Over the course of its existence, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has held a number of noteworthy fights. These matches have varied from intense rivalries to epic fights, & many of them have had a significant impact on mixed martial arts as a sport. The five most important UFC fights in history are examined in this article.
Key Takeaways
- The top 5 UFC fights have left a lasting impact on the sport’s history
- Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz’s battle was a thrilling and unforgettable showdown
- Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson’s epic showdown is one for the history books
- Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald’s fight is etched in UFC history as an unforgettable battle
- The intense rivalry between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz is one of the most memorable in UFC history
- Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen’s historic matchup is still talked about in the UFC community
- These memorable UFC fights have had a lasting impact on the sport and will be remembered for years to come
Not only have these bouts captured the attention of viewers around the world, but they have also been crucial in establishing the UFC’s growth and the standing of the competing athletes. The chosen fights highlight significant turning points in the organization’s history and feature performances that have raised the bar for mixed martial arts competition by displaying cutting-edge technique and cunning strategy. An understanding of the development of the sport & the elements that contribute to a fight’s enduring significance in UFC history can be obtained by examining these historic fights. The Surprise Distress. Following the withdrawal of his initial opponent due to injury, McGregor, the featherweight champion in the bag at the time, was forced to fight Diaz in the welterweight class on short notice.
Between them, the fighters displayed their amazing skills inside the Octagon while exchanging heavy blows in a full-on war. Ultimately, Diaz gave McGregor his first UFC defeat when he submitted him in the second round, shocking the entire world. Rematch. That August 20, 2016, UFC 202 rematch between McGregor and Diaz was every bit as exciting.
After a fiercely contested, long-lasting fight, McGregor prevailed this time. An Eternal Competition. These bouts are etched in UFC history as some of the most memorable due to their back-and-forth style and the celebrity status of both competitors. This fight will live on in the memories of fans for years to come because of the intense rivalry between McGregor and Diaz, which exhibited the heart and willpower of both fighters.
The historic bout between Jon Jones & Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 on September 21, 2013, will also go down in history. Jones, the light heavyweight champion in the interim, challenged Gustafsson in a much awaited title defense. Over the course of five exhausting rounds, both fighters pushed each other to the limit in an absolute war. Jones, who was well-known for his dominant performances inside the Octagon, found Gustafsson’s boxing and footwork to be a challenge.
Fans were glued to their seats as the bout’s back-and-forth style allowed both fighters to display their amazing skills and heart. Ultimately, Jones prevailed by unanimous decision in what many believe to be one of the best UFC championship bouts ever. The bout was extremely close, and many observers & fans thought Gustafsson had done enough to unseat Jones. Jones’s legendary battle with Gustafsson enhanced the latter’s standing in the light heavyweight class & cemented Jones’s place in the annals of fighting history.
A true classic in UFC history, the fight will always be cherished for the extreme skill and heart exhibited by all competitors. One more bout that will go down in history as one of the greatest UFC fights ever took place took place on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189 between Robbie Lawler & Rory MacDonald. The bout, which was for the welterweight title, was excellent in every aspect. Fans were glued to their seats the entire time as Lawler & MacDonald displayed courage, talent, and tenacity.
In what can only be called a real war inside the Octagon, both fighters delivered powerful blows & tested each other’s limits during the back-and-forth style of fighting. Finally, Lawler prevailed by TKO in the fifth round, pulling off what is considered to be one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history. The fighters’ amazing skill sets and heart and determination were on full display during the fight. The picture of the two fighters, bloodied and bruised, standing shoulder to shoulder will live on in the memories of mixed martial arts enthusiasts everywhere. This fight will go down in UFC history as one of the best ever.
Lawler & MacDonald’s epic battle cemented their reputations as two of the hardest and most accomplished welterweight fighters. Another fight that will live on in UFC history as one of the most memorable is the fierce rivalry between Chuck Liddell & Tito Ortiz. During their heyday, Liddell and Ortiz were two of the biggest names in sports, and their rivalry enthralled spectators for many years. Liddell prevailed by second-round knockout in their first encounter, which took place at UFC 47 on April 2, 2004.
From then on, Liddell and Ortiz’s rivalry only grew more intense as they traded verbal blows & raised the stakes for a rematch. When the much awaited rematch finally happened on December 30, 2006, at UFC 66, it was a huge event that broke pay-per-view records. As one of the greatest light heavyweight champions in UFC history, Liddell prevailed once more, this time via third-round TKO.
Intense rivalry between Ortiz and Liddell enthralled spectators and made the sport more popular than ever. These fights cemented both fighters’ status as industry legends and will go down in UFC history as some of the most memorable. The Chief Performance of Chael Sonnen.
With his ground-and-pound and wrestling skills, Sonnen controlled Silva for almost five rounds, leaving many to believe he would eventually topple Silva. Sonnen appeared to be too strong for the champion to handle, applying constant pressure & using his grappling abilities. The Surprising Turn of Events.
But in an unexpected turn of events, Silva maintained his title late in the fifth round with a triangle armbar submission. The bout between Silva and Sonnen cemented Silva’s place in UFC history as one of the greatest champions ever, showcasing the heart and will of both competitors. An Eternal Rivalry.
Silva and Sonnen’s rivalry drew in large crowds & enhanced the careers of both competitors, making this fight one of the most memorable in UFC history. Sonnen’s outstanding performance against one of the greatest fighters of all time will be remembered, as will the thrilling finish to the historic fight. At the end of the day, these five greatest UFC bouts will live on in history as some of the most unforgettable confrontations in the promotion’s history and have a profound effect on mixed martial arts. These fights, which have featured fierce rivalries and epic showdowns, have captured the attention of viewers worldwide and cemented the fighters’ legends.
While the epic fight between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson improved both fighters’ standing in their respective divisions, the exciting bout between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz demonstrated heart and resolve. While the fierce rivalry between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz helped push the sport to new heights, the fight between Robbie Lawler & Rory MacDonald was an unforgettable display of skill and heart from both fighters. Last but not least, the historic fight between Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva featured memorable moments that will live on in MMA history.
Along with providing entertainment for fans, these bouts have also contributed to the development of the UFC and cemented the reputations of some of the best fighters to have ever entered the Octagon.
If you’re a fan of the UFC, you’ll love our article on mastering a new skill in just 7 days. Just like the fighters in the top 5 UFC fights that will go down in history, you can learn how to play piano or whip up a delicious recipe for chicken salad in just a week. Check it out here!
