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It would be hard to name a sport more intense and drama-filled than mixed martial arts (MMA). MMA is known for its unpredictability and jaw-dropping moments that get fans on their feet in excitement. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the pinnacle of MMA, and it is home to the greatest fighters in the world. Due to the number of incredible fighters on the UFC roster, this results in some amazing title fights that have delivered some of the best we have ever seen. Championship bouts provide another level of excitement, as the outcome feels more high-stakes, as a win or loss has a massive impact on a fighter's legacy and how they will be viewed once their career is over.
From blood-soaked five-round battles to record-breaking finishes, these title fights have provided MMA fans with some of the most unforgettable moments in combat sports. Many MMA fans may look to sportsbooks and live casino platforms for the latest title fight odds, using them to compare and consider which way a clash might lean.
Here’s a view into some of the greatest title fights in UFC history.
During the 2000s, the light heavyweight division was one of the premier divisions in the UFC, due to its star power and incredible matchups. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was one of the biggest stars in the UFC. He was known globally thanks to his success in Japan fighting for the organisation called Pride.
On the other side of the octagon, you had Forrest Griffin. Forrest had captured the hearts of UFC fans after his time on the first season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.Not many people expected Forrest to achieve the heights he did in his career, let alone find himself in a UFC title fight.
The fight itself was gruelling, going all five rounds, and both men traded punches and kicks. Many believed that Rampage would be too much for Forrest, and he would run through him like he had run through his previous opponents. Forrest secured the upset win, a victory which cemented his place in UFC history.
Jon Jones was at the peak of his powers in the early 2010s, and when he was scheduled to face Swedish striker Alexander Gustafsson, many believed it would just be another day at the office for Jones. Instead, fans got to witness one of the most intense and back-and-forth fights in UFC history.
Gustafsson put the world of MMA on its feet with his performance at UFC 165. Coming into the fight, he was largely unknown, but after the fight, he made sure everyone remembered his name. Over the course of five rounds, he used his elite-level boxing to match Jones on the feet, and he even became the first fighter to take Jones down in the UFC.
Although Gustafsson put on an incredible performance, Jones showed why he was the champion. He never looked out of the fight, and after landing a spinning elbow in the fourth round, Jones used his championship mindset to fight his way back. After five rounds, Jones was declared the winner in a fight which has since been entered into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Lightweight is considered by many to be the most competitive weight class in all of MMA, and winning a title in this weight class is incredibly difficult. In 2011, fan favourites Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard were to rematch for the lightweight title. In the opening round, Edgar was dropped multiple times, and it appeared the belt would change hands.
Edgar had other ideas, as he somehow survived the onslaught of the first round, and across the next four rounds, he used his trademark blend of boxing and takedowns to fight his way back into the match. After five hard-fought rounds, the fight was declared a draw, a result which is extremely uncommon in title fights. The fight showcased the heart and determination that it takes to become a UFC champion.
No list of the best UFC title fights is complete without Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald 2. Few fights have symbolised the beauty and brutality of MMA better than this welterweight title clash. Lawler’s reign as champion was one of the most violent and entertaining in UFC history, with each fight being a war.
As the famous saying goes, ‘it takes two to tango,’ and MacDonald was as game an opponent as possible. From the opening bell, both men were landing devastating strikes, with MacDonald’s use of headkicks giving him the edge. But Lawler never gave up, and he kept pushing the pace well into the championship rounds. By the end of the fourth round, both fighters were absolutely exhausted, and it went down to who wanted it more. In the final round, Lawler landed a left hand which crumbled MacDonald as he retained his title with a TKO victory.
Women’s MMA has delivered some remarkable fights, and this strawweight title bout between Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili is among the very best. For many years, Joanna was the queen of the strawweights as she enjoyed a long reign at the top of the division. However, UFC 248 marked the passing of the guard as Joanna challenged the new champion, Weili.
For five rounds, the two women went toe-to-toe in a technical yet brutal striking battle. Joanna showcased her volume and precision, while Zhang countered with explosive power and combinations. The damage sustained was extraordinary, most notably the massive haematoma on Joanna’s forehead, which became an iconic image of her warrior spirit. Zhang narrowly retained her belt by split decision, but both fighters earned widespread admiration.
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