What Makes a UFC Fight Truly Great?
When deciding which UFC fights are the greatest of all time, there are a few key things to think about. The fighters’ skill and athletic ability, the intensity of the rivalry, how important the fight is, and how it makes the fans feel all help make a fight legendary. From hard-hitting knockouts to unbelievable comebacks, these moments become a part of UFC history and are remembered for years. But most of all, the best UFC fights tell a story—a story of not giving up, of bravery, and sometimes, of a shocking twist that no one saw coming.
The Most Iconic UFC Fights in History
Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar – UFC 1 (2005)
This fight is often called the fight that saved the UFC. In 2005, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar faced off in what became one of the most important moments in UFC history. It was the final fight of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, and both fighters showed incredible toughness, endurance, and determination.
For three rounds, they went at each other non-stop. Both took a lot of damage but never gave up, keeping fans excited and glued to their screens.
How this fight shaped the UFC
Griffin vs. Bonnar helped make the UFC popular and brought in a lot of new fans. It happened at a time when the UFC needed to prove itself, and this fight did exactly that. The intensity and excitement of the fight showed people how thrilling MMA could be, helping the UFC grow into the huge sport it is today.
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz – UFC 196 (2016)
The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz is one of the biggest in UFC history. In 2016, McGregor was supposed to fight someone else, but his opponent got injured. Diaz stepped in at the last minute, and their fight at UFC 196 became one of the greatest of all time.
McGregor started strong, landing big punches, but Diaz stayed calm and took control in the second round. He used his ground skills to trap McGregor in a choke, forcing him to give up.
How this fight shaped the UFC
This fight showed how unpredictable the UFC can be. McGregor was the clear favourite, but Diaz pulled off a huge upset. The fight brought a lot of attention to the UFC and proved that exciting rivalries and personalities are just as important as the fights themselves. UFC 196 broke records and helped make the sport even more popular.
Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald – UFC 189 (2015)
Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald fought one of the toughest and bloodiest battles in UFC history in 2015. For five rounds, they exchanged heavy punches and kicks, both refusing to back down. MacDonald’s powerful kicks hurt Lawler, but Lawler kept coming forward with strong punches.
In the fifth round, Lawler landed a huge punch that broke MacDonald’s nose, ending the fight and keeping his title.
How this fight shaped the UFC
This fight set a new standard for championship fights in the UFC. It showed how much heart and toughness fighters need to succeed. The intense action, drama, and willpower shown in this fight gave fans something to talk about for years and helped take the UFC to new levels of excitement and professionalism.
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC 165 (2013)
Jon Jones, one of the best fighters in UFC history, faced his toughest challenge in 2013 against Alexander Gustafsson. Most people thought Jones would win easily, but Gustafsson surprised everyone by matching Jones’ skills and even taking him down for the first time in his career.
The fight was back and forth, with both fighters trading hard punches and showing incredible stamina. In the end, Jones barely won by decision after five close rounds.
How this fight shaped the UFC
This fight showed that even the best fighters can be pushed to their limits. Gustafsson proved he was a top-level fighter, and the fight made fans excited about future matchups in the light heavyweight division. It also humanised Jones, making fans see him as beatable, which added more excitement to his future fights.
Conclusion
As the UFC keeps growing, new legends will be created, but the greatest UFC fights will always be special to MMA fans. These fights don’t just show incredible skill and determination; they also represent the key moments that have made the sport so exciting for people everywhere. Whether you’re watching these fights again or seeing them for the first time, they remind us why the UFC is so thrilling to watch.