The year ends, and what did you do? Poatan, McGregor, Popó, Tyson… remember the highlights of 2024

Tyson, Jon Jones, Poatan, McGregor and Jake Paul starred in remarkable moments. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

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The year ends… and what have you done?

Paraphrasing John Lennon's song performed in Portuguese by singer Simone, there is nothing more noble than the analysis of the year that passed on December 31st. And MMA and boxing personalities starred in emblematic moments in 2024. Talking so much about nobility, it is worth mentioning that some of these facts are not the most praiseworthy.

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The team at SUPER FIGHTS listed several of the most memorable episodes of the year that ends today for you to remember. Check it out:

Poatan saves the company and wins three events

Alex Poatán It's not for nothing that he's one of the most important names of 2024. Collecting recognition around the world throughout the year, the São Paulo native ends a season in which he simply saved three UFC events and won them all by knockout.

No UFC 300, the organization suffered from pressure from big names to star in the centennial edition without having Conor McGregor, Jon Jones e Israel adesanya at your disposal. Poatan took the blame and knocked out Jamahal hill entitled to celebration historical.

Alex Poatán causes Jamahal hill after victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

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Then, during International Fight Week, the company didn't have McGregor. The Irishman had been injured shortly before. The light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg) stepped into the octagon again just two months after his last fight. Knocked out Jiri Prochazka for the second time and kept the belt.

The year was already good. But it could have been better. With a difficult camping trip, run over by old injuries, fevers and even sore throats, Alex Poatán prepared himself as much as possible to perform again after four months. Simply ran over Khalil rountree, to the point of leaving him disfigured and 'ruining' his nose. Three shows in six months.

Ah! Elected 'Fighter of the Year' at the MMA Oscars. Call me!

Popo knocks out Bambam in 36 seconds

Kleber Bambam stretched out on the ropes after Popó's punishment. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

The year of struggles began with, among other events, the holding of yet another Fight Music Show. The promotion with a diversity of names becomes more popular with each exhibition. In the fourth edition, four-time world champion Acelino 'Popó' Freitas performed for a very short time. After former BBB Kleber Bambam confirmed his talkative style and promised too much before the fight, Popó knocked out in just 36 seconds. The boxer scored two knockdowns and the referee ended the fight.

Popô's knockout of Bambam was only faster than McGregor's José Aldo

pic.twitter.com/sM6KAGG65K

— Genius Neymar Jr.³ (@genioneymarjr1) February 25, 2024

The boxer would still return to the ring in 2024. And in the very next edition of FMS to put an end to questions about clashes against influencers by beating the famous 'El Chino' Miranda in a five-round fight by decision. After the victory, Popó still fueled the choice of his next victim in the FMS: the businessman and former candidate for Mayor of São Paulo, Pablo Marçal.

Return and overcoming of Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou with his new championship belt. Photo: PFL Reproduction

After almost three years out of action, one of the greatest MMA fighters returned in 2024, and in style! Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) debuted in his new league, the PFL. He immediately took the belt fight that was under the control of the Brazilian giant Renan Problem. The Franco-Cameroonian took no notice of his opponent and won by knockout in the first round at an event held in Saudi Arabia.

However, Ngannou's return to the octagon was marked by deep pain. In April of this year, the fighter lost his son Kobe, who was just one and a half years old. In an interview, the fighter revealed that the loss made him consider retiring, but the decision to continue fighting came as a way of honor the memory of the child and find purpose in the midst of pain.

Conor McGregor's conviction

Conor McGregor on the way to the High Court in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Reuters

A year of upheavals in the life of 'The Notorious'. Out of the octagon for more than three years, Conor McGregor was convicted in the civil sphere in November for sexual assault by the Irish courts. The case occurred against a woman in December 2018. According to Nikita Hand, the fighter raped her in a hotel in the city of Dublin. The compensation to be paid to Hand reached €248,603.60 (more than R$1,5 million). McGregor said he intends appeal the decision.

Following his conviction, the empire that The Notorious had built outside the Octagon began to crumble. He lost his stake in a computer game, as well as his social media following. Irish retailers have also boycotted the sale of alcoholic beverages bearing the fighter's brand. In fact, Proximo Spirits, the company that bought McGregor's whiskey brand in 2021, announced that will not use anymore the name or image of the Irishman on the drink. A hard blow suffered by the most media-savvy MMA fighter in the world.

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

Jake Paul try to hit Mike Tyson. Photo: Reproduction Netflix

Was it profitable? Yes! Was it what everyone expected? No!

On the 15th of November, Jake Paul e Mike Tyson starred in one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The duo managed to attract more than 108 million viewers who tuned in to the Netflix to follow the most-watched sporting event in the history of the streaming giant. On one side, an influencer and actor who discovered himself as a boxer. On the other, a living legend of the sport with a career full of ups and downs. Separated by 30 years of age, the 'Problem Boy' defeated one of the most feared men on the planet after eight rounds by unanimous decision of the judges.

However, there were many questions about a possible staged fight. Professionals of the noble art and fans were disappointed with Tyson's performance, who appeared like a lion in training, but was a kitten against Paul. The YouTuber's company, which promoted the event, went public to deny that the fight followed a script. Days later, Mike Tyson appeared saying that I didn't remember of the confrontation that day.

Jon Jones returns, wins and doesn't retire

Knockout of Jon Jones about Stipe Miocic (Photo: Instagram/UFC Espanol)

O UFC 309 has become one of the most anticipated of the year since the name of Jon Jones was announced. The organization's star would return to the scene a year and eight months later to face the Croatian-American Stipe Miocic in defense of the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2 kg).

The air of history being written became even denser with speeches from 'Bones' who flirted with retirement. It could be the last fight of one of the greatest to ever grace that octagon.

End of plot: Jon Jones knocked out Stipe Miocic in the third round with a succession punches after a spinning kick and announced while still in the cage: he's still in the game. Who will be next?