The UFC lightweight champion may have to secure more votes than three boxing stars to take home an ESPY award on July 15.
2026 has already been an incredibly successful 12 months for Justin Gaethje, as he finally realized his dreams contained in the UFC Octagon.
After two failed attempts in 2020 and 2022, Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria on the White House earlier this month to finally claim the undisputed title at 155 kilos.
And that achievement has helped earn ‘The Highlight’ a spot on the small list of nominees for the combat sports category at this 12 months’s ESPY Awards.
It’s Justin Gaethje vs three boxing stars on the 2026 ESPY Awards — who should win? 👊
Justin Gaethje joins Terence Crawford, two more boxers as a ‘best fighter’ nominee on the 2026 ESPY Awards
The ESPYs cover the period between July 1, 2025, and June 31, 2026.
Since 2019, the combat sports category has been split into separate awards for MMA fighters and boxers, but it is going to be reverting to 1 joint ‘best fighter’ category in 2026.
After Merab Dvalishvili edged out Dricus du Plessis, Islam Makhachev, and Kayla Harrison in 2025, Justin Gaethje might be MMA’s only representative on the upcoming ceremony.
Within the period the award covers, ‘The Highlight’ boasts two UFC title wins, having defeated Paddy Pimblett to grow to be interim lightweight champion before his unification fight against Topuria.
Those wins will should be enough to persuade voters that Gaethje deserves the ESPY award over three boxing stars. Joining Gaethje as nominees are Terence Crawford, Claressa Shields, and Gabriela Fundora.
‘Bud’ is retired but memorably defeated Canelo Alvarez in the course of the award period to grow to be the primary male boxer within the four-belt era to win the undisputed championship in three weight divisions.
Meanwhile, Shields recorded two decision wins to defend her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBF female heavyweight titles.
Fundora also retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO & The Ring flyweight titles twice, but each of her victories got here via knockout.
Judging by the comments on social media following the discharge of the nominees, it’s clear who the MMA community might be rooting for…
“Only Justin Gaethje is an actual fighter here.”
“Gaethje easy but they’ll give it to certainly one of the pillow decision fighters.”
“Only one fighter on this btw. Others are limited ‘fighters’.”
“Gaethje is the one fighter here, what is that this list?”
“Gaethje ALL THE WAY!”
“Give it to Justin now.”
“Get these randoms out of here, just one must be Gaethje.”
Fans may have the chance to assist select the winner by voting at ESPYS.com.
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