According to MMAfighting, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ earned 107 points to win the award, with Oliveira coming in second with 87 points and Gane coming in third with 53 points.

Usman had a fantastic 2021, winning all three of the fights he contested. In February, he knocked out former partner Gilbert Burns, followed by a knockout victory over Jorge Mashvidal in April and a unanimous decision victory against Colby Covington in November.

The Nigerian has also been ranked the best pound-for-pound fighter in the franchise after earning knockout (punches) victory in three of his last five fights. He beat Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya to the accolade.

His performance in 2021 has earned him comparisons with one of the all-time best UFC fighters, Georges St-Pierre and given the quality of his opposition in 2021, the resounding way he won the fights and his activity level, Usman became an easy choice for the Fighter of the Year award.