It’s that time of the year where we all take stock and give thanks for what we’re grateful for in our lives, and here at MMA Junkie, that’s no different.

So, on this bonus edition of Triple Take, we’ve asked Simon Head, Mike Bohn and Dave Doyle to share their personal takes on why they’re grateful on Thanksgiving Day 2020.

Simon Head: The fighters

January 18, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor reacts during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot to be grateful for, especially for someone working this job, covering this sport, during this period in our history. But I just want to say a huge thank you to the fighters.

We’ve seen some incredible displays over the last year, both before and during the pandemic, but the fighters themselves have been nothing short of phenomenal during the pandemic. They’ve stepped up, shown up and shown out with some memorable performances as they’ve kept the fans entertained. It’s a pleasure to tell their stories and report their successes.

Remarkably, despite all of the additional stress and increased demands on their time during this pandemic, they’ve still found the time to speak to us, the media, and I think I speak for everyone on the team when I say thank you for taking the time, sharing your experiences, and being so open with us as we’ve endeavored to cover the sport through these tricky times.

The people putting on events deserve immense praise, of course. But, without the fighters, those efforts would be for nought. So respect, and thanks, to the fighters.

Mike Bohn: The readers and viewers

Definitely have to echo what Simon said above in being thankful for the fighters, especially this year amid the pandemic. The current landscape of the world has forced us here at MMA Junkie to make significant adjustments to the way in which we gather content, and a lot of that means virtual interviews.

There’s nothing like getting an in-person, face-to-face interview with a fighter, because that usually offers the best quality. Those opportunities are significantly limited during these times, though, and although it’s been an adjustment for us, it’s surely been an adjustment for you, too.

We are grateful for the loyalty of those who have continued to frequent MMA Junkie through a challenging 2020. From the stretch in March and April where there were zero MMA events happening and we had to get creative with our content, to the current stretch of 25 consecutive weeks of UFC events (we’re in week 21), it’s been quite a unique year.

Despite all that, MMA Junkie has maintained its standard for coverage. We’ve had an on-site presence at every UFC show this year, and same for Bellator, with the exception of its brief international stretch. That type of effort wouldn’t be worth pushing out into a void, though, so we have to be thankful for those who read our stories, watch our videos and more to make these efforts worthwhile.

Dave Doyle: Bellator's featherweight grand prix

Sometimes mixed martial arts tournaments can go spectacularly awry. Longtime fans will recall how B.J. Penn and Caol Uno went to a draw at UFC 41 in the finals of a four-man mini tourney to crown a lightweight champion, then the company went another three years before bothering to fill the title.

Then there are the times tourneys do exactly what they’re supposed to do. And it feels like we’re well on our way there with the Bellator featherweight grand prix.

The GP started all the way back in the Before Times in Sept. 2019. It didn’t take too long for two themes to emerge: One, that this was going to be a chance for rising star A.J. McKee to prove his mettle. He did that from the outset with a sensational eight-second knockout against Georgi Karakhanyan in the opening round, and he’s continued from there.

And two, this was a showcase that would help people finally understand that featherweight and lightweight champ Patricio Freire is truly among the sport’s greats. He, too, has delivered, with a five-round thrashing of now-bantamweight champ Juan Archuleta, and a devastating knockout of Pedro Carvalho.

This seems to be building to what on paper could be one of the most anticipated bouts in Bellator history in “Pitbull” vs. McKee. McKee is already in the finals after a superb submission of Darrion Caldwell in the finals. Freire has one step left in a semi vs. Emmanuel Sanchez. Sanchez is a live underdog though, one who already went the distance with Freire and has only improved since, so there’s a real element of suspense here.

The tournament started before the pandemic. It resumed during MMA’s mad scramble to make up for lost time and has managed to stand out during a glut. With any luck, by the time the finals happen, the vaccine will be rolled out and we’ll be heading toward the other side of this. In its own way, this tournament is a reminder of how things were and how they’ll be once again, and for that, I’m grateful.