UFC champions Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira highlighted Bloody Elbow's 'Fight of the Year' nominations.

Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira began the year, and ended the year, as UFC titleholders. During their 2024 runs, Makhachev and Pereira treated fans to an all-time bout against two of the most dangerous contenders in MMA today.

In his most recent title defense, Makhachev submitted Poirier late to retain the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302. But Makhachev had to ensure some deep waters against Poirier in the early rounds to rally late and tap out the UFC fan favorite.

Pereira held off the always-game Khalil Rountree Jr. in his most recent title defense at UFC 307. Just two years removed from being a relatively unknown in MMA, Pereira has skyrocketed into one of the UFC's biggest pay-per-view draws.

Makhachev and Pereira's most recent title defenses were among a few jaw-dropping bouts that Bloody Elbow considered for 2024 'Fight of the Year'. In a non-title bout, a pair of UFC lightweight up-and-comers stole the show on one of the biggest cards of 2024.

UFC lightweights Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics showcased fighting spirit, tenacity, and grit in their epic three-round war at UFC 306. The back-and-forth battle resulted in Ribovics walking away with a decision victory, but no one would've been surprised had Zellhuber gotten the nod after three hard-fought rounds.

Zellhuber and Ribovics helped ring in the UFC 306 main card headlined by Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili. After two title fights at the top of the card that left more to be desired, Zellhuber vs. Ribovics was one of the biggest post-fight talking points after UFC 306.

To no surprise, UFC CEO Dana White awarded Zellhuber and Ribovics post-fight bonuses for their efforts in the Octagon. The fight boosted the stocks of both athletes as they continued to work their way into the lightweight top 15.

Deciding on 'Fight of the Year' in 2024 was a challenging proposition, but our team felt one fight stood above the rest.

Here's how the Bloody Elbow team voted and weighed in on the 'Fight of the Year' debate.

Jordan Ellis: "This may not be the most popular choice, but Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr. is my Fight of the Year. It had everything. Rountree Jr. raced into an early lead that gave fans hope of an upset before it was shut down by a relentless 'Poatan' performance that turned ugly real quick. Rountree Jr. showed tremendous to stay in there until the fourth round, and Pereira showed great finishing instincts to get the job done inside the distance."

Donagh Corby: "What can be said about Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker's war in Perth that hasn't already gone out there? Such a battle, Hooker showing that he can compete at the top level and win, which had eluded him to this point. Big fights for him next year, and Gamrot can come again."

Jamie Theodosi: "Esteban Ribovics vs Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306. Coming into this fight, I was slightly skeptical that the UFC matched up two really strong prospects. Having said that, their fight stole what was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime show."

James Sweetnam: "Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier was undeniably a match-up that had the entire MMA community on the edge of their seats. In one corner stood the consensus pound-for-pound number one, and in the other, a man whom the world has hoped and prayed would one day reach his sporting destiny by becoming a UFC world champion. With every punch 'The Diamond' threw, his supporters gasped, hoping it would be the one to close the show. But ultimately, the Russian was too good, eventually topping off an excellent showing, by locking in a tight submission to put the MMA icon to sleep."

Curtis Calhoun: "While Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier didn't go the full five-round distance, it was an epic display of grit, high-level skill, and nonstop action for as long as the fight lasted.

Makhachev and Poirier traded big blows on the feet, and Poirier came close to putting the lightweight champion in significant trouble throughout the UFC 302 headliner. On the ground, Makhachev won the majority of the exchanges, although Poirier proved himself capable of escaping from trouble on numerous occasions.

Makhachev vs. Poirier exemplified pure violence and elite skills. The back-and-forth nature of the bout leading up to Makhachev's late-round submission win tops 2024's fight list."

Tom Llewellyn: "This is a tough one, but my argument is that heading into UFC 302, barely anyone was giving Dustin Poirier even the slightest chance at beating Islam Makhachev Yet 'The Diamond' proved why he's one of the best 155ers of all time, giving the Russian arguably his toughest test to date in the octagon - Poirier never gave up, he never stopped trying to beat the odds, and he was simply beaten by the better man. An absolute war."