Top 5 Rivalries That Defined the UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship today has evolved from being a relatively unknown sporting event to a mainstream sporting event, and a major portion of this can be attributed to the tensions that have characterized most of the events in its history. Conflicts in the UFC are not only professional to a certain extent but also personal vendettas, differences in the fighting techniques, and passions that the fighters introduce into the cage. These rivalries have set the era, attracted people’s unprecedented attention to the sport, and given MMA fans some of the most iconic moments. In this case, it is worth taking a look at the five most iconic rivalries that took place at the UFC.
- Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz
The Rivalry:
It is arguably one of the biggest rivalries in the history of the UFC, representing the new era of the sport in the early 2000s. Liddell, referred to as ‘The Iceman’ and Ortiz, called ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,’ both were prominent in the light heavyweight class. He and his opponent, Ken Shamrock, had personal enmity and completely opposite personal characteristics, so their strife went far beyond the Octagon.
Key Moments:
UFC 47 (2004): The first time Liddell and Ortiz faced each other was at UFC 47. The fight ended by TKO in the second round, and Liddell, as expected, was the knockout specialist. This win was crucial for Liddell, as he would later transform into one of the most famous fighters in the UFC.
UFC 66 (2006): Their fight at UFC 66 was considered by many to be one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the UFC. Liddell once again came out on top; this time he won by TKO in the third round. This bout was extremely financially profitable for the UFC, which underlined the audience interest in their enmity.
UFC 115 (2010): The two fought for a third time, although this bout was never confirmed during the fighters’ prime years. But eventually, they faced each other once again outside the UFC in 2018, where Ortiz prevailed, although in very different circumstances.
Impact on the UFC:
The Liddell vs. Ortiz rivalry was the perfect formula for the growth of the UFC, as it brought a lot of pay-per-view buys and media coverage. Their spectacular battles and magnetic characters helped to enlist new followers and promote the UFC’s position in the sphere of sports.
- Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
The Rivalry:
Anderson Silva, often considered one of the best mixed martial artists of all time, had his ideal opponent in Chael Sonnen, a loudmouth wrestler. Sonnen’s constant trash talk and his willingness to be the underdog brought out the best in his opponent and made for quite the rivalry that was fun for all to watch.
Key Moments:
UFC 117 (2010): The first bout between Silva and Sonnen in UFC 117 is remembered as one of the best fights in the history of MMA. Sonnen controlled the fight against Silva throughout the fight with his wrestling, but Silva hit a spectacular fifth-round triangle armbar submission to defend his middleweight belt. It was legendary because of the element of surprise and Sonnen’s appalling pre-fight attitude.
UFC 148 (2012): Their next fight was again much expected and was held at UFC 148. Silva knocked out his contender in the second round to put an end to their rivalry in a TKO. The event became famous for having the largest live gate in UFC history at the time, which strengthened Silva’s position.
Impact on the UFC:
The conflict between Silva and Sonnen attracted a huge interest in the 185-pound division. Sonnen was great at marketing, while Silva was arguably the most talented fighter in the promotion, which ultimately drew a lot of attention, thus making the UFC financially successful and continuing to garner Silva’s popularity as an MMA fighter.
- Jones vs. Cormier
The Rivalry:
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier is easily one of the most intense personal rivalries in the history of the UFC. They shared the animosity that developed into a heated rivalry in and out of the cage: Jones, still regarded as one of the all-time greats of MMA, and Cormier, an Olympic wrestler and former Strikeforce heavyweight champion.
Key Moments:
UFC 182 (2015): In their first fight at UFC 182, Jones was able to retain his light heavyweight title via unanimous decision. The fight was very technical and intense, and there was visible hatred between the two fighters because before the fight they had exchanged words.
UFC 214 (2017): This fight was another highly anticipated bout that took place at UFC 214. Jones knocked out the opponent in the third round, although the victory was changed to no contest due to Jones’s violation of anti-doping rules. This made the rivalry between the two companies even more bitter, with this controversy adding to the existing conflict.
Impact on the UFC:
The Jones vs. Cormier rivalry was instrumental in bringing out the light heavyweight division in the UFC. The fight encounters between them attracted a lot of attention, and people who paid for the fight to be aired through the pay-per-view system, which is an indicator of the popularity of the sport, It also brought out the issues of drug testing and athletes’ behavior in the UFC.
- The fight that really stands out among the other fights is the one between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.
The Rivalry:
Conor McGregor, who gained recognition for his arrogance and KO power, and Nate Diaz, a no-nonsense fighter hailing from Stockton, California, brewed one of the most interesting enmities ever seen in the UFC. Their meeting was a rather surprising one and brought two of the most memorable fights in the history of the sport.
Key Moments:
UFC 196 (2016): Originally, McGregor was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos, but he was replaced by Diaz at the last minute as dos Anjos was injured. Diaz defeated McGregor in what was arguably the most shocking upset in recent memory, a second-round submission win that saw the Irishman lose his first UFC fight.
UFC 202 (2016): The build-up to the rematch at UFC 202 was expected, and the fight was everything that people expected it to be. The fight went the distance until the final round, and the result was a majority decision in favor of McGregor. It became the most-watched pay-per-view event in UFC history at that time, solidifying the rivalry as one of the best ever.
Impact on the UFC:
The animosity between the two fighters, McGregor and Diaz, made people tune in and created great revenue for the UFC. Their fights became a topic of discussion in the mainstream media and brought in the average Joe and Jane, wanting to view such a fantastic pair of fighters. The showcasing of McGregor’s chin and Diaz’s game plan made both fighters folklore in MMA.
- Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate
The Rivalry:
The most important factor that helped to promote women’s MMA was a rivalry between Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. Rousey is an Olympic Judo medalist, and Tate is a skilled wrestler, and the two had very different personalities, which added to the intensity of the rivalry.
Key Moments:
Strikeforce (2012): Their initial bout was in Strikeforce, where Rousey submitted the opponent to an armbar, leading to victory for the women’s bantamweight championship. The prelude to the fight and Rousey’s victory created excitement for their subsequent physical confrontations.
UFC 168 (2013): Their battle in the octagon was just as intense when they faced each other for a second time in the UFC. Rousey once again came out as the winner, thereby submitting her opponent through the armbar in the third round. The bout was characterized by a highly charged pre-fight where the two fighters engaged in a verbal onslaught, glaring at each other, and this thrilled the fans.
Impact on the UFC:
The Rousey vs. Tate rivalry played a key role in the creation of women’s MMA in the UFC. These rivalries helped to reveal the ability and demand for female athletes, thereby creating further focus and appreciation for the women’s divisions. The constant pressure from Rousey and the ability to survive it from Tate both played a large part in the progression of the sport.
These battles have not only shaped the careers of the fighters but also the UFC entity and its eventual acceptance into mainstream society. They have added passion, intensity, and personality to what is often a very serious and technical sport to watch and have given fans memories that they will never forget. Of course, as time goes on, new enmities will rise, but the battles described above will remain in the annals of MMA history as the key moments on the way to the UFC’s rise to the level of a truly international organization.
