Top UFC Rivalries: Known to be the best MMA Platform in the world, take a look at the top 5 most heated rivalries of all time in UFC
Rivalries has been a part of any sport since the beginning of time. The UFC Rivalries in particular go together like peanut better and jelly. There is always something about two fighters struggling to show their superiority amongst each other, keeps the fighting fans asking for more.
Having said that, in this article we are going to take a look at some of the best rivalries that have taken part in UFC History.
Top UFC Rivalries
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Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic
One thinks about Daniel Cormier and assumes Jon Jones to be his ultimate rival. But the former has himself revealed that his rivalry with the Stipe Miocic has been the one to be registered among the UFC History books.
Miocic vs Cormier I – UFC 226
The pair first fought at UFC 226, wherein Miocic and Corier met for the first time in the octagon. Although Miocic gave Cormier a tough fight, yet one solid right hook from the (then) reigning Heavyweight Champion was enough to see this defend his belt against Stipe Miocic.
Miocic vs Cormier II – UFC 241
Cormier and Miocic again locked horns at UFC 241. This time the challenger, Miocic came much more prepared and decided to take the fight long. After emptying Daniel Cormier’s tank by the 4th round, Miocic decided to end the fight courtesy to his ruthless body blows which ensured Cormier was all worked up before the referee calls it out.
Miocic vs Cormier III – UFC 252
This was the deciding chapter of this rivalry and also Daniel Cormier’s last fight ever in the octagon. Miocic used the same tactics to get past Cormier, by taking the fight to the latter round. However, this time Cormier ensured he didn’t get Tko’d, but Stipe Moicic evidently stamped his authority on his opponent to win via unanimous decision.
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Georges St. Pierre vs Matt Hughes
These two are one of the most decorated MMA fighters of all time in the UFC. Matt Hughes was reckoned to be Georges St. Pierre hero and when they met for the first the latter was starstrucked. Everytime that this pair met in the octagon it was for a title fight.
Pierre vs Hughes I – UFC 50
Hughes was dominating Pierre since the very first minute and wasted no time in stamping his authority over the French-Canadian fighter with a brutal arm bar and defended his title with utmost ease.
Pierre vs Hughes II – UFC 65
The one thing about George St. Pierre was that, he never stopped learning from his mistakes. So when Pierre came back to face Hughes, he ensured that his hero was made aware of his power. In the 2nd round, Pierre smashed a kick onto the chin of Hughes that made him land flat on the carpet. After which there was a new Welterweight Champion being established.
Pierre vs Hughes III – UFC 79
One of the best fights of St. Pierre’s career, not only did he beat Hughes to defend his title. But also won in the same fashion he lost the first fight against him, via submission.
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Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir
Another heavyweight duo who makes it into this list. This pair fought twice to establish whose superior onto whom, but even to this day it remains up for only the fanatics to debate upon who was better. However, both these fighters were known for their sheer knockout ability and utmost surprising agility. Justifying that, it was clear that to get past the other, it would take some sheer metal.
Lesnar vs Mir I – UFC 81
Brock Lesnar started the fight is one of the most untammed way, when he charged onto Mir with some significant body blows and hooks, However within the first 2 minutes of the fight, Mir turned everything around as he overturned from being lay-ed on the carpet to make Lesnar submit to a deep knee bar.
Lesnar vs Mir II – UFC 100
Brock Lesnar came back for vengeance in UFC 100 and wanted to see him not onlt beat Mir, but also let him know about who he was facing.From several takedowns to a devastating TKO finish, Mir suffered it all. Many suggested that at the end of the fight Mir looked like coming back from a failed plastic surgery.
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Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz
The Notorious McGregor is known to be one of the best trash talkers in the UFC. However he faced Diaz, who likes to get angry before the fight to make his opponent realize their mistake. In short, this was a rivalry made up by the UFC Gods.
McGregor vs Diaz I – UFC 196
The Irishman dominated the first round wherein he made Diaz look like a ‘bloody beast’. However one powerful takedown from Nate Diaz ensured McGregor had his lights off as his powerful hooks on McGregor’s head along with submission hold made the latter tap out.
McGregor vs Diaz II – UFC 202
After the first defeat McGregor’s ego was unsettled and he wanted to gt past Diaz anyhow. Th epair fought through the entire 5 rounds and proved to be one of the closest fights in UFC history. At the end Conor McGregor won the fight via unanimous decision.
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Royce Gracie vs Ken Shamrock
This rivalry started in all in UFC. This pair kicked off the UFC 1 event, wherein Gracie was coming from a Jiu-Jitsu fighter whereas Shamrock was considered to be a street shoe-fighter.
Gracie vs Shamrock I – UFC 1
In the very first round Gracie got Shamrock to the ground and forced the latter to tap out, making it one of the quickest finishes of all-time.
Gracie vs Shamrock II – UFC 5
Shamrock wanted to prove to be the first fighter Gracie would ever lose to, in the octagon. The pair kept hugging each other most of the time and as a result this fight was adjudged as a draw.
Gracie vs Shamrock III – Bellator 149
The last fight was fought under the banner of Bellator 149 wherein, Gracie won to take the rivalry 2-0.