UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis was awarded the prestigious International Fighter of the Year title at the 16th annual World MMA Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday.

"Stillknocks" beat kick boxers Chihiro Suzuki, Zhang Weili as well as fellow UFC fighters Ilia Topuria, and Jack Della Maddalen to claim the top award.

The World MMA Awards, presented by Fighters Only magazine, celebrate exceptional achievements across all aspects of mixed martial arts.

The South African has had an outstanding year in the Octagon, capturing the title with a split-decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto earlier this year. He then successfully defended his title against two-time champion Israel Adesanya via submission at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

His victories against the two former champions also saw him surpass Bantamweight Champion Sean O'Malley as the sixth-best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings.

Meanwhile, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who had previously hinted at a return to the middleweight division to challenge Dricus Du Plessis, claimed the Charles Lewis Fighter of the Year award.

The Brazilian fighter remains undefeated in the UFC, having secured a brutal fourth-round knockout against Khalil Rountree to retain his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City this October.

Full list of winners

International Fighter of the Year — Dricus du Plessis

Breakthrough Fighter of the Year — Tom Aspinall

Fight of the Year — Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC 300)

Knockout of the Year — Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje — Overhand Right (UFC 300)

Comeback of the Year — Tom Aspinall (career)

Upset of the Year — Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya (UFC 293) (winner)

Lifetime Achievement Award — Mark Coleman

Trainer of the Year — Ian Larios

Referee of the Year — Herb Dean

IOL Sport

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