Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and Chris Weidman are the best in their respective weight classes and have a track record for breaking ground in the UFC.
Rousey was the first ever women's champion in the UFC, Weidman was the first man to beat legend Anderson Silva in the Octagon and Jon Jones was the youngest champion in company history to become champion when he won the UFC Light Heavyweight title against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128.
Well one of these three superstars has a chance to be first once again, this time on a much bigger stage. On Tuesday it was announced that Rousey, Jones and Weidman are all finalists for an ESPY award, given by ESPN on July 16 at the annual awards show. No mixed martial artist has ever won an ESPY, dating back to the award show's inception in 1993.
Jones and Rousey are finalists for Best Fighter, an award that has been given out since 2007, each year going to a boxer. Rousey is also up for Best Female Athlete, while Weidman is up for Best Upset for his victory over Silva at UFC 162.
Weidman and Rousey are both headlining UFC 175 at Mandalay Bay on July 5, a pay per view event that is one of the biggest of the year and will highlight 2014's International Fight Week. Weidman and Rousey are a combined 20-0 in their mixed martial arts careers, and will look to continue their unbeaten streak against Lyoto Machida and Alexis Davis, respectively, in Las Vegas.
Jones is set to defend his UFC Light Heavyweight championship in arguably the most anticipated match of the year, when he takes on Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 178 in September in a rematch of the 2013 Fight of the Year.
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