Spinning Back Clique: MMA Junkie’s major year-end awards debate
Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate MMA Junkie’s major year-end awards:
Male Fighter of the Year: Several fighters made solid cases to become our 2022 Male Fighter of the Year. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defended his title and is going to move up to lightweight to challenge for a second belt next. Alex Pereira won the UFC’s middleweight title in just his fourth fight and finished rival Israel Adesanya. Patricio Freire won his belt back in Bellator, and Christian Lee became a two-division titleholder in ONE Championship. But who was the best?
Female Fighter of the Year: After back-to-back losses to Rose Namajunas in 2021, Zhang Weili bounced back in a big way in 2022 and beat a legend, then reclaimed the UFC women’s strawweight title. But Larissa Pacheco pulled off the biggest upset in PFL history and won $1 million by beating Kayla Harrison. Who has the edge?
Knockout of the Year: Of the 12 killer KOs that won MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month in 2022, which was the best?
Submission of the Year: Of the 12 slick subs that won MMA Junkie’s Submission of the Month in 2022, which was the best?
Fight of the Year: Of the 12 baller bouts that won MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month in 2022, which was the best?
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.
