10 MMA Fights You Need To See
The sport of MMA has really popularised in recent years and that’s because of huge stars such as Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Chuck Liddell and arguably the biggest name of all; Conor McGregor. There’s been many big fights and not just UFC - Pride has had fantastic fights, Bellator has knocked it out of the park many times in the past, RIZIN has had more of a handful of good fights so here at the 10 fights you need to see.
Disclaimer: This list isn’t ranked by the best MMA fights, this list contains the most significant and entertaining fights.
Disclaimer: This list isn’t ranked by the best MMA fights, this list contains the most significant and entertaining fights.
10) Ronda Rousey Vs. Holly Holm
When women were first announced to compete in the UFC, there was a handful of names in mind but the one which the UFC heavily promoted was Ronda Rousey. She was promoted from strike force women’s champion to the UFC women’s champion. She went on to defend the belt a good couple of times with Rousey even making Cat Zingano tapping out in 14 seconds but then the competition got harder. Next on Rousey’s radar was 9-0 Holly Holm and Holm’s striking was too much for Rousey and the reason you need to see this fight is it was the fall of Ronda Rousey and she was a significant fighter in the women’s division and in a way, this fight paved the way for the future of women in the UFC; the Rousey era ended in that fight.
9) Brock Lesnar Vs. Cain Velasquez
Back when Brock Lesnar was UFC Heavyweight Champion, many thought he couldn’t be beaten but when he fought Cain Velasquez - it all changed. This was one of the most significant fights in the history of the UFC Heavyweight division and it was a clash of two titans. Despite the fight only lasting one round, it’s a fight you need to see.
8) Eddie Alvarez Vs. Michael Chandler
The Bellator Lightweight division hasn’t ever been unknown but arguably one of the biggest names in Bellator history is Michael Chandler and when he scrapped with Eddie Alvarez - it had a lot of eyes on the fight and that’s because it wasn’t a scrap, it was a war. The first few seconds was both men exchanging strikes with Alvarez being knocked down in the first 20 seconds but he came back. Chandler drops Alvarez as soon as the round is about to end, the action doesn’t slow down either - the fight is just crazy to watch. Both men were pouring with blood and looked like they were getting hitting with bricks. The fight ends when Alvarez submits to a rear naked choke - the two had a rematch but I have to say it, I preferred the first but you also need to watch the second fight.
7) Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs. Conor McGregor
This fight was the biggest fight in UFC history hence it’s on the list - this fight had many people predicting the outcome with some people thinking McGregor would KO the Russian sensation in the first round or Khabib would just out wrestle the Irish man for all 5 rounds but this fight was just so incredibly compelling to watch as something unpredictable happened in this fight and that’s when the grappler Khabib knocked down striker McGregor with an overhand - McGregor was rocked and backed off immediately. The moment shocked millions but it didn’t stop there - after the fight, a brawl took place after Khabib retained his UFC Lightweight Championship by making McGregor submit in the goth round, he jumped in the crowd to attack McGregor’s team and more specifically, Dillon Danis. The brawl cost McGregor and Khabib suspensions and while Khabib is still serving his, McGregor is able to compete as early as next month although he’s retired from MMA now so there’s not really a point.
6) Royce Gracie Vs. Gerard Gordeau
This is the main event of UFC 1 so you need to see this to see how far the UFC has changed. I mean, on this very card, somebody won with a soccer kick so there we go. This fight doesn’t last very long but it’s important to see how advanced grappling has came from Royce Gracie to Khabib Nurmagomedov. You need to see this fight, it’s not the best and it’s only a minute long but if you haven’t seen it, check it out.
5) Nick Diaz Vs. Takanori Gomi
Back in 2007, PRIDE was killing the MMA world but in a good way and one name which was there was Nick Diaz and he put on a clinic against Takanori Gomi and this was just striking - all of it. Little bit of grappling but the majority was non-stop striking. The two exchanged strikes but it was Diaz who won by submission in the second round however the decision was overturned due to Diaz testing positive for marijuana - not much of a surprise there.
4) Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen
Where do we start? Let’s just start with that it was a fantastic fight and Sonnen leading the score cards going into the fifth round in this
middleweight title fight, with the scores being “40-34, 40-36 and 40-35”. It looked like the odds where in Chael’s favour but Silva did the unthinkable, he won in the fifth round with Silva winning with a triangle armbar. It was a fantastic fight and you definitely need to check it out.
middleweight title fight, with the scores being “40-34, 40-36 and 40-35”. It looked like the odds where in Chael’s favour but Silva did the unthinkable, he won in the fifth round with Silva winning with a triangle armbar. It was a fantastic fight and you definitely need to check it out.
3) Jorge Santiago Vs. Kazuo Misaki 2
You want to talk about fantastic middleweight fights? Here we are. I’m not even going to say anything about this entry - watch it. It’s free on YouTube and you can watch it there in HD. Just know that you won’t be disappointed.
2) Jon Jones Vs. Alexander Gustafsson
If you want to spend 25 minutes a war? This is the fight you should watch. This is possibly and I would even say is the most entertaining light heavyweight title fight. What makes this fight so entertaining is that people often debate about who won the fight? Some people think Jones won while others think Gustafsson won and that’s what makes the fighter even better to watch. Also in this fight, Gustafsson took Jones down for the first time in Jones’ MMA career.
1) Robbie Lawler Vs. Rory MacDonald 2
Possibly the greatest welterweight title fight in MMA history? It’s certainly the bloodiest, no doubt about that. This fight had everything, it was one of Lawler’s first defences and it was his second bout against MacDonald. Their first bout ended in split decision so the talks for a rematch was always on the table. Both men SLUGGED it out for 5 rounds with MacDonald’s nose being shattered and Lawler’s lip busted, it was Lawler who prevailed with a round 5 TKO victory over MacDonald.
