Justin Gaethje lone MMA fighter nominated for 2026 ESPY award

Justin Gaethje has secured the lone MMA nomination for the 2026 ESPY Award for Best Fighter, capping off what many consider a Hall of Fame year for the lightweight champion.

Gaethje's 2025 campaign has been nothing short of historic. In January, he made UFC history at UFC 324 by becoming the first-ever two-time interim champion, decisively defeating Paddy Pimblett to claim the interim belt. His momentum carried into later that month when he faced undisputed champion Ilia Topuria at UFC White House in a unification bout widely viewed as a massive underdog matchup. Gaethje's dominant performance over Topuria ranks among the biggest upsets in UFC history and delivered him the undisputed lightweight title—the crowning moment of his career resurgence.

The ESPY recognition reflects the magnitude of Gaethje's achievements. The 2026 ESPYs marked a notable shift in the award structure: the longstanding "Best MMA Fighter" category was consolidated with the "Best Boxer" award into a single "Best Fighter" honor. This means Gaethje competes alongside boxing's top tier, including nominees Terence Crawford, Gabriela Fundora, and Claressa Shields. Gaethje remains the sole MMA representative in the category, highlighting the rarity of combat sports crossover recognition at this level.

Previous ESPY winners for Best MMA Fighter included Daniel Cormier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jon Jones, illustrating the prestige of the award within MMA circles. The 2026 ESPY Awards will broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with public voting closing on the same date.