After another incredible month within the world of the UFC, that saw four live events, two title fights and a bucket load of incredible knockouts, upsets and moments, September has finally come to an end.
In a month with one of the shortest UFC cards of the modern era, September has been an interesting month to say the least and we certainly aren't short of contenders for each of our monthly awards, so without further ado, let's get started with The MMA Mindset's monthly UFC awards, September edition.
Submission of the Month
There's no doubt on who wins the award for the best submission in the UFC throughout September and it's not for the submission itself, but the circumstances surrounding it. Taking a fight against Roosevelt Roberts on short notice, Kevin Kroom made his UFC debut as a pretty large underdog, but after scratching and clawing for years to finally get into the octagon, he wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste.
It took Kroom just 31 seconds to lock in a vicious guillotine choke and secure the victory in emphatic fashion, immediately announcing himself to the MMA world. Well played, sir.
Winner: Kevin Kroom vs Roosevelt Roberts - Guillotine Choke (UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs Hill)
KO of the Month
I don't really know what to say about this other than Khamzat Chimaev is the absolute man. Despite many crediting Gerald Meerschaert as Chimaev's toughest test to date and some even expecting the American to beat Chimaev, I'm looking at you Chris, the Russian obliterated Meerschaert, knocking him out ruthlessly in just 17 seconds. Very well deserved award.
Winner: Khamzat Chimaev vs Gerald Meerschaert (UFC Fight Night: Covington vs Woodley)
Best Post Fight Interview of the Month
Despite many doubting Israel Adesanya's chances against the then-undefeated Paulo Costa, I'm looking at you again Chris, Izzy made easy work of the Brazillian and comfortably secured a dominant victory, but it was his interview after the fight that I enjoyed the most. After giving a run of the mill interview, Adesanya called out all fighters who miss weight and really pointed out the flaws in the system with how these guys actually benefit from their failed weight cuts. Izzy suggested the UFC fine fighters who miss weight a lot more than they do now and I'm all for that suggestion. Fair play Izzy.
Winner: Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa (UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa)
WTF! Moment of the Month
I don't even know where to start with this one without getting angry all over again. I lost so much respect for UFC veteran Ed Herman after this fight. In a bizarre series of events, Mike Rodriguez, who was seconds away from finishing Herman with ground and pound was pulled off by the referee who called a time out for a low blow which never happened.
Replays showed there was no low blow and the referee was mistaken, but Herman milked the timeout and pretended to he was struggling after the 'low blow' essentially using the timeout to recover from the beating Rodriguez had put on him. To make matters worse, Herman went on to win the fight with a kimura in the very next round. Jesus.
Winner: Ed Herman's 'Low Blow' Denies Mike Rodriguez a Certain Win (UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs Hill)
Fight of the Month
Once this fight was upgraded to the main event, there were many who rolled their eyes at it and scoffed at the idea of a Michelle Waterson vs Angela Hill fight living up to such a billing, but boy did it deliver.
A five-round war, the fight was action packed from the get go and delivered on all counts with Waterson emerging with a close, some would say controversial, decision win over Hill. Way to prove the doubters wrong, ladies.
Winner: Michelle Waterson vs Angela Hill (UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs Hill)
Performance of the Month
This one was another easy one to give. Despite both men coming into this one undefeated, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya looked like he was leagues above challenger Paulo Costa. Costa never really got going and through leg kicks and superior movement, Izzy schooled the Brazillian on his way to a second round TKO, reminding the world who the best middleweight in the sport truly easy.
Winner: Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa (UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa)
The 'Ultimate Fighter' of the Month
This one could have gone to any number of fighters. Adesanya for his excellent performance against Costa, Chimaev for his brutal knockout over Meerschaert or Colby Covignton for his dominant win over Tyron Woodley, but I've got to give it to brand new UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
The Polish fighter was looked at as nothing more than an opponent for Dominick Reyes to destroy on his way to claiming the light heavyweight throne, but Blachowicz had other ideas and brutally put Reyes to sleep inside two rounds. Despite being the underdog, Blachowicz looked the better fighter from the get go and truly deserves his place at the top of the mountain.
Winner: Jan Blachowicz
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