The UFC has produced countless memorable moments since its inception in 1993, but certain fights transcend the sport and become part of the broader cultural fabric of combat sports. The greatest UFC fights every fan should watch are not just athletic competitions — they are narratives of human determination, tactical brilliance, and the unbreakable spirit that defines mixed martial arts. Whether you are a new fan looking to understand why MMA inspires such passion or a longtime follower wanting to revisit classic encounters, these fights represent the very best of what the UFC has to offer. For comprehensive combat sports coverage, visit the Viprow home page.
GSP vs Michael Bisping
Georges St-Pierre's return to the UFC after a four-year retirement to challenge Michael Bisping for the middleweight championship at UFC 217 is one of the most compelling stories in UFC history. GSP, widely regarded as the greatest welterweight champion of all time, moved up in weight to capture a second divisional title in what was one of the most anticipated fights of 2017. The fight itself was a masterclass in tactical fighting from St-Pierre. Despite being the smaller man, GSP used his superior wrestling and ground control to take Bisping down and eventually secure a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. The finish was fitting for a fighter who had built his legacy on technical excellence and the ability to execute game plans perfectly under the brightest lights. What made this fight truly special was the context. Bisping had been one of the most entertaining and outspoken fighters in UFC history, and his unlikely run to the middleweight title had captured the imagination of fans worldwide. GSP's return added another layer of drama, creating a event that felt bigger than just a championship fight. The encounter demonstrated that the UFC could still create matchups that transcended the sport and captured mainstream attention.
Jones vs Cormier
The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier is one of the most intense and personal in UFC history. Their first meeting at UFC 182 in January 2015 was a light heavyweight championship fight that delivered on its enormous hype. Jones, who was widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history at the time, faced Cormier, an undefeated former Olympic wrestler who represented everything Jones claimed to despise. The fight itself was a five-round war that showcased Jones's extraordinary technical ability. Despite Cormier's relentless pressure and exceptional wrestling, Jones used his reach advantage, creative striking, and unorthodox techniques to control the fight and win by unanimous decision. The performance cemented Jones's status as one of the greatest fighters of all time, while Cormier's toughness and competitiveness earned him respect even in defeat.
The rematch at UFC 214 in July 2017 was even more dramatic, though it ended controversially with Jones winning by third-round knockout only to have the result overturned after he tested positive for banned substances. The controversy surrounding their rivalry, combined with the personal animosity between the two fighters, created one of the most compelling narratives in UFC history. Their encounters demonstrated that the UFC could produce rivalries as intense and personal as anything in boxing, further establishing MMA as a legitimate combat sport with the same emotional resonance.
Weidman vs Silva I
Chris Weidman's knockout of Anderson Silva at UFC 162 in July 2013 is one of the most significant moments in UFC history. Silva had held the middleweight championship for over seven years, defending it a record fifteen consecutive times, and was widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history. His reign of dominance was so complete that many wondered if anyone could ever dethrone him. Weidman, an undefeated wrestler with limited professional experience, was given little chance against the seemingly invincible Silva. But the fight proved that anything is possible in mixed martial arts. Weidman's pressure, wrestling, and composure neutralized Silva's typically dominant striking, and a first-round knockout sent shockwaves through the MMA world.
The rematch at UFC 168 later that year was even more dramatic. Silva, looking to reclaim his title, threw a leg kick that resulted in a horrific leg break, ending the fight and Silva's championship reign in the most devastating fashion imaginable. The image of Silva's leg snapping remains one of the most graphic and memorable moments in UFC history, a stark reminder of the risks these athletes take every time they step into the Octagon. The Weidman-Silva rivalry marked the end of one era and the beginning of another, demonstrating the cyclical nature of championship fighting and the constant evolution of the sport.
McGregor vs Mendez and Aldo
Conor McGregor's run through the featherweight division in 2015 is one of the most remarkable periods in UFC history. His interim championship victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 189, followed by his thirteen-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 to unify the featherweight championship, established McGregor as the biggest star in MMA and one of the most famous athletes in the world. The Mendes fight was a testament to McGregor's heart and determination. Facing a elite wrestler on short notice, McGregor was taken down repeatedly and appeared to be losing the fight before rallying to finish Mendes with strikes in the second round. The performance demonstrated that McGregor was more than just a trash-talking showman — he was a legitimate fighter with the heart and skill to overcome adversity.
The Aldo fight was something else entirely. After months of intense trash-talking and promotional buildup, McGregor ended the fight with a single left hand just thirteen seconds into the first round. The knockout was the fastest championship finish in UFC history and cemented McGregor's status as the sport's biggest star. The combination of the promotional buildup and the explosive finish created one of the most memorable moments in UFC history and demonstrated the sport's ability to create compelling narratives that resonate far beyond the Octagon.
Holloway vs Poirier Trilogy
The trilogy between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier is one of the most entertaining and competitive rivalries in UFC history. Their three fights, spanning from 2012 to 2019, showcased the evolution of both fighters and produced some of the most exciting action the lightweight and featherweight divisions have ever seen. The first fight, a featherweight bout in 2012, saw Poirier submit Holloway in the first round. At the time, neither fighter was a championship contender, but the encounter planted the seeds for a rivalry that would define both of their careers. Their rematch at UFC 236 in 2019, an interim lightweight championship fight, was an instant classic. The two fighters engaged in five rounds of extraordinary back-and-forth action that many consider one of the greatest fights in UFC history. Poirier won by unanimous decision, but both fighters emerged as bigger stars for their incredible performances.
Their third meeting, at UFC 264 in 2021, ended controversially when Poirier won by TKO after McGregor suffered a broken leg. While the ending was anticlimactic, the trilogy as a whole demonstrated the depth of talent in the UFC's lightweight division and the ability of these fighters to produce extraordinary entertainment whenever they shared the Octagon. The Holloway-Poirier rivalry remains one of the most beloved among MMA fans, and their fights are essential viewing for anyone looking to understand what makes the UFC special.
Namajunas vs Zhang
Rose Namajunas's knockout of Zhang Weili at UFC 261 in April 2021 is one of the most significant moments in women's MMA history. The fight, which took place in front of a live audience at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, marked the return of crowds to the UFC after the COVID-19 pandemic. Namajunas's first-round head kick knockout was not just a stunning finish — it was a moment of catharsis for fans who had been starved of live sports for over a year. The significance of the fight extended beyond its dramatic finish. Zhang Weili had been one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, and her loss to Namajunas demonstrated that women's MMA was producing fights as exciting and dramatic as any in the sport. The atmosphere in the arena, combined with the quality of the fight and the stunning finish, created one of the most memorable moments in UFC history.
The rematch at UFC 268 later that year was even more competitive, with Namajunas winning by split decision in another five-round classic. The Namajunas-Zhang rivalry showcased the incredible talent and competitiveness of women's MMA, and their fights are essential viewing for any fan looking to appreciate the full breadth of what the UFC has to offer.
Why These Fights Matter
The fights profiled here represent the very best of what the UFC has produced over its three-decade history. Each brought something unique to the sport — whether it was the tactical brilliance of GSP, the explosive power of McGregor, the technical mastery of Jones, or the warrior spirit of fighters like Holloway and Poirier. These fights matter not just because they were entertaining, but because they helped define what the UFC is and what it could become. They created stars, built legacies, and demonstrated that mixed martial arts could produce moments as compelling and emotionally resonant as any sport in the world. For fans new to the sport, watching these fights provides a masterclass in what makes MMA special. For longtime fans, revisiting them is a reminder of why they fell in love with the sport in the first place. For comprehensive coverage of all UFC and combat sports action, visit the Viprow home page.