Image: Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Another lively 12 months have somehow come and gone in mixed martial arts. The Professional Fighters League, Rizin Fighting Federation, ONE Championship, Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship all pressed forward in various forms, as the sport continued to oscillate across countless cities, countries and continents. Rulebooks were amended. Cream rose to the top. Alliances formed. Longtime thoroughbreds ran their last race.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship remains the industry pacesetter through it all. What started with a women’s strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas in the UFC Fight Night 249 main event on Jan.