Throughout the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), there have been numerous shocking upsets that have left fans and experts in awe.
Throughout the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), there have been numerous shocking upsets that have left fans and experts in awe.
These upsets occur when an underdog fighter, often underestimated by fans and critics alike, manages to defeat a more favored opponent. These unexpected victories not only captivate audiences but also remind us of the unpredictable nature of combat sports and the potential for triumph against all odds.
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UFC upsets can occur due to a variety of factors. Sometimes, it’s a result of a perfect game plan executed flawlessly by the underdog, exploiting the weaknesses of their opponent. We will be looking at the top 10 most shocking upsets in UFC history.
Cain Velasquez was the undefeated heavyweight champion, known for his relentless pace and powerful striking. However, in a stunning upset, Junior dos Santos landed a quick right hook that floored Velasquez in just 64 seconds, claiming the heavyweight title.
Demetrious Johnson, the long-reigning flyweight champion, faced Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo. In a closely contested fight, Cejudo utilized his wrestling and ground control to secure a split decision victory, dethroning Johnson and ending his historic title reign.
Ronda Rousey, returning after a year-long hiatus, faced bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes displayed her striking superiority, landing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight in just 48 seconds, ending Rousey’s glorious career even though it’s a bitter ending for someone like her which shocked the MMA community.
Mirko Cro Cop was a feared striker with devastating knockout power. However, Gabriel Gonzaga shocked the MMA world by landing a perfectly executed head kick in the first round, knocking out Cro Cop and announcing his arrival in the heavyweight division.
Conor McGregor, the reigning featherweight champion, moved up to welterweight to face Nate Diaz on short notice. Diaz weathered McGregor’s early onslaught, then turned the tide and submitted him with a rear-naked choke in the second round, handing McGregor his first loss in the UFC.
B.J. Penn was a dominant lightweight champion, but Frankie Edgar proved to be his kryptonite. In their first encounter, Edgar utilized his speed and footwork to outstrike Penn and secure a unanimous decision victory, ending Penn’s reign of supremacy in the division.
Anderson Silva was considered the greatest fighter in UFC history with a long reign as the middleweight champion. However, Chris Weidman shocked the world by landing a left hook that knocked Silva out cold in the second round, ending his dominant title run.
Renan Barão had not lost a fight in nearly a decade and was widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. However, T.J. Dillashaw showcased his skills with exceptional footwork and striking, overwhelming Barão to secure a fifth-round TKO and become the new bantamweight champion.
Ronda Rousey was considered unbeatable in the women’s bantamweight division until she faced Holly Holm. Holm utilized her superior striking skills to deliver a devastating head-kick knockout in the second round, dethroning Rousey which was quite a surprise for the MMA community.
Matt Serra, a heavy underdog, faced the dominant welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Serra stunned the world by landing a clean punch and knocking out St-Pierre in the first round, becoming the new UFC welterweight champion.
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