On Thursday night the annual ESPY Award show aired on ABC. The UFC saw two of its fighters walk away with awards that night as Conor McGregor was awarded the “Best Fighter” award and Holly Holm was awarded the “Best Upset”of the year.
The award show recognizes the accomplishments that occurred in the sports world from the previous year. With categories like “Best Championship Performance” and “Best Record-Breaking Performance” its more of an excuse to get all of the world’s most famous athletes under one roof. What the awards lack in significance it makes up in exposure as the annual award show draws millions of viewers each year. The fact that two mixed martial artists one awards is a major sign that the sport had entered the mainstream and is there to stay.
McGregor beat out fellow mixed martial artist Robbie Lawler but also beat out popular boxers Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin, and Roman Gonzalez. McGregor was also nominated for “Best Breakthrough Athlete” but came up short as that was awarded to Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta.
Holm’s shocking upset win over Ronda Rousey beat out Middle Tennessee’s win over Michigan State in the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament and Roberta Vinci victory over Serena Williams at the US Open. Holm was also nominated for “Best Play” but lost to Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.
Both McGregor and Holm have fights lined up very soon. Holm will be facing Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on FOX 20, which takes place July 23 from United Center in Chicago. It will be Holm’s first fight since losing the bantamweight title to Miesha Tate at UFC 196.
McGregor will have his rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in Las Vegas on August 2oth. The popular Irish fighter will look to avenge the loss to Diaz which happened back in March.