Since the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) began 1993, there has been over 4,500 fights spanning well over 400 events.
During that time, champions have risen and fallen. Some fights may have been forgotten, but some have gone down in history as some of the best of the sport. At 25 years old this year, the UFC has decided to share their best flights on Twitter for all to see. (https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX)
According to the UFC, these are – in ranked order – the best flights in UFC history. They are bloody and violent, sweaty and brutal, but that is exactly why they are the best.
15: Diego Sanchez vs Gilbert Melendez, 2013. UFC 166, Melendez wins after three brutal rounds.
"THAT IS THE WILDEST, MOST ENTERTAINING FIGHT I'VE EVER SEEN!" — @JoeRogan@GilbertMelendez vs. @DiegoSanchezUFC comes in at #15 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/xsYl5mzxhr
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 15, 2018
14: Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaethje, 2017. UFC 218, knockout win to Alvarez, former UFC lightweight champion.
"EDDIE ALVAREZ ADDS TO THE LEGEND!"@ealvarezfight vs. @justin_gaethje comes in at #14 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/4sfXQ7q4Fa
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 15, 2018
13: Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit, 2016. Lawler defended his UFC welterweight title after a split decision win.
"JUST AN ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT!" — @JoeRogan@Ruthless_RL vs. @CarlosCondit's five-round classic comes in at #13 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/6AAscjuDfI
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 15, 2018
12: Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar, 2005. This finale of The Ultimate Fighter 1 is hailed as the fight that sparked interest across the world.
"I SAY HAND OUT TWO CONTRACTS!" — @JoeRogan@ForrestGriffin vs. @StephanBonnar is arguably the most important fight in @UFC history, as it comes in at #12 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/AbOIF8PA6Z
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 16, 2018
11: Matt Hughes vs B.J. Penn. Hughes successfully defends his UFC 63 title, scoring a knockout win against Penn who is a jiu-jitsu black belt.
"You are the greatest champion ever!" — @DanaWhite to Matt Hughes
The Hughes vs. @BJPenn rematch comes in at #11 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/UApRcHI8FL
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 16, 2018
10: Mark Hunt vs Antônio Silva, 2013. Judges were unable to separate the two who were looking to more than win by both through exceptionally heavy punches.
"HUGE SHOTS BEING LANDED BY BOTH SIDES!"
Is @markhunt1974 vs. @Bigfootsilva the greatest draw in @ufc history? Their brawl comes in at #10 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/qoLgxn5eTY
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 16, 2018
9: Matt Hughes vs Frank Trigg, 2005. At this UFC 52 fight, Hughes looked as if he was down and out, but he rose from the ashes and forced a stoppage win with a powerful choke.
"AND HERE WE GO!"
Is Matt Hughes vs. @franktrigg II the best one-round fight ever? Their rematch comes in at #9 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/WSXLdfHAbf
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 16, 2018
8: Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen, 2010. A five round elbow crazy fight saw Silva take the win at the UFC 117.
"DID HE TAP?" @SpiderAnderson Silva and @ChaelSonnen's five-round heart stopper comes in at #8 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/eLXpmVh8Eo
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 16, 2018
7: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson, 2013. Jones takes the win at UFC 165 before posing for a photo with his rival.
"So you want to be an Ultimate Fighter huh?" @JonnyBones and @AlexTheMauler's epic five-round title fight comes in at #7 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/OqSIZFe9WP
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 20, 2018
6: Chuck Liddell vs Wanderlei Silva, 2007. An action packed UFC 79 sees Liddell fight his last great fight.
"THE ICEMAN RETURNS!" @ChuckLiddell vs @wandfc comes in at #6 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/NgWc0MNRUO
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 20, 2018
5: Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard, 2011. Although ending in a draw, this fight is up there with the best due to a very technical and skilled five round fight for both men.
"THIS FIGHT IS CONSIDERED A DRAW!" — @BruceBuffer
The @frankieedgar vs @GrayMaynard trilogy was wild, and their first rematch comes in at #5 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/D14vh1GJUx
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 20, 2018
4: Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald, 2015. This fight is what people expect from UFC, blood, sweat and heavy punches.
"What an incredible fight, a fight where both fighters were pushed to the limit!" — @JoeRogan
The @RuthlessRL vs. @rory_macdonald rematch was sensational, as it ranks #4 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! Too high? Too low? pic.twitter.com/9u2SLAQIzT
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 21, 2018
3: Dan Henderson vs Maurício Rua, 2011. This fight was hailed ‘fight of the year’.
"What a great fight indeed. Shogun. Henderson." @danhendo vs. @shogunrua spent five rounds proving why they're legends, as their fight comes in at #3 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! pic.twitter.com/hcr2OyDhQJ
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 21, 2018
2: Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz, 2016. After much bravado between these two UFC celebrities, Diaz takes the win with a shock submission victory in the UFC 196.
"HE DID IT! HE TAPPED!" — @JoeRogan
The first match between @thenotoriousmma vs. @natediaz209 was phenomenal, as their fight comes in at #2 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list!
What fight will be #1? pic.twitter.com/TTEcXdCxH9
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 21, 2018
1: Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz, the sequel. According to UFC, this fight beat all others – and rightly so. Although ending on a points win, McGregor fights back with his tongue and his fists to exact revenge over his long-time rival, Diaz.
"THEY LEFT IT ALL INSIDE THE OCTAGON!"
The rematch between @TheNotoriousMMA vs. @NateDiaz209 is the GOAT, as their fight finishes #1 on the #UFC25GreatestFights list! pic.twitter.com/AM4W10qfe5
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 21, 2018
Are there any fights you feel are missing from this list? If so leave a comment an we’ll do our best to forward your message to the UFC President.
Thank you for the terrific article