15 Best Fights In UFC History Ranked

The Featherweight clash between Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi at UFC 206 on December 10, 2016, has earned its place among the greatest fights in MMA history. 

Swanson, a seasoned veteran known for his technical striking and resilience, met his match in the explosive South Korean newcomer, Choi.

From the opening bell, both fighters threw caution to the wind, engaging in a thrilling stand-up battle that showcased their speed, power, and technical prowess.

Round one was a whirlwind of punches and kicks, with both fighters landing significant blows. Swanson utilized his jab and leg kicks effectively, while Choi countered with devastating combinations and spinning attacks.

Swanson landed a clean right hook that wobbled Choi in this second round, but the Korean Superboy displayed incredible heart and resilience, firing back with a flurry of punches that sent Swanson reeling.

The fight was an epic display of heart and determination. Both fighters gave it everything they had but in the end, it was Swanson who emerged victorious by unanimous decision. 

The featherweight championship rematch between José Aldo and Chad Mendes at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014, is etched in MMA history as a thrilling display of resilience and determination. Aldo defeated Mendes via a Unanimous decision.

Aldo, the reigning champion known for his devastating leg kicks and lightning-fast striking, faced a familiar foe in Mendes, his former teammate and a fellow Brazilian powerhouse.

Mendes, driven by a hunger for the title and fuelled by the first fight's close decision, sought to dethrone the seemingly invincible champion. The first round began with Aldo, utilizing his footwork and jabs, keeping Mendes at bay. 

Drawing on his experience and the champion's composure, Aldo controlled the fight with precise strikes and strategic takedowns in the third round. Mendes, despite the exhaustion and the fight's momentum shifting, showcased his relentless pressure and fought back with everything he had left.

In the end, it was Aldo who emerged victorious by unanimous decision. Aldo, despite enduring a significant challenge, proved his mettle as a champion and solidified his reign as the featherweight king.

The light heavyweight championship clash between Glover Teixeira and Jiří Procházka at UFC 275 on June 12, 2022, ended with Teixeira's defeat in Round 5 via Submission.

Teixeira, the veteran champion known for his submission skills and granite chin, faced a formidable challenge in Procházka, a rising star with explosive striking and a fearless fighting style. 

Procházka, the more unorthodox striker, used his spinning attacks and flying knees to keep Teixeira at bay. Teixeira, the seasoned veteran, relied on his jab and leg kicks to control the distance and set up his takedowns.

Teixeira used his wrestling to take Procházka down and threatened with submissions, but the Czech Republic fighter always seemed to find a way to escape.

In the end, Procházka emerged victorious with a rear Naked Choke in Round 5 with the Brazilian fighter's submission. Procházka was crowned the new light heavyweight champion.

The first encounter between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016, marked a turning point in both fighters' careers and became one of the most iconic fights in UFC history. 

McGregor, the reigning featherweight champion and superstar, was stepping up a weight class to face the durable and experienced Diaz on short notice.

Diaz, known for his boxing prowess and jiu-jitsu skills, accepted the challenge with a casual shrug, instantly setting the stage for a clash of personalities and fighting styles.

This fight was the biggest upset in UFC history. Diaz, who was a late replacement for Rafael dos Anjos, submitted McGregor in the second round.

The upset victory catapulted Diaz into stardom and cemented his legacy as one of the toughest fighters in the UFC. Their second matchup on August 20, 2016, ended with McGregor emerging victorious via a majority decision.

Both fighters are currently 1-1 and fans would love to see a trilogy fight, but there have been no confirmations from official sources so far. Mcgregor had mentioned he would be willing to go third one against Diaz. 

Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Johnson fight in 2017  was an absolute war. Both fighters landed huge shots, and it was a back-and-forth battle until Gaethje knocked out Johnson in the second round.

Gaethje, a former World Series of Fighting champion known for his aggressive style and devastating leg kicks, faced a formidable opponent in the seasoned veteran Johnson.

Johnson, known for his technical boxing and knockout power, was looking to solidify his position in the division's top 10. Gaethje, true to form, pressed forward with relentless leg kicks, while Johnson countered with sharp jabs and counterpunches in the first round.

The fight exploded into a full-fledged war in the second round, which ended with Gaethje sending Johnson crashing to the canvas. The referee quickly intervened, awarding Gaethje a well-earned victory by knockout.

In the welterweight championship clash between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit at UFC 195 on January 2, 2016, Lawler won by TKO in the fifth round.

Lawler, the reigning champion known for his relentless pressure and iron jaw, faced a formidable challenge in Condit, a former interim champion with exceptional striking skills and a dangerous ground game. 

The fight began with a furious exchange of punches and kicks, as both fighters looked to establish their dominance early. The second round saw the fight intensify as both fighters sustained significant damage.

In the 4th and 5th rounds, Lawler continued to press forward, landing heavy punches and knees in the clinch. Condit, despite being visibly exhausted, used his technical skill to land some of his most damaging strikes of the fight but in the end, it was Lawler who emerged victorious by split decision.

The heavyweight clash between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry at UFC 135 on September 24, 2011, is remembered as one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history. 

Kongo, a veteran striker known for his powerful kicks and takedown defence, faced a tough opponent in Barry, a rising star known for his knockout power and unorthodox striking.

The fight was wrapped up in Round One, In the early minutes of the fight, Barry knocked Kongo down with a strong right hand. He then followed up with a flurry of punches, leaving Kongo barely conscious and the fight seemed like it was over.

But Kongo wasn't done yet, he managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. In a shocking turn of events, the Frenchman came back with a punch that managed to knock Barry out at 2:39 of Round 1.  

The UFC 213 middleweight championship fight between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero on July 8, 2017, was a brutal yet compelling clash that cemented Whittaker's position as one of the best fighters in the world. 

Whittaker, the interim champion known for his athleticism and diverse striking, was 19-4-0 when he entered the fight against Romero who had a record of 13-2-0. The tension was palpable inside the T-Mobile Arena, as fans eagerly awaited this highly anticipated showdown.

In the First round Romero, true to form, utilized explosive takedown attempts and powerful punches, while Whittaker countered with his sharp footwork and precise striking.

The fight truly ignited in the second round. Romero landed a devastating left hook that sent Whittaker stumbling backward. Sensing his opponent's vulnerability, Romero unleashed a barrage of punches, forcing Whittaker to retreat against the cage.

However, Whittaker, displaying incredible resilience, weathered the storm and began to find his rhythm. In the end, Whittaker emerged victorious via a 5-round split decision. 

The middleweight clash between Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019, will forever be remembered as a war for the ages. Adesanya emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

Gastelum, known for his relentless pressure and powerful wrestling, faced a formidable opponent in Adesanya, a rising star known for his dazzling footwork and technical striking.

The fight held immense significance for both fighters, with Gastelum seeking to solidify his claim as a top contender and Adesanya aiming to secure the UFC middleweight championship.

The fight began with Gastelum, utilizing his pressure and leg kicks, trying to corner Adesanya, while the champion countered with precise jabs and sharp counterpunches. After 5 rounds of both fighters unleashing everything they had, the fight ended with Adesanya as the victor. 

Despite the loss, Gastelum proved his mettle as a top contender, demonstrating his resilience and fighting spirit. Adesanya, on the other hand, solidified his reign as champion, showcasing his technical brilliance and ability to adapt under pressure.

The featherweight clash between Dustin Poirier and Chan Sung Jung "The Korean Zombie" at UFC 194 on on May 15, 2012, is etched in MMA history as a showcase of exceptional skill and a devastating submission finish. 

Poirier, the rising star known for his sharp boxing and versatile kickboxing, faced a formidable opponent in Jung, a seasoned veteran known for his diverse striking and submission prowess.

Both fighters had a similar record entering the fight, Sung Jung was 12-3-0 while Poirer was 12-1-0.  The first round began with both fighters testing their range and timing. 

In the second round, Jung took advantage of Poirier's frustration and landed a takedown, but Poirier threatened with a guillotine choke attempt. The third round was a thrilling back-and-forth battle. 

The turning point came in the fourth round. Jung, recognizing an opening, executed a perfectly timed takedown and transitioned into a D'Arce choke. Poirier, despite his best efforts, was unable to escape the hold, and the referee intervened, declaring Jung the winner via submission.

The strawweight championship clash between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020, was a brutal and technical masterpiece that earned its place as one of the greatest fights in UFC history.

China's Zhang, the reigning champion known for her explosive striking and relentless pressure, faced a formidable opponent in Jędrzejczyk, a former strawweight champion known for her technical brilliance and fight IQ. 

The fight began with ędrzejczyk, utilizing her footwork and feints, keeping Zhang at bay with crisp jabs and leg kicks. Zhang, however, remained patient, waiting for her opportunity to land her heavy punches. 

After a 5 round display of grit and determination by both fighters the fight ended with Zhang emerging victorious by split decision. This epic encounter will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come as a testament to the skill, heart, and determination required to succeed in the octagon.

The light heavyweight clash between Maurício Rua (Shogun) and Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on November 19, 2011, is etched in UFC history as a stunning upset and a definitive chapter in the careers of both fighters. 

Rua, the reigning champion and former PRIDE champion known for his devastating Muay Thai and resilience, faced a formidable challenge in Henderson, a former Olympic wrestler and seasoned veteran known for his powerful right hand and knockout power.

Rua vs. Henderson is considered one of the greatest fights in UFC history. It was a brutal back-and-forth battle that saw both fighters land significant blows.

Henderson won the fight by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 48-47 for Henderson but many believe it should have been a draw, which led to their rematch in 2014. 

Despite the controversy, the battle is widely considered one of the greatest fights in MMA history, a testament to the skill, heart, and unwavering determination of both warriors.

The light heavyweight clash between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale on April 9, 2005, is widely credited with saving the UFC from financial ruin. 

The UFC, struggling to gain mainstream attention and facing potential bankruptcy, had made a gamble by airing its first reality TV show, The Ultimate Fighter. The show's finale was a live fight between Griffin and Bonnar, two unknown prospects competing for a UFC contract.

The fight that followed was one fueled by a combination of personal ambition and the weight of the UFC's future on their shoulders, engaged in a brutal and thrilling three-round battle. 

The fight went back and forth, with both fighters experiencing moments of dominance and vulnerability. The fight ended in a majority decision with Griffin emerging as the victor but By the end of the fight, the crowd were on their feet, roaring with appreciation for the two warriors who had given everything they had.

In the light heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 on September 21, 2013, Jones won by unanimous decision, but Gustafsson gave him all he could handle.

Jones, the dominant and undefeated champion known for his unorthodox striking and wrestling prowess, faced his toughest test in the surging Gustafsson, a Swedish challenger known for his versatile kickboxing and devastating punching power.

The fight held immense significance, with Jones seeking to solidify his reign as the pound-for-pound king and Gustafsson aiming to dethrone the champion.

The first round began with Jones, utilizing his long reach and unorthodox kicks, keeping Gustafsson at bay. Gustafsson landed a clean right hook that sent Jones reeling backward, visibly stunning the champion in the second round.

Both fighters, battered and bruised but unbowed, continued to trade heavy blows for the remainder of the fight. In the end, it was Jones who emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

Despite the close nature of the fight, the champion showcased his ability to adapt and overcome adversity, proving why he was considered the best in the world. 

The welterweight rematch between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 on July 11, 2015, this was their second bout. Their first one in 2013 ended with a split decision victory for Lawler.

Lawler, the reigning champion known for his devastating striking and relentless pressure, faced a formidable opponent in MacDonald, his former teammate and training partner.

MacDonald, driven by ambition and fueled by the loss in their first encounter, sought to dethrone the champion and reclaim his honour.

After a gruelling 5 rounds in which both fighters, battered and bloodied but unbowed, continued to trade heavy blows. It was Lawler who emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

The fight was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing in 2023. This was also 2015's fight of the year by Sherdog and MMA Fighting.

This unforgettable encounter will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come as a defining moment in UFC history and a true masterpiece of combat sports.