Best UFC fights of all time

Some of the best UFC fights of all time are those that have had equally shocking and inspiring moments. These encounters have etched themselves into the memories of fans worldwide. It is legendary UFC fights such as these that have led MMA to be one of the most exciting sports.

Champions such as Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo came to the limelight due to what were some of the best UFC fights of all time. Since its start in 1993, many iconic athletes have proven themselves in the battle ring so as to claim the title of Ultimate Fighting Champion. These fights have often kept fans glued to their seats,p wishing it would never end. Delve into this article as we revisit some of the most famous UFC fights in the history of MMA.

Best UFC fights of all time

Gastelum vs Adesanya match

Prior to, Adesanya had announced that he was prepared to die during the UFC 236 event in 2019. The match is widely considered one of the best UFC fights of 2019 and even won best MMA fight of the year. For most of the rounds, both players had seemed intent on winning and remained on their feet. However, Adesanya gained advantage over Gatselum who was growing tired and ended up winning the epic fight which fans absolutely loved.

Jones vs Gustafsson

During the UFC 165 event, Jones and Gustafsson participated in one of UFC top ten fights of all time. It took place in Ontario, Canada and was rated the second greatest heavyweight MMA fight to occur. Although Gustafsson kept Jones on his toes for the first three rounds, he failed to land a damaging punch. During the fourth round however, Jones hit his opponent with a spinning elbow-strike that concluded him as the winner of the match.

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Whittaker vs Bonnar

Moreno The Assassin Baby vs Deiveson ‘Deus da Guerra’

The pair are the only known fighters to have faced each other a record of four times. They first had an encounter at UFC 256 and their fight was ruled a draw. The second one was at UFC 263 where Moreno choked out Deiveson in the third round and emerged the winner. At UFC 270, Deiveson claimed back victory although he was termed defensively irresponsible. Ultimately, Moreno won in their final fight at UFC 283, putting their rivalry to a long-awaited end.

The Dominator vs The California Kid [ Dominick vs Urijah] flyweight category

Ever since Urijah choked Dominick in World Extreme Cagefighting, the pair has always been provoking each other. Consequently, their already existing beef made this fight one of the best UFC fights of all time and most anticipated ones. This was the pair’s second UFC fight where Cruz who had improved from their last fight, won against Urijah Faber. The third and final contest showed why the respectable Cruz was the superior fighter with better footwork, head movement and selection of strikes.

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Max Holloway vs Jose Aldo- featherweight category

Max Holloway is an estimable figure in the world of UFC championships. He has fought Conor ‘The Notorious’ McGregor among other renowned UFC champions. However, what made his fight with Jose Aldo one of the best MMA fights of all time is Holloway fans’ anticipation against the notable fighter. They first faced each other off in Rio de Janeiro where Max crushed Aldo with numerous punches, a move which led to his victory in their final deciding rematch.

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen

The match between Silva and Sonnen is one of UFC top ten fights of all time, not only because of the pre-fight chaos but also because Sonnen almost became the only fighter to defeat Silva in a UFC match. The incredible Chael left fans stunned when he powered through Anderson for four full rounds. Nonetheless, during the final seconds of theer fight, the admirable Silva pulled off a spectacular triangle-arm bar to retain his title. It was one of the most celebrated comebacks in UFC history.

Khabib vs Conor McGregor- Lightweight category

The build-up to the Khabib vs McGregor match categorized it as one of the greatest UFC fights of all time. Conor came in insulting Khabib and all facets of his life including his religion, his wife and father. However, the accomplished fighter maintained his composure even as his opponent insulted his manager. As soon as they got in the ring, Khabib took control by put Conor on the ground, knocked him down in the second round and took him down in the fourth round.

Best UFC fights of all time
Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Gilbert Burns vs Khamzat- Welterweight category

For his first four UFC fights, Khamzat Chimaev had taken only one punch each. Thanks to his relentless striking, he had built a reputation for winning and it was why his match against the famous Burns was one of the best fights of UFC. The two met at UFC 273 and went blow to blow with Burns winning against Khamzat in the second round. In their final round however, they landed back-and-forth blows until the judges ruled in Khamzat’s favor.

Steffan Bonnar vs Forrest Griffin

This fight was not only historic, but changed how the world viewed MMA and UFC as a whole. In Las Vegas in 2005, Bonnar and Griffin went through three rounds of 5-minute punches and kicks. There was a guaranteed six-figure contract for whoever would emerge the winner of the competition. Forest Griffin ended up winning the match and thanks to his incredible skills, Bonnar also received a six-figure contract from UFC.

Robbie Lawler vs Rory Macdonald match- welterweight category

During the entirety of his career, it was the first time that Lawler had to defend his welterweight belt. Without much talk, the pair went into the ring with the beloved Macdonald landing severe blows on Robbie who refused to go down. During the fourth round, Rory landed a ferocious hit on the established Lawler which resulted in a busted lip and a Joker-like smile from the Welterweight champion. It was in the fifth and final round that Robbie made a quick comeback, taking advantage of Rory who was wearing down and maintaining his title as welterweight champion.

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Quick facts about best ufc fights of all time

What is the biggest fight in UFC history?

The Khabib vs McGregor fight for Lightweight UFC championship. It was a massive event that ended with Khabib maintaining his title as Lightweight champion.

Has Khabib ever lost a fight?

Khabib Nurmagomedov was the longest-reigning UFC lightweight champion. He held the title undefeated from April 2018 to March 2021.

Best UFC fights of all time
Khabib Nurmagomedov poses for a photo on the scale. (Photo by STRINGER / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu via AFP)

Who is the undefeated fighter in UFC history?

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a former MMA fighter who has remained undefeated up to date. He holds the best record of 29-0-0.

Conclusion

Throughout its entirety, some of the best UFC fights of all time have been the most extraordinary ones. The battles between Silva and Griffin, Khabib and McGregor and Lawler and MacDonald are some of the matches that have showcased unmatched skill and determination. As the sport continues to evolve, fans eagerly anticipate future battles that will captivate their imagination and add to the amazing history of UFC greatness.

By Stephen Ochieng

Stephen Ochieng is Kenya's 3-time Sports Journalist of The Year (2022, 2023, 2024). He also finished as the 4th Best Young Reporter in Africa 2024 in the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Awards. Ochieng majors in football, rugby, athletics and tennis coverage with a a passion for feature stories.

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