R. MacDonald (right) had the co-main fight of UFC 189 against R. Lawler (left). Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
In over three decades of entertaining combat sports fans from all over the world, some athletes have made their mark on UFC history by starring in thrilling fights that will always be remembered. In such interesting duels, it is not even fair to say there are winners and losers.
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Therefore, the SUPER FIGHTS selected some of the best fights in UFC history. These fights shaped the public's perception of what it means to be a true MMA fighter and helped completely change the company's profile and transformed the UFC into an extremely profitable business.
Check out the best fights in UFC history
Robbie Lawler x Rory McDonald II – UFC 189
Robbie Lawler e Rory McDonald in a title fight (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter)
There is no way to mention the best fights in history without mentioning the second meeting between Robbie Lawler and Rory McDonald, valid for the welterweight belt (up to 77,1 kg.) in the co-main event of UFC 189. Shortly before Conor McGregor step into the octagon to face Chad Mendes, the two fighters starred in a confrontation considered by many to be the best of all time.
Amidst heavy blows and very even rounds, the images of the injuries to both athletes before the fifth and final round were forever etched in the minds of fans. Lawler, with a deep cut on his lip, returned for the final round knowing that he needed a knockout to remain champion. The Canadian, on the other hand, needed to hold out for just five minutes to become the new king of the division.
Despite his excellent performance, McDonald was unable to survive the American's strong left straights, mainly because he suffered violent fractures to his nose. Thus, Lawler won by knockout at the beginning of the fifth round. The fight won the Fight of the Year award at the World MMA Awards in 2015.
Dan Henderson vs Mauricio Shogun I – UFC 139
D. Henderson (left) in a duel against M. Shogun (right). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Great names in the history of PRIDE, Dan Henderson e Mauritius Shogun The two faced off in the world's most famous octagon in November 2011, in the main event of UFC 139, in a duel valid for the light heavyweight category (up to 93 kg). Despite getting the worst of it in the first rounds, the fighter from Curitiba managed to land some good strikes on the feet and control the American on the ground during the last round. This was the second time that a fight without a belt at stake was scheduled for 25 minutes, which proved to be a wise decision.
After a great fight, Dan Henderson was declared the winner by unanimous decision. The two would meet again a few years later, with the American knocking out Shogun on home soil.
Weili Zhang x Joanna Jedrzejczyk I – UFC 248
J. Jedrzejczyk (left) and W. Zhang (right) had one of the most exciting fights in the UFC 248. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFCBrasil
Regardless of gender, the fight between Joanna Jedrzejczyk e Weili Zhang is one of the best in the history of not only Ultimate, but in the entire history of MMA. The greatest strawweight champion (up to 52,1 kg) of all time, the Polish fighter was trying to regain the crown by challenging the new queen of the division, in March 2020.
For 25 minutes, the two rewarded fans with a fierce and intense duel, perfectly represented by the image of Joanna's face. The former champion was left with a deformed forehead after absorbing strong punches from her opponent, similar to the fight between Mark Homminick and José Aldo.
Joanna had a deformed face after her defeat. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter
Forrest Griffin x Stephan Bonnar
Bonnar (left) and Griffin (right) made a historic TUF 1 final. Photo: Disclosure
Valid for the final of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in the light heavyweight category (up to 93 kg), the fight between Forrest griffin e Stephan bonnar It was one of the most important moments in the company's entire journey.
The aggressiveness and courage demonstrated by the two athletes resulted in the event generating such high audience numbers that it was enough to guarantee the renewal of the product, in addition to catapulting the names of both athletes to stardom. The fight was chosen as the best in UFC history in 2009, and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Diego Sanchez x Clay Guida – TUF 9 Finale
Diego Sanchez vs Clay guida : IT WAS WAR
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) April 15, 2023
Two of the most seasoned athletes of all time, Clay guida e Diego Sanchez became famous worldwide after sharing the octagon in June 2009, in a fight valid for the lightweight category (up to 70,3 kg). After a tense face-off, both went for it and exchanged punches for several minutes without respite.
Clearly the better fighter, Diego took Guida to the ground after landing a perfect kick to his opponent's head, who surprisingly resisted the impact and stayed in the fight until the end of the third round. Sanchez would emerge victorious by split decision. The fight won the Fight of the Year award and was included in the Ultimate Hall of Fame ten years later.
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