fighter he has a ton of potential all a lot of different ways you could go here honorable mention to me to Diego Lopez but Brendan Allen three and 0 this year three wins by rear naked choke five of his last six wins have come by rear naked choke submission offense I have said repeatedly is a lost Arc this dude puts people away like how many guys in the middleweight division really want to see him show up in their bracket I believe he will fight for the title in 2024 28 professional fights before his 28th birthday I am all in on ba that Paul Craig fight I I got to be honest man he was a favorite and I wasn’t sure why and then I watched the fight and was like Wow Brennan Allen is the real deal and a new award for Catch Phrase of the year goes to John anic with submission offense I like that and I’m going to use that I appreciate that and real quickly sha and Mago meta sha bullet man I thought he be your guy that dude is crazy he can fight and he he kind of looks a little crazy Char bullet is my guy also the man and also shout out to Bo nickel who made his UFC in 2023 just felt like we should at least mention his name on our 2023 UFC year in review all right coming up next we will get back to the awards as we look at the top fighters and fights of 2023 lot of different Talent from which to choose but we’ll need your winners on the other side as the 2023 UFC year in review continues live areion all right welcome back to the 2023 UFC year in review show John an Danel Cormier and Sh sunnen on hand and as we sort of Illustrated off the top of the show few men or women had a more productive 2023 than one sugar shano Ali who recently after attaining the title sat down with her own Megan oy oh trying to close it out here the SU I’m curious if you’ve heard this Mantra by Teddy Atlas our good friend and obviously a legend of the boxing game where he said the champion gets better by about 30% by just having the belt I did gain a lot of confidence knowing aljo in my eyes was the hardest fight in the division the best Grappler one of the best wrestlers he’s really well at putting together defended the belt more than anyone um he was just a very very dangerous opponent so to go out there stuff both of his takedowns and then get him out of there in seven minutes F and and and take him out um definitely gained a lot of confidence yeah you have connected with so many people my yes CH you have connected with so many chins but you’ve connected with fans around the world in Boston I mean they were chaning your name from the press conference to the weighs to the fight what do you attribute that to I I I like to think it’s you know comes down to the performances the the the amount of Knockouts the highlight reels that I put on you know you you going to knock someone out in Crazy fashion you know that’s on Instagram that gets circulating through the algorithm and then the random people start seeing it and I’ve done that a lot I’d like think I’m funny and good-looking too it helps but I attribute uh most of it to The Knockouts just the performances and obviously the UFC’s platform something’s wrong with Al’s Lake I don’t know what happened he fell down oh huge elbow from Cheeto and that is it Marlin choa stops the sugar show in round one what do you think when you look back upon that first fight with Cheeto I mean how how do you assess the whole thing what are your honest opinions I was whooping his ass he got lucky that’s that’s how I’ve felt ever since that fight happened and I do believe truly he will never admit it but he knows how lucky he got that night um but it worked out good I’m very excited never been this excited for a fight really well I mean each fight I probably will say that but yeah there’s something extra on this one how did Cheeto become the guy that was going to get the opportunity because you have a whole line OHS money money 100% and it’s not even just my call if I if it was my call it would be Cheeto but it’s not my call it’s the UFC’s call the UFC pick Cheeto because me vers Cheeto is bigger fight than me versus morab me versus Cory you know those are big fights because I’m involved but it’s I think it’s twice as big of a fight as me versus the other people I know that you are a big fan of meditation so when you meditate upon 2024 the rematch all of the goals that you have I mean how does sugar Shan stay on the throne by the end of 2024 I’d like to fight two times you know Cheeto obviously March I would love to go out there and put his lights out you know winning a decision is boring just that doesn’t sound very exciting go out there I mean if it’s a war maybe but even then it’s like taking someone out they’re done they’re finished they couldn’t continue that’s that’s what I’m that’s what I want um and then I would like to get another one in by the end of the year and be the biggest star in sports not just Combat Sports I think I go out there and put two beautiful performances together I will be as big as Connor and uh people when I say stuff like that people always like oh you would want to be Conor he’s the biggest St in Combat Sports of course I would you know want to be as big as him like when people say that sounds a little silly all right big time Awards now being handed out male fighter of the year for 2023 and people aren’t going to give you any grief for this I assure you no absolutely they’re going to but it doesn’t matter how do you question Islam motev right he has become the lightweight champion fought Alexander banovski over in Australia won a very competitive close fight then when Charles Olivera got heard bulanowski steps up this time he knocks him out he beat the number one pound bomb fighter in the world twice in a calendar year how do you question whether or not Islam mahv is the male fighter of the Year hey I think that’s very fair look I think some of the rematches maybe Drew away from it or maybe fighting the smaller guy on short not but DC you certainly make a fair point and Islam did what he was supposed to do I have perara Alex per was the 185 5B world champion within this calendar year he’s the 205b champion in this calendar year and the only fight he had in between is the one you’re looking at right now where he became the number one Contender beating the former world champion in blov this is just something very special the sport is not supposed to be done this way guys from 1993 till darn near present we found out that a grappling heavy offense is your best offense in fighting now there’s some guys that are contesting that including this man who I think was fighter of the year my male fighter of the Year oh I don’t get it vote but I would have gone Alexandre panta right I think you could have even gone Sean Strickland maybe Leon Edwards who closed the year with a win over Colby Covington and drus du plus C just to insert his name into the show his win over Robert Whitaker one of the single biggest wins across 2023 all right let’s get to the women Shale your female fighter of the year for 2023 oh this is a hard one I got to tell I really thought that the women did a good job and this is what I’m doing called the stall because generally a producer will remind me what I said since we had the meeting a week ago all right and it’s Tana Suarez Tana’s coming back guys there was a report that she was at with a broken neck I can’t confirm that a year ago there was other reports about it back but I’m just speaking to the idea that it was something very serious she has returned though she has returned to her weight class she never made an excuse she didn’t appear to have ring rush I would call her the dominant Cruz of the division she is my women’s fighter of the year my women’s fighter of the year is Jang wayy look it could have been Alexa Grell earlier I said she beat Valentine the second time no it was a draw and that cost her but Jan way Lee could be the female fighter year every single year she was dominant in her fight against Amanda limos landed more strikes in the championship fight in this division that’s never been done Amanda nunz is gone she’s not ahead of her anymore Chef Cho is not the champ this woman is dominant and she is my female fighter of the year she’s phenomenal she is the greatest athlete ever I’ve said that time and time again yeah the greatest athlete he’s ever seen and oftentimes these conversations for fighter of the Year Center on the Champions but lupy godinez had as big a year as any woman out there and there were a lot of others Aaron blanchfield as you mentioned Alexa grao not getting a fighter of the Year from these two gentlemen how about that all right lot of options of course 2023 fight of the Year DC you went with Moreno and panto there it is I mean the 125 Pounders always delivering this fight was amazing panoan was so aggressive and he hurt Moreno early but every time Brandon Moreno was able to find Space he would pick Pantoja apart in lateen the fight it was the wrestling of Pantoja that allowed him to become the flyweight champion of the world what a fight these two guys put on and CH your fight of the year we go back to per Western Australia in February Islan Mev and Alexander volovski these guys made this fight organically with the help of our partner Daniel Cormier who called volkanovski into the ring over on fight Island I mean I got to tell you this was something so special Dana White even said this fight went down as a top five drawing and selling fight in UFC history they go out there and these guys go to war you’ve got the The Undefeated goat pound-for-pound goat in volkanovski taking on the air repair to the throne in Islam this fight needed to happen it was the right fight I loved it Rafael physie Justin gatei oh my goodness Jaylen Turner Dan hooker but the fight of the Year for me and hopefully they survive Aran Al oh my goodness I mean my goodness some visuals that F that was crazy one all right so 2023 was also a big year for the big men we haven’t spent a lot of time on the heavyweight division who in that division defined 2023 for Tom Aspen because Tom Aspen represents hope he represents hope for the future in the heavyweight division he’s a guy that is going to be here for a really long time and with the way that he looked in that fight against pavlovich he looks like he’s going to be around for a while and around the championship for a while and nothing is better in a sport than having a heavyweight champion that stays around the top for a long time and I got to go with Jon Jones guys look I’m not crazy I I for me stories need to be told accurately I’m being told that Jon Jones has been a closet Champion that he grabs the belt uh in March after taking three years off and he hasn’t defended well not so fast he attempted to defend it uh on July 7th International fight week he attempted to defend it in October he tried to defend it at Madison Square guard this guy wants to be busy all right coming up next we will offer up some predictions however bold for 2024 as we start to look ahead might we see some of the UFC’s brightest stars return on big stages to The Proven ground and maybe even to MMA prominence stay with us you are watching the 2023 UFC gear and review on [Music] [Applause] ESPN all right welcome back to Vegas for our 2023 UFC year in review CH sun and John anic Daniel Cormier on hand 2023 is going to be a tough act to follow but the pay-per-view lineup show for 2024 looks absolutely absurd UFC 297 Toronto Ontario Canada January 20th Drake is dupy challenging Sean Strickland and got a little precursor UF C 296 as well and you didn’t even look at your notes excellent job Johan an I got to tell you man look at this dup pleas see and Sean Strickland and by the way for anybody that’s been under Rock and doesn’t know this is Gilbert Burns’s family in between them so Shawn very nicely asked the young people to move and then he leaps over them and gets into a street fight with the guy that he’s going to get paid a lot of money to fight in one month I mean this is crazy to watch these guys go add it in the crowd like that but like Dana White said it was my fault he goes I put him next to each why would I put him this close you know these guys are Fighters and it only adds to the excitement of the fight I know it’s not ideal but come on man these are Fighters and Fighters fight so hey I’m all the way in and I know for you it’s not ideal the UFC 298 is at the Honda Center in Anaheim California but you’ll be there because a lot of people believe Ilia topura may be the stiffest challenge of Alexander volkanovski’s featherweight ring I could stay at home and lose a belt in Anaheim that’s how bad I am in that place but let me tell you one thing these two guys fighting for the championship is going to be amazing ilot Toria is just meat and potatoes enough to where he might be an issue for Alexander vinoski because vinoski doesn’t wow you he’s a guy that beats you with the basic but so does torya and they don’t like each other torya is chirping he believes that he can get it done against the best pound fighter we have seen in the world for a very long time but how does vog look when he goes back after getting knocked out for the first time in his career that’s the real question it’s a timing issue I mean in the world of boxing in history supports it they don’t the fighters don’t look the same if they come off a knockout this is going to be a real test for vul he wanted the quick turn around got to be careful what you asked for sometimes you might get it and then CH UFC 299 the sugar show descends upon Miami act two Cheeto Vera shanal hey this is the right fight Cheeto Vera has earned this but surprisingly it’s the champ that wants it it’s Ali that has called for this he said I want that one back and you know the first fight it went to Cheeto Vera then of course the sugar State athletic commission reviewed it they called it a no contest but these guys are going to figure out this time for the Ultimate Prize of a World Championship in a main event of a Pay-Per-View come on I can’t wait and in honestly it it is perfect Miami Sean we went to Miami this year and it was a phenomenal fight town and Izzy Leed the day so you got to bring a star to Miami and no star is ready to shine brighter than sha Ali but Cheto Vera feels like he has the fight style that can give om Ali problems every single time this will be a great fight hey the fans love Ali but everybody loveso he is the coolest guy on the planet going to be very interesting to see who has the crowd there coming up in March at UFC 299 all right holiday wish list Chay I need a few fights that you hope we see in 2023 sure I’d like to get our active Champion Tom aspadol with our Undisputed champion in John Jones I would love to see gaii uh versus Islam I’m just told her that’s going to happen and totiana swar as she was my women fighter of the Year versus Daniels women fighter of the year in Jean Way Le they’re the same weight class it’s time to fight you know for me it always seems like I’m picking people that I know and I like so look my wish list is I want to see Islam makev get a chance to fight Leon Edwards at 170 pounds then I do want to see I want to see Joan Stipe whichever of them fight Tom Aspen and then I need to see sha Ali get an opportunity to fight Devin Haney The Talented boxer because they’ve been going back and forth that would be a fun fight sold you get a bad rap for not doing your homework man this guy’s as prepared as any analyst out there Sean M Devin Haney I’m not mad at it I’m not mad at it all right well this may sound hyperbolic but how good is this first quarter of 2024 for the MMA leader among the highlights February 24th back to Mexico City we hit Saudi Arabia for the first time on March 2nd we have not been to Atlantic City in a long time we’ll be back there March 30th UFC 300 in Vegas on April 13th and also no UFC from that sphere here in Vegas in September absolutely can’t wait for that all right welcome back to to the 2023 UFC year in review show John anic CH son and Daniel Cormier as we look ahead to 2024 a prediction for us for the new year I feel like we are going to see a champion versus champion fight I don’t know who it’s going to involve makev has spoken of it Edwards has spoken of it somebody will go up to the next weight class and challenge to become a double Champion I believe that happens next year I love champ champ fight so I’m all for that one I got to tell you guys I think that the timing of Strickland versus duplicity is a little bit too convenient I think they’re trying to get a champion established for UFC 100 300 to draw into the return of osia and Osa rematch with Strickland are finally closing out that piece of business that he and dup plusy got started that’s my prediction we do see Izzy back and I think we see him as quick as 300 all right y’all may think I’m crazy but I think we see Conor McGregor fight twice in 2024 once in the Octagon once in the streets no I think he’ll be it in the Octagon I think we see Conor McGregor back I just don’t think he’s going to enjoy his retirement if he doesn’t collect a few more MMA scalps I think we see Connor twice in the Octagon in 2024 perhaps some optimism there all right we got to get on out of here that does it for the 2023 UFC year in review show and indeed what a year it was for the Combat Sports leader with that for Daniel Cormier CH sunnen and our outstanding crws in Bristol and Vegas John anx signing off happy Holidays happy New Year we will see you in 2024