In the first half of 2024, the MMA world has been buzzing with notable events including UFC 300 featuring a legendary fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira‘s dominance as Fighter of the Half-Year, and Brian Ortega‘s remarkable submission victory, while UFC continues to dominate despite challenges like injuries and lawsuits.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and as usual, there’s been plenty to have for fight fans.
Just past the midway point of 2024, there’s no shortage of talking points. The UFC machine continues to roll on in the face of injuries, a major lawsuit, and Conor McGregor being Conor McGregor.
PFLator is on its maiden voyage. And BKFC has emerged as one of the most talked-about promotions in all of combat sports, carving out its own path while the likes of KSW, ONE Championship, and RIZIN continue to work for their pieces of the pie.
MMA Fighting’s Shaheen Al-Shatti, Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew take a look back at what went down over the past six months and pick out some of 2024’s best, worst, and weirdest moments so far.
Fight of the Half-Year: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje — UFC 300
Meshew: Rewind the clock a few months back to the beginning of this year. Fans were slowly working themselves into a lather about UFC 300 and how it wasn’t any good because the UFC didn’t book any incredible fights for it.
Is the BMF belt real? No. Did anyone care? (Mike) Heck no. This was violence nirvana: The most exciting fighter in MMA history (Gaethje) vs. a top-20 exciting fighter who is also one of the most beloved (Holloway).
For 24 minutes and 50 seconds, Gaethje and Holloway beat the bejesus out of each other. Gaethje was repeatedly hurt and battled back. Holloway got dropped (unofficially) for the first time in his career.
I won’t waste more digital ink on the knockout as someone else will discuss it momentarily… but in those waning seconds… Max etched himself into history with one of the greatest finishes to a fight any of us have ever seen.
Honorable Mention: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier — UFC 302