UFC’s Greatest Upsets: When the Underdog Triumphed

It is highly possible to say that the UFC, being an organization with a penchant more than any other for producing some of the most high-octane entertainment and shocking moments in all of sports history, period-wise, scripted or unscripted, has seen quite many upsets on its tables, leaving people across all latitudes shattered. These are dramatic swings, the kind that shift not just fighters’s fortunes but also highlight the chaotic landscape in mixed martial arts. In revisiting some of the biggest upsets and most improbable wins, spanning over 25 years worth of events since its inception in 1993, we bring a unique light to the spirit competition that inspires us all through fighting as well as showcase an underdog quality that inspired fighters who came out on top where no one expected them to, changing not just history but our perspective. The biggest upsets in UFC history:

1. Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre (UFC 69)
   The year 2007 will forever be remembered as the one in which the UFC created what remains the biggest upset in MMA history. The champion, Georges St-Pierre (GSP), who was one of the all-time greats and arguably the most dominant fighter in his prime, took on Matt Serra, who opened as an enormous +850 underdog. GSP had the title, and for all intents and purposes, it seemed like no one would take that from him.
   Result: Defying all expectations, Serra delivered a stunning first-round TKO to capture the welterweight title. This victory was a testament to Serra’s striking power and resilience, and it remains a landmark moment in UFC history.
2. Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm (UFC 193)
   When she met Holly Holm in 2015, Ronda Rousey was the UFC women’s bantamweight champion—unbeaten and untouchable. Rousey, who was best known for her relatively short fights and armbar submissions, entered the Holm fight as a huge favorite against the then-ex-boxing champion, making it big in MMA.
   Results: Holm executed the perfect game plan as she outclassed Rousey on the feet with her striking and footwork. Holm landed a head kick in the second round that knocked Rousey out, destroying her title hopes and surprising the UFC community. That one, which changed the course of women’s` MMA and spoke volume for vitality, is a developed and rounded strategy in this sport.

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3. Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva (UFC 162)
   Anderson Silva, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, was on a 10-fight title defense streak when he faced Chris Weidman in 2013. Silva’s striking prowess and elusive style made him a heavy favorite against the relatively unheralded Weidman.
   Result: In a stunning turn of events, Weidman capitalized on Silva’s showboating, landing a left hook that knocked Silva out in the second round. This victory ended Silva’s legendary reign and marked the beginning of Weidman’s championship career.
4. Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes (UFC 269)
   With a 12-fight winning streak and eight straight as the UFC bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes was widely regarded as not only the best female fighter in MMA history but also one of its all-time greats regardless of gender when she squared off against Julianna Peña back in November. A strong challenger, Peña was a heavy underdog.
   Result: Peña was able to weather an early storm from Nunes on the feet and ultimately dominated, unloading a rear-naked choke in Round 2, capturing his first bantamweight title. Fans were thoroughly surprised by this upset, which showcased just how much of a warrior Peña is, making it to the list as one of the most surprising outcomes in recent UFC history.
5. T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Baro (UFC 173)
   Considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters ever at that time with a 32-fight unbeaten streak, Renan Barão entered his bantamweight title defense against T.J. Dillashaw in 2014 on quite an impressive run. Dillashaw, a major underdog, was just expected to be another name on Baro’s hit list.
   Result: Dillashaw, fighting brilliantly and moving better and crisper with his striking as well. It took a while, but he finally secured the victory when he finished Barao in Round 5 via head kicks and punches. Aside from putting an end to Barão´s otherwise tediously dominant reign as champion, this win gave Dillashaw his first real taste of what it meant to be a top contender in the bantamweight division.
6. Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold (UFC 199)
   Michael Bisping stepped in on short notice to face middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in 2016. Rockhold had previously defeated Bisping and was heavily favored to retain his title.
   Result: Bisping shocked the world by finishing Rockhold with punches in Round 1 to win gold at middleweight. Bisping was a long-time underdog but reached the pinnacle of his sport against Rockhold, who, in comparison, entered as an overwhelming favorite due to his skillset.
7. Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 196)
   Back in early 2016, Conor McGregor was undefeated as the UFC featherweight champion and on his way to a shot at lightweight gold when he fought Nate Diaz at welterweight on short notice. Heavy favorite McGregor had a reputation built on knockout power and precision.
   Result: Diaz, on short notice, overcomes an early barrage from McGregor, then taps him out with a rear-naked choke in the second round. This loss set back the momentum of McGregor as well as put Diaz on the map regarding some incredible toughness and skill in what would become another classic UFC moment.
8. Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (UFC 76)
   Rewind to 2007, when former PRIDE champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was expected to dominate Griffin. He made his UFC debut against Ultimate Fighter winner Forrest Griffin as one of the UFC’s top light heavyweights at the time. Shogun was such a huge heavy favorite going into his fight with Griffin; it wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near close.
   Result: With a gritty and relentless performance, Griffin pulled off possibly his most impressive victory in taking young Shogun with timely strikes and clinch work before sinking a rear-naked choke for her submission in round 3. It helped launch his career and his eventual title win.
9. Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk (UFC 217)
   Back in 2017, Joanna Jędrzejczyk was the UFC women’s strawweight champion and undefeated to boot. She looked all but invincible and was known for both her striking skills as well as her dominant performances. Jędrzejczyk entered the fight as a heavy favorite to defend her title.
   Result: Namajunas knocked out Jędrzejczyk in the first round to become Strawweight Champion Shock of the Year. This was a shocker, and not just for the result but also for how easily Namajunas kept her cool and displayed her skills in some tight spots—it represented a change of their strawweight guard.
10. B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar (UFC 112)
    In 2010, B.J. Penn was the UFC’s lightweight champion and still considered one of the top fighters in mixed martial arts when he faced Frankie Edgar. Penn is a massive favorite with elite grappling and striking skills.
    Result: The ever-energetic and wrestling-friendly Frankie Edgar used an intelligent game plan to out-strike Penn over five rounds, coming away with a unanimous decision victory. The win earned him the lightweight title and was one of the sweetest upsets in UFC history, launching Edgar’s championship reign.

The Role That UFC’s Greatest Upsets Play to the Organization

This organization has earned its reputation for presenting fans with edge-of-the-seat, heart-stopping entertainment, incredible athleticism, and, perhaps most infamously, some of the most jaw-dropping upsets in the history of combat sports. These are not only the battles in which the participants struggle for their victory but also the important stages in the development of the organization, increasing its popularity, and creating its history. That is why the UFC’s greatest upsets are of paramount importance to the organization.

Creating unforgettable moments
Upsets are the kind of moments that are easy to remember and that make fans feel a certain way. They are the games that are discussed for years, which are replayed so many times and enter the history of sports. For example, Matt Serra’s win over Georges St-Pierre at UFC 69 was not merely a win; it was a shift, and people love the fact that anything can happen. They are the kind of incidents that can engage the viewer and are typical of what attracts new followers to athletics. This makes them weave a story that anything can happen, and thus every fight is essential to watch.

Building Fighters’ Legacies
The underdog win has the potential to transform the fighters involved into celebrities and summarize the whole course of their careers. Matt Serra over GSP, Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, and Julianna Peña over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 are a few of them. Many of these victories changed the lives of the winners and made them famous, while at the same time motivating thousands of other fighters. This is the story of the underdog who suddenly rises against all odds to beat the champion, a story that is popular in all activities, including sports, hence making these fighters heroes in the eyes of many.

Improving the Randomness Factor and Fun Element in the Game
Another reason why MMA and the UFC have become so popular is their uncertainty. Contrary to other sports, where the probabilities of the final results could be more or less expected in most cases, MMA is unpredictable and complex, which makes any fighter vulnerable to a loss. This inherent unpredictability makes the fans sit on the edge of their seats and makes it to the point that every fight card is capable of surprising the fans. That is the passion that gets people to return, to buy tickets, PPV’s, and tune into the next event.

Gaining media coverage and publicizing the existing storylines
Fights that end in upsets therefore receive a lot of attention not only in MMA circles but also in the mainstream sports media. They give interesting narratives, which media practitioners such as journalists and commentators can analyze, focus on, and report, from the buildup to the fight and its aftermath. The post-upset talks, assessments, and controversies sustain sport attention and post-sport interest and involvement. Upsets are also good for the UFC because they increase the circulation of the sport when it is featured on media outlets, and they also keep the sport relevant in today’s highly saturated market of entertainment.

Maintaining the Meritocratic Character of the Race
Upsets remind the fans of the promotional line of MMA, where fighters are illusioned to have an equal chance of winning irrespective of their rank and experience. This is a fundamental rubric for the UFC because fighters are selected based on their performance, not their popularity or ability to sell merchandise. This meritocratic aspect is one of the key elements in the sport’s pure nature, which in turn makes it a true test of the fighters’ abilities.

Effects on Betting and Fan Interaction
Over the years, upsets have been seen to affect the betting industry and fans so much. That is why the possibility of losing is one of the main attractions of betting on UFC fights, engaging many customers. This in turn boosts fan engagement because the audience is more likely to tune into a fight live if they have a bet on it. This element of surprise entails increased involvement for the fans, which in turn boosts their level of enjoyment.

Conclusion
The biggest upsets in the history of the UFC are not only moments that are surprising, but they can be viewed as the very elements of the UFC. MMA produces memorable moments, develops fighters’ legacies, sustains the sport’s volatility, fuels media interest, encourages achievement-based opportunities, and boosts fan interaction. These are the factors that have made the UFC popular and continue to grow to this day, which makes it one of the most vibrant sports organizations.