Voting for the 2012 Women’s Mixed Martial Arts Awards concluded this past week and winners have been crowned in more than a dozen categories. For the second consecutive year, new UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey has been named Female Fighter of the Year.
As in past years, 2012 once again featured many excellent women’s bouts and voting was very close for 2012 Fight of the Year. That distinction goes to the spirited rematch between Sarah Kaufman and Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis at Strikeforce: “Tate vs Rousey.” A full list of all award winners is below.
Fight of the Year
Sarah Kaufman vs Alexis Davis – Strikeforce: “Tate vs Rousey” (Part 1 | Part 2)
Female Fighter of the Year
Ronda Rousey (2-0 in 2012)
Female Featherweight (137-146) of the Year
Julia Budd (2-0 in 2012)
Female Bantamweight (127-136) of the Year
Ronda Rousey (2-0 in 2012)
Female Flyweight (117-126) of the Year
Jessica Eye (4-0 in 2012)
Female Strawweight (107-116) of the Year
Carla Esparza (2-0 in 2012)
Female Atomweight (97-106) of the Year
Jessica Penne (2-0 in 2012)
Female Newcomer of the Year
Joanne Calderwood (4-0 in 2012)
Amateur Female Fighter of the Year
Tecia Torres (5-0 [amateur] in 2012)
Knockout of the Year
Kaline Medeiros def. Stephanie Eggink by KO (Punch) at 0:07 of Round 1. (Watch)
Submission of the Year
Jessica Eye def. Zoila Gurgel by Tech. Sub. (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 0:58 of Round 1. (Watch)
Promotion of the Year
Invicta Fighting Championships
Sponsor of the Year
Headline of the Year
Ronda Rousey Signs With The UFC
Fan Vote: 2012 Favourite Female Fighter
TOTAL VOTES: 1489 (top five shown)
1) Bec “Rowdy” Hyatt: 265 Votes (18%)
2) “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey: 195 Votes (13%)
3) Miesha “Cupcake” Tate: 155 Votes (10%)
4) Jessica “Evil” Eye: 143 Votes (10%)
5) Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig: 104 Votes (7%)
Inspirational Female Fighter of the Year
(Photo Credit: UFC.com)
Wow, Marloes did not win top 145 lber. after her devastating victory over Fiona Muxlow?
Marloes’ win over Muxlow was on Dec 31st – too late to have an effect on the voting. Plus Muxlow was a late replacement. Budd’ was very impressive in her two wins, and considering how far she had to come back rehabbing her right elbow, I agree Julia was top 145 for 2012
Marloes’s win definitely still counted in the voting and that was one of the categories that was very close. Julia narrowly won out and I think that either one would have been a deserving winner. They both had a good year.
Congrats to all the ladies of MMA. It was a great year and think 2013 will be even better.