By Daily sports on December 31, 2020
Nigeria-born, New Zealand-based professional mixed martial artist, Israel Adesanya, has emerged International Fighter of the Year at the 12th World MMA Awards.
He brushed aside stiff challenge from top sports personalities, including his fellow countryman, Kamaru Usman, to win the award. Others nominated for the award were Aung La N Sang, Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.
Adesanya, who hails from Odogbolu, Ogun State, also won the Charles “Mask” Lewis Fighter of the Year award, beating nominees like Henry Cejudo, Justin Gaethje, Douglas Lima and Jorge Masvidal.
Fight of the Year: Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 248)
Nominees: Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum (UFC 236), Josh Emmett vs. Shane Burgos (UFC on ESPN 11), Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker (UFC on ESPN 12), Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington (UFC 245)
Knockout of the Year: Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren (UFC 239)
Nominees: Cody Garbrandt vs. Raphael Assuncao (UFC 250), Douglas Lima vs. Michael Page (Bellator 221), Sean O’Malley vs. Eddie Wineland (UFC 250), Anthony Pettis vs. Stephen Thompson (UFC on ESPN 6)
Submission of the Year: Demian Maia vs. Ben Askren (UFC on ESPN+ 20)
Nominees: Misha Cirkunov vs. Jimmy Crute (UFC on ESPN+ 16), Aviv Gozali vs. Eduard Muravitsky (Bellator 225), Bryce Mitchell vs. Matt Sayles (UFC on ESPN 7), Brent Primus vs. Tim Wilde (Bellator Europe 2).
Comeback of the Year: Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (UFC 241)
Nominees: Eddie Alvarez vs. Eduard Folayang (ONE Championship 99), Cody Garbrandt (career), Peter Queally vs. Ryan Scope (Bellator Europe 4), Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Alistair Overeem (UFC on ESPN 7)
Upset of the Year: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway (UFC 245)
Nominees: Kai Asakura vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (Rizin FF 18), Henry Corrales vs. Aaron Pico (Bellator 214), Timofey Nastyukhin vs. Eddie Alvarez (ONE Championship 92), Khama Worthy vs. Devonte Smith (UFC 241) (Yahoo Sports)
•PHOTO: Israel Adesanya
Source Daily sports
Posted December 31, 2020
You may also like...
Man Utd defeat outstanding, says Klopp
Man Utd Suffer Fresh Pogba Injury Setback
Eight clubs to compete in boxing league
10 Nigerian stars to watch out for in...
AFCON Exit: Egypt Sack Coach, FA President Quits...
Onumonu eyes another chance against Australia
Osimhen sets Turkish transfer record, €70m above second
Parker eyes Joshua rematch after Dubois bout
Adesanya sends cryptic message to Boniface
Oyome secures third consecutive IBB Ladies Open title
African champion Opeyori sets sights on more titles
Fasuba, Ogunkoya warn against over-reliance on NCAA athletes
Nwaneri breaks Saka’s EPL record
Seven potential additions to strengthen Eagles for W’Cup qualifiers
Okocha remains Nigeria’s greatest player – actor Gavor
.jpg)
Joshua backed to win another world title
Foundation opens sports academy in Ogun
UPDATED: Kenya, Ethiopia athletes win 2025 Lagos city marathon
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (55,302 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,448 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,478 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,117 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,078 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,065 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,876 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,432 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,521 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,176 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,618 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,042 views)