Established in November 1993, the UFC has become the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world. This weekend, it will hold its 300th pay-per-view event, marking a spot in the record books.
Leaving their blood, sweat and tears in the Octagon, the UFC has held some of the greatest MMA matches and showcased some of the best talents who have become household names across the globe.
Beginning with fighters such as Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, and Dan Severn, the UFC was then based around Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva before the likes of Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, and Connor McGregor created worldwide headlines.
Here are the top five greatest fights in the history of the UFC.
5. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Zhang Weili at UFC 248
Kicking off the list is the greatest women’s fight in the history of the UFC. While Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko I and Meisha Tata vs Ronda Rousey I were also in content, the best bout comes from UFC 248, where Zhang Weili defended her Women’s Strawweight Championship against Polish superstar Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Lasting the entire five rounds, the two fighters went at each other from the get-go with their striking game – a facet in which they were recognised as the best in their division. Going kick for kick, elbow to elbow and punch for punch, it was an all-out war in the Octagon, with both fighters landing a combined 351 strikes in only five minutes.
Considered a one-of-a-kind type of match, it ended with Zhang Weili retaining her title via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) before both fighters were rushed to hospital and Jedrzejczyk went viral on social media in the aftermath of the match.
4. Nate Diaz vs Connor McGregor II at UFC 202
Previously meeting earlier in the year at UFC 196 with Diaz emerging victorious via second-round submission, the rematch between Nate Diaz and Connor McGregor was only announced 11 days before the event took place due to an injury to Rafael dos Anjos. On everyone’s list of greatest fights, the bout was not just amazing in the Octagon but had an incredible back story to go with it.
In the third biggest buy-rate pay-per-view in UFC history, the much-anticipated rematch would see McGregor avenge his loss against Diaz. With the fight going the distance and the entire five rounds, the two went at each other from the opening bell in a nail-biter of a fight.
Trading blows with one another, Diaz attempted 166 blows compared to McGregor’s 164, and the two fighters connected on the majority of their striking attempts. The win from McGregor would also have a lasting affect on his career legacy as he would late become a double champion and face Floyd Mayweather not too long afterwards.
3. Robert Whittaker vs Yoel Romero II at UFC 225
It’s hard to decipher the ‘Top Five Greatest UFC Fights of All Time’ without including a fight from an Australian UFC fighter. Australia has produced some brilliant UFC fighters over the years, including Alexander Volkanovski, Tai Tuivasa, Tyson Pedro and Jack Della Maddalena; however, out of all the Australian fighters, Robert Whittaker was involved in one of the greatest fights of the promotion’s history.
After claiming his first title – UFC Middleweight Championship – at UFC 213, defeating Yoel Romero, the rematch between the two fighters produced an all-time classic MMA match. Although Whittaker dominated the fight with his strikes (punches and kicks), the Cuban Yoel Romero couldn’t be stopped and just kept fighting.
Whittaker landed 79 per cent of his strikes compared to Romero’s 21 per cent but failed to find the knockout blow against his opponent. The New Zealand-Australian would go on to win the match via decision, defend the title and go to face fighters such as Israel Adesanya (twice), Dricus du Plessis, and most recently defeated Paulo Costa by decision at UFC 298.
2. Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson I at UFC 232
Not many fighters can compete with Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. Throughout his 29 career fights, Jones has never lost by KO/TKO, submission, or decision, with his only loss coming after a disqualification. With victories against UFC stars such as Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Thiago Santos and Daniel ‘DC’ Cormier, only one fighter has pushed Jones to his limit.
This man was Alexander Gustafsson. In their first match against each other at UFC 232, Gustafsson produced the best performance of his entire career, pushing Jones to his limits, and it even looked like he was set to produce a historic victory.
Gustafsson took down Jones not once but twice and would also open a cut near Jones’ eye. However, as Gustafsson looked like he was inches away from emerging victorious, Jones dug deep, showing his skill, elegance and power with his strike and wrestling game. This would see him defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Title, breaking the record for most consecutive UFC Light Heavyweight title defences in the process. The fight would also earn the honours of being named the 2013 Fight of the Year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en4hR34Bl8w
1. Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald II at UFC 189
Regarded as the greatest fight in the UFC Octagon, the second match between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald was not only named the 2015 Fight of the Year but has also been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The brutal bout between the two fighters was not only a mesmerizing battle but also shaped Lawler’s career as one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the UFC.
As soon as the opening bell rang, the two fighters used everything in their arsenal against one another, including strikes via punches, kicks, and elbows, along with several unique combinations. The fight was taken up a notch in the third round as it slowly turned into a bloodbath – primarily, Lawler broke his opponent’s nose. With neither fighting going down, fatigue kicking in, and blood pouring down their faces, the finish to the match was just as ferocious as the opening round.
Having retained the title, Lawler would earn victories over Carlos Condit, Donald Cerrone, and Nick Diaz before hanging up the gloves at UFC 290. The match solidified his career as a fan favourite and reputation as someone who never gives up, has incredible resilience, and has the skill to take down any fighter he comes up against.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRSavbVM_s4