Why Did a Retired Boxer Beat an All-Time Great MMA Fighter for "Fighter of the Year"?
Let’s cut straight to the chase: Justin Gaethje’s 2025 was a masterpiece of resilience, violence, and storytelling. He returned from a harrowing knockout loss to Max Holloway, dismantled Paddy Pimblett in a fight that felt like a highlight reel, and unified the UFC lightweight title with a jaw-dropping TKO over Ilia Topuria. Meanwhile, Terence Crawford—undoubtedly a legend—retired after a single marquee win over Canelo Alvarez in 2024. Yet ESPN’s ESPYs handed Crawford their Fighter of the Year award in 2026. To me, this isn’t just baffling; it’s a symptom of a deeper disconnect in how mainstream media values combat sports.
The ESPYs: A Boxing Stronghold in a Shifting Landscape
Here’s the elephant in the room: ESPN’s institutional bias toward boxing isn’t new, but in 2026, it feels archaic. Boxing’s cultural dominance has been eroding for years, while MMA’s global reach—fueled by the UFC’s relentless expansion into markets like Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Nigeria—has surged. Yet the ESPYs, a ceremony that still leans on the gravitas of traditional sports media, seems stuck in the past. Personally, I think this award reflects ESPN’s comfort zone: Crawford’s win over Canelo was a technical clinic, but Gaethje’s year was a cinematic arc of redemption and chaos. Why does one “clean” victory outweigh a narrative-rich comeback across three fights? Because boxing, to many outsiders, still feels more legitimate.
Gaethje’s 2025: Why It Matters Beyond the Octagon
Let’s dissect Gaethje’s year, because the details matter. After his loss to Holloway—a fight that left fans questioning his chin—he didn’t just return; he evolved. His dismantling of Pimblett wasn’t just dominant; it was a psychological masterclass. Then came Topuria, a fighter many called unbeatable. Gaethje’s fourth-round TKO wasn’t just an upset; it was a statement that the UFC’s lightweight division isn’t about style points but survival. What many people don’t realize is how Gaethje’s fighting style—relentless pressure, high-risk, high-reward striking—resonates with MMA’s raw essence. It’s not about perfection; it’s about heart, adaptability, and the ability to turn a losing moment into a legacy-defining one.
The Unspoken Truth: MMA’s Credibility Problem
The ESPY snub raises a deeper question: Why does MMA still struggle for mainstream credibility? In my opinion, it’s because the sport’s physicality and lack of structured seasons (unlike boxing’s title belts) confuse casual fans. Crawford’s single, definitive victory in a sport with clear hierarchy (boxing’s alphabet soup titles) is easier to digest than Gaethje’s trilogy of triumphs in a chaotic 145-pound gauntlet. A detail that stands out to me is how Gaethje’s fights are often labeled "highlight reels"—as if their entertainment value undermines their technical merit. That’s a dangerous double standard. MMA isn’t just spectacle; it’s chess at 1,000 miles per hour.
What This Means for the Future of Combat Sports
If you take a step back and think about it, this ESPY debate isn’t about one award—it’s about generational shifts. Younger fans prioritize excitement and unpredictability; older institutions prioritize tradition. As MMA grows, will the gatekeepers of sports media adapt? Or will they cling to boxing’s fading prestige? Personally, I’d bet on MMA’s trajectory. The UFC’s partnerships with Netflix, its push into data-driven matchmaking, and its global grassroots campaigns are rewriting the playbook. But until the ESPYs—and critics like me—start valuing these narratives as much as boxing’s tidy arcs, fighters like Gaethje will keep getting overlooked.
Final Takeaway: Gaethje’s Legacy Doesn’t Need a Trophy
Here’s the silver lining: Gaethje’s legacy isn’t defined by an ESPY. His fights will be replayed, analyzed, and celebrated long after Crawford’s retirement ceremony fades from memory. What this really suggests is that the UFC’s true champions aren’t just athletes—they’re storytellers. And in the end, the fans, not the awards, decide who’s legendary. The ESPYs might be slow to catch up, but the tide is turning. One day, maybe even ESPN will realize that MMA isn’t just the future of combat sports—it’s the present.
