Top 10 Greatest MMA Fights of All Time has produced some of the maximum electrifying, heart-pounding moments in sports activities sports records. From adorable comebacks to 5-spherical wars, the octagon has been home to battles that examined no longer simplest physical toughness however additionally the spirit, technique, and coronary heart of its fighters.
Whether you are an established UFC fan or just starting your MMA adventure, the ones legendary fights have helped define the game. Here are the pinnacle 10 greatest MMA fights of all time, ranked based on excitement, impact, and sheer strength of will.
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1. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II – UFC 189 (2015)
Why it’s mythical:
This fight modified right into a bloody struggle of attrition amongst two elite welterweights. MacDonald become landing precision movements, at the identical time as Lawler refused to back off and introduced devastating counters. What made this fight unforgettable turned into the sheer grit every guys displayed—culminating in Lawler preventing MacDonald in Round 5 with a brutal punch that shattered Rory’s nose.
Legacy:
Considered with the resource of many due to the fact the finest UFC combat of all time, it showcased coronary heart, pain tolerance, and the violent poetry that defines MMA.
2. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar – The Ultimate Fighter Finale (2005)
Why it’s mythical:
This fight is credited with bringing MMA into the mainstream. Griffin and Bonnar threw everything that they had at every unique in a relentless three-spherical slugfest. It wasn’t approximately ideal technique—it changed into approximately raw willpower.
Legacy:
Dana White regularly says this fight “saved” the UFC. It became casual visitors into lifelong lovers and kickstarted the MMA boom in America.
3. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson I – UFC 160 5 (2013)
Why it’s legendary:
Coming into the fight, Jon Jones become visible as untouchable. But Gustafsson bowled over genuinely anybody through matching the champ blow for blow. He took Jones down for the primary time in his profession and driven him to his limits.
Legacy:
This become Jones’ toughest test and proved that he changed into human. Both opponents earned enormous recognize and the bout continues to be taken into consideration one of the tremendous in light heavyweight history.
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4. Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua – UFC 139 (2011)
Why it’s legendary:
Two Pride legends collided in a 5-round epic that observed momentum swing wildly. Henderson got here out robust, almost finishing Rua, but Shogun roared again within the later rounds with relentless strain.
Legacy:
This brutal struggle confirmed the resilience of all-time greats and earned Fight of the Year honors. It moreover helped solidify the legend of Hendo’s “H-Bomb” proper hand.
5. Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC 236 (2019)
Why it’s legendary:
For 5 rounds, Adesanya and Gastelum waged an all-out battle for the period in-between middleweight call. Gastelum’s strain nearly crushed Izzy, but Adesanya responded with coronary coronary heart and technical brilliance in the fifth spherical to secure a unanimous preference.
Legacy:
This changed into Adesanya’s coming-of-age universal performance. His emotional reaction afterward—"I'm organized to die"—captured the gravity of the moment.
6. Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva – UFC 79 (2007)
Why it’s legendary:
Fans had waited for years to see the ones knockout artists rectangular off. When it in the end came about, they didn’t disappoint. Both men swung wildly for three rounds, refusing to go into reverse. Top 10 Greatest MMA Fights of All Time.
Legacy:
Though beyond their primes, each fighters added a memorable brawl. It become a Pride vs. UFC dream fight that lived as much as the hype.
7. Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley – Strikeforce (2011)
Why it’s legendary:
This one-spherical fight became natural chaos. Daley dropped Diaz times, however Diaz saved coming in advance and overwhelmed him with his signature strain and amount placing to complete Daley earlier than the spherical ended.
Legacy:
It’s arguably the quality one-spherical combat in MMA information and a show off of Diaz's warrior spirit.
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8. Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jdrzejczyk – UFC 248 (2020)
Why it’s mythical:
Two of the super strawweights in statistics went toe-to-toe in a nonstop hanging clinic. Zhang and Joanna exchanged hundreds of extensive strikes, with neither giving an inch. Joanna’s brow hematoma have end up an iconic image of the fight.
Legacy:
This is extensively considered the greatest women’s MMA combat of all time. It increased the reputation of ladies’s divisions and proved they may headline any occasion.
9. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II – UFC 202 (2016)
Why it’s mythical:
After Diaz taken aback the world of their first stumble upon, the rematch had big stakes. McGregor confirmed evolution in his activity, handling distance and pacing even as Nate never stopped urgent. It became a grueling 5-spherical combat complete of drama, knockdowns, and grit.
Legacy:
This combat became the peak of McGregor’s stardom and helped solidify Diaz’s cult reputation. It changed into a conventional striker-vs-brawler storyline that added fireworks.
10. Antonio Nogueira vs. Mirko Cro Cop – Pride Final Conflict (2003)
Why it’s legendary:
Cro Cop have become the horrifying striker. Nogueira became the submission wizard. Cro Cop dominated early with thunderous kicks, but Nogueira weathered the typhoon and took the combat to the ground, submitting Cro Cop with an armbar.
Legacy:
This is a textbook example of the manner BJJ can neutralize elite striking. It’s a Pride-era gem that holds up even in recent times.
- These fights just disregarded the pinnacle 10 however are however well worth watching:
- Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II – Unforgettable draw after Edgar nearly were given finished.
- Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez – A putting masterclass.
- Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler – An absolute struggle from bell to bell.
- Korean Zombie vs. Dustin Poirier – Brawl with brutal exchanges and a wild quit.
What Makes a Fight Truly Great?
1. Drama & Stakes
Title implications, non-public rivalries, or underdog memories upload emotional weight to any contest.
2. Back-and-Forth Action
The nice fights characteristic momentum swings, with both warring parties having moments of Top 10 Greatest MMA Fights of All Time.
3. Heart and Willpower
Fans love looking fighters dig deep and push past their limits.
4. Technical Skill
While brawls are specific, a simply remarkable combat also showcases elite technique.
5. Legacy Impact
Did the fight have an effect on destiny stars? Did it help develop the sport? That adds to its greatness.
Final Thoughts
MMA isn’t pretty much knockouts and submissions—it’s approximately storytelling, character, and the human battle. These top 10 best MMA fights of all time capture all of that and greater. They’re not just contests of strength—they’re snapshots of information, and that they remind us why we fell in love with this pastime inside the first region.
Whether you’re a die-difficult fan or a curious newcomer, these fights are a should-watch. Grab your gloves (or popcorn) and dive into some of the most unforgettable moments MMA has ever produced.
