It’s the holiday season, and with the new year quickly approaching, Combat Press is taking a look back at the best of 2014. Throughout the week, Combat Press will announce its award winners in 16 different categories, covering everything from the action in the cage to the biggest stories surrounding the sport.

In mixed martial arts, there’s simply no such thing a “sure bet.” The very nature of the sport is to expect the unexpected.

And 2014 was no different. Titles changed hands across multiple promotions, with underdogs scoring thrilling and decisive finishes of the former champions. Bellator MMA middleweight Brandon Halsey needed just 35 seconds to demolish long-reigning title holder Alexander Shlemenko. Making her promotional debut, Brazilian atomweight Herica Tiburcio stunned one of the biggest stars in Invicta FC, Michelle Waterson, with a third-round guillotine choke. Yet, neither of those impressive wins earned the nod as the Combat Press Upset of the Year.

Why, you ask?

T.J. Dillashaw.

The Team Alpha Male bantamweight was largely viewed as cannon fodder for Brazilian wrecking machine Renan Barão leading into their UFC 173 title clash. Barão closed as a seven-to-one favorite at the sportsbook and with a significant experience advantage, everyone expected the Nova Uniao product to run through Dillashaw with relative ease.

But that’s the beauty of MMA. Dillashaw rocked the Brazilian early in the fight and set the tone for how the rest of the bout would go. Dillashaw’s striking and footwork showed marked improvement under the tutelage of Duane “Bang” Ludwig and he left the former champion perplexed throughout the fight. In the fifth and final round, Dillashaw went for the kill, stopping Barão with strikes and claiming the first UFC title for Team Alpha Male.

Other Finalists: Herica Tiburcio vs. Michelle Waterson (Invicta FC 10), Brandon Halsey vs. Alexander Shlemenko (Bellator 126)

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Make sure you check out the rest of the Combat Press 2014 MMA Award winners.