August 30, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; T.J. Dillashaw (red gloves) reacts after knocking down Joe Soto (blue gloves) during the bantamweight title bout of UFC 177 at Sleep Train Arena.
August 30, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; T.J. Dillashaw (red gloves) reacts after knocking down Joe Soto (blue gloves) during the bantamweight title bout of UFC 177 at Sleep Train Arena. REUTERS

As the end of 2014 nears, MMA Junkie, the website following the mixed martial arts world, gave out its annual recognition of fighters and matches which have been the best for the whole year. Along with renowned commentator Bas Rutten, they handed out the annual "Bazzie Awards," with some of the best of the MMA world getting thee expected recognitions.

Ultimate Fighting Championship reigning men and women's bantamweight champions TJ Dillashaw and Ronda Rousey captured the Male Fighter of the Year and Female Fighter of the Year, respectively. The scintillating performances of both champions earned raves for their individual achievements but the Fight of the Year belonged to the bloody heavyweight match between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler at UFC 171.

Dillashaw was rewarded handsomely for his win over former champion Renen Barao as that fight was also named as the Upset of the Year. Dillashaw stunned the Octagon when he finished the Brazilian via technical knockout in the fifth round of their title match at UFC 173. The leader of Team Alpha Male surprised Barao with a powerful punch in the opening salvo and never looked back in the dominating victory. Now, he is ripe with options for his defence with Barao demanding a rematch and several other lucrative possibilities in line including a match with Jose Aldo. Due to this achievement, he bested other nominees for the top plum which include Aldo, Conor McGregor, Fabricio Werdum, Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje.

Rousey, on the other hand is leaps and bounds away from the competition after proving in her last two victories that she is not all "armbar submission." The 27-year-old judo artist quickly deposed of her two previous opponents in Sara McMann who went down with a knee to the body in just 1 minute and 6 seconds while Alexis Davis did not last much longer losing via technical knockout in 16 seconds after a flurry of punches from "Rowdy." The Hollywood star is hoping to continue the streak of success as she will fight Cat Zingano next, who is a bigger threat that Davis and McMann combined at UFC 184 at Los Angeles, California. To capture the Female Fighter of the Year honours, Rousey bested other contenders such as Zingano, Carla Esparza of The Ultimate Fighter fame, Jessica Aguilar and long-time rival Miesha Tate.