Unforgettable UFC Debuts: Fighters Who Made an Immediate Impact

The UFC has witnessed a large number of fighters, and they have had the dream of making a difference in MMA. While some fighters build their way to the top, others make their mark as soon as they step into the octagon, producing unforgettable fights right from their debut in the UFC. Such unforgettable starts usually symbolize the emergence of new titans and legends of the sport. And in this article, we look at fighters who cemented themselves right from the beginning of the tournament.

1.Anderson Silva vs. Chris Leben (UFC Fight Night 5)
Anderson Silva’s UFC debut against Chris Leben on June 28, 2006, is one of the most iconic in MMA history. Silva, who was already famous in the MMA scene, was fighting with Leben, a strong and rather sturdy opponent. Some would say that they were looking forward to watching how Silva would perform in the UFC.

Silva silenced any questions with this performance of a lifetime. He knocked down Leben with very good accuracy and effective punches, and the fight was over in 49 seconds of the first round. This fight introduced Silva and his knockout power, which preceded his great run as the middleweight champion. This was just a build-up to the inevitable Silva reign and a glimpse of what he was capable of.

2.Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir (UFC 81)
Brock Lesnar, who had a wrestling background, winning the NCAA wrestling championship and being a former WWE superstar, joined the UFC, and his first fight was against Frank Mir on February 2, 2008, at the UFC 81. Wrestling to MMA switch by Lesnar was very popular, and fans were excited to watch him inside the octagon.

Lesnar began the fight in advance, took Mir down, and dominated him using his size and wrestling background. However, Mir, a submission specialist, was able to take down this young, hungry fighter, take him to the ground, lock him in a kneebar, and make Lesnar tap in the first round. However, Lesnar’s debut was memorable because of the build-up to the match and the raw talent that he demonstrated. He has since progressed to achieving the UFC heavyweight championship and is thus a part of MMA history.

3.Conor McGregor vs. Marcus Brimage (UFC on Fuel TV 9)
The other brawler is Conor McGregor from Ireland, known for his boastful attitude. He debuted in the UFC on April 6, 2013 against Marcus Brimage. McGregor had already gained popularity in Europe, and thus his entrance into the UFC was expected and welcomed by the fans and the media.

McGregor did not disappoint in the fight; he was spectacular. He kept on using accurate and strong shots that knocked Brimage out of the ring in the first round. That fight, his ability to charismatically stalk his opponent, his striking, and his post-fight interview won the hearts of the fans and started his rapid ascent in the UFC. The debut of McGregor was evident to show the star power and fighting skills that he will be parading for the organization.

4. Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche (UFC 157)
UFC 157 was held on February 23, 2013 and featured Ronda Rousey’s debut, where she became the first woman to fight in the UFC. The first female bantamweight title holder, Rousey, shared the main event with Liz Carmouche, proving herself as a major UFC attraction and the organization’s steady focus on women’s MMA.

Rousey next kept her record of armbar wins in the first round going by tapping out Carmouche in the first round, though she was hurt early in the fight. Her debut not only established her as the leading champion of her weight division but also showed the passion and caliber of women in mixed martial arts. The influence of Rousey as well as the historical performance of the first women’s MMA fight will never be forgotten.

5. Jon Jones vs. Andre Gusmao (UFC 87)
The young talent of Jon Jones, who later entered the list of the best MMA fighters in UFC history, fought for the first time in the organization on August 9, 2008, at UFC 87 against Andre Gusmao. The young Jones was only 21 and, without doubt, he was athletic, creative, and very skilled, which drew much attention from the fans and experts.

Jones took the match through a unanimous decision due to his exciting and unpredictable punching, tackling, and constant change of positions. This show’s preliminary performance or preview signifies what is to come and the genius that characterizes his work. It is for this reason that Jones’ debut is notable for the prospect it gave of a future star and one of the most dominant fighters in the sport.

6. Nurmagomedov Khabib vs. Shalorus Kamal (UFC on FX 1)
Khabib Nurmagomedov, an undefeated Dagestani wrestler, was scheduled to make his UFC debut on January 20, 2012, against Kamal Shalorus. While fans knew that Nurmagomedov was a black belt in wrestling, people were curious to see how he would thrive in the UFC.

Khabib controlled the fight from the start, and after putting pressure on, showing better grappling, and striking throughout the fight, he was able to submit Shalorus in the third round. This fight introduced his ferocious pace and technique, which in the future would make him a champion of champions in the UFC. Nurmagomedov’s debut was a glimpse of the future of the lightweight division if he continues to perform at this level.

7. Cain Velasquez vs. Brad Morris (UFC 83)
Cain Velasquez, a promising heavyweight fighter, entered the UFC on April 19, 2008, in his fight with Brad Morris at UFC 83. His cardio and wrestling were outstanding, and Velasquez was ready to show that on the biggest stage of them all.

Velasquez provided quite an impressive performance to end the fight in the first round with ground and pound on Morris. His work rate, fitness, and striking proved that he is a future champion of the heavyweight division. This fight was a glimpse of what Velasquez has in store for all the other competitors in the UFC.

8. Israel Adesanya vs. Rob Wilkinson (UFC 221)
Israel Adesanya is a kickboxer from New Zealand who joined the UFC on February 11, 2018, by fighting Rob Wilkinson at UFC 221. Adesanya was a notorious striker, and his move to MMA and the UFC was expected to bring a lot of excitement.

Adesanya demonstrated his great stand-up skills and ingenuity in defeating Wilkinson by TKO in the second round. This, coupled with his post-fight interview with the opponent, made him more endearing to the fans. Adesanya’s debut was a statement performance, and that was a sign of things to come: a future middleweight champion and a new star in the UFC.

9. Junior dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum (UFC 90)
A completely unknown Brazilian heavyweight at the time, Junior dos Santos, faced Fabricio Werdum, a very experienced fighter and a ground specialist, at the UFC 90 event on October 25, 2008. Dos Santos was coming into the fight as an underdog, which basically means that he was expected to lose the fight.

Astonishingly, Dos Santos got Werdum down with a knee and then a right uppercut in the first round. This knockout was one of the most memorable in the history of the UFC and instantly made Dos Santos one of the favorites of the organization. His first fight showed that he possesses a powerful punch, and this kid can become the future champion.

10.Georges St-Pierre vs. Karo Parisyan (UFC 46)
One of the all-time great welterweight fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, Georges St-Pierre joined the UFC on January 31, 2004 and fought against Karo Parisyan in the UFC 46 event. St-Pierre, a very talented and versatile fighter, was ready to perform at his best.

St-Pierre defeated the fighter by unanimous decision, highlighting his stand-up, ground, and overall movement. His first fight showcased him as a potential star in the welterweight category with the makings of a champion. This was St-Pierre’s introduction to the big league and marked the start of what would be a hall of fame career for the Canadian fighter.

Conclusion
Over the years, the UFC has witnessed many spectacular moments that can hardly be forgotten by fans of MMA. Some of the best fights in UFC history have been made by fighters making their debuts in the company, and these are some of the fighter debut performances that are remembered today, such as Anderson Silva striking clinic against Chris Leben or Conor McGregor’s knockout of Marcus Brimage. Many of these fighters started as soon as the UFC was formed and played a role in the history and development of the organization. These fights are a part of the history of fans and are memorable as an example of the adrenaline and chaos that MMA brings to the ring.