2026 ESPY Winners: Terence Crawford Lands Mind-Blowing Win, Defeats UFC's Justin Gaethje for 'Best Fighter'

Jiu-Jitsu Federation:

ESPN used to have separate fighting categories for the ESPY awards.

When Terence Crawford won his second of three ESPYS at the 2024 ceremony, Sean O'Malley topped Alex Pereira for "Best UFC Fighter." These days, all combat sports athletes are lumped into one category, pitting Crawford against fellow pugilists Claressa Shields and Gabriela Fundora, as well as UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje for 2026.

Gaethje was a -600 betting favorite against +250 for Crawford following "The Highlight's" consecutive wins over Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria.

"Retired but still in my winning season," Crawford said. "Three-time undisputed and three-time ESPY Award winner. Blessing on blessings."

Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) moved up in weight to defeat Canelo Alvarez last fall before retiring undefeated.

"It's crazy how Crawford wins ESPY's over Justin Gaethje is mind blowing," Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, wrote on social media. "Justin won two fights in six months where in both fights he was an underdog and the last fight he was a 7-to-1 underdog."

Maybe this was ESPN's way of getting back at UFC for this.

Source: MMA Mania — read the original