Saying anything is “the best” usually is subjective, and when it comes to MMA, opinions typically are all over the map.
But the UFC released a compilation video of some of the best rounds in its history, and it’s safe to assume no one is going to argue much about any of the fights that are included in it.
There are all-time classics, like Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar, Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald and Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson, but also new classics like Max Holloway’s insane “BMF” win over Justin Gaethje.
Basically, it’s hard to go wrong with nearly two straight hours of rounds from 18 fights that will stand the test of time.
Check them out in the video above, and go inside the included fights below.
Charles Oliveira def. Dustin Poirier
Event: UFC 269
Round: 1
Result: Charles Oliveira def. Dustin Poirier via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:02
Notes: Oliveira defended the lightweight title; Performance of the Night for Oliveira.
Video timestamp: Start
Merab Dvalishvili def. Marlon Moraes
Event: UFC 266
Round: 1
Result: Merab Dvalishvili def. Marlon Moraes via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:25
Notes: Performance of the Night for Dvalishvili – the only bonus in his current 11-fight winning streak that culminated with the bantamweight title.
Video timestamp: 6:19
Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero
Event: UFC 241
Round: 1
Result: Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Notes: Fight of the Night winner in Anaheim, Calif.
Video timestamp: 11:37
Nick Diaz def. Paul Daley
Event: Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley
Round: 1
Result: Nick Diaz def. Paul Daley via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:57
Notes: Diaz defended the Strikeforce welterweight title.
Video timestamp: 19:39
Tony Ferguson def. Anthony Pettis
Event: UFC 229
Round: 2
Result: Tony Ferguson def. Anthony Pettis via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Notes: Fight of the Night winner – and Ferguson’s seventh bonus in seven fights.
Video timestamp: 26:47
Dustin Poirier def. Dan Hooker
Event: UFC on ESPN 12
Round: 2
Result: Dustin Poirier def. Dan Hooker via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46)
Notes: Fight of the Night in main event.
Video timestamp: 35:41
Don Frye def. Yoshihiro Takayama
Event: PRIDE 21
Round: 1
Result: Don Frye def. Yoshihiro Takayama via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 6:10
Notes: The consensus 2002 Fight of the Year winner.
Video timestamp: 41:47
Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler
Event: UFC 268
Round: 1
Result: Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Notes: Fight of the Night; MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Year for 2021.
Video timestamp: 50:39
Drew Dober def. Terrance McKinney
Event: UFC Fight Night 203
Round: 1
Result: Drew Dober def. Terrance McKinney via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 1, 3:17
Notes: Dober snapped a two-fight skid and got a knockout in a win for the fourth straight time – a streak that is at seven through September 2024.
Video timestamp: 56:55
Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje
Event: UFC 300
Round: 5
Result: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje via knockout (punch) – Round 5, 4:59
Notes: Gaethje lost the “BMF” belt to Holloway; instant classic that featured Holloway pointing to the canvas and urging Gaethje to throw down for the final 10 seconds, then a one-punch KO with one second left; Fight of the Night.
Video timestamp: 1:01:47
Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler
Event: UFC 281
Round: 1
Result: Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:00
Notes: Fight of the Night winner at Madison Square Garden.
Video timestamp: 1:08:58
Forrest Griffin def. Stephan Bonnar
Event: TUF 1 Finale
Round: 2
Result: Forrest Griffin def. Stephan Bonnar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Notes: Long thought to be the catalyst that put the UFC onto the mainstream map; Griffin won the light heavyweight season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Video timestamp: 1:15:33
Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald
Event: UFC 189
Round: 4
Result: Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 1:00
Notes: Lawler defended the welterweight title in a rematch; one of the bloodiest fights in UFC history; Fight of the Night, and consensus Fight of the Year.
Video timestamp: 1:21:30
Justin Gaethje def. Michael Johnson
Event: TUF 25 Finale
Round: 1
Result: Justin Gaethje def. Michael Johnson via TKO (punches, knees) – Round 2, 4:48
Notes: Gaethje’s UFC debut after unbeaten run as WSOF lightweight champion; Gaethje won Performance of the Night as well as Fight of the Night.
Video timestamp: 1:27:24
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Conor McGregor
Event: UFC 229
Round: 2
Result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Conor McGregor via submission (neck crank) – Round 4, 3:03
Notes: Nurmagomedov defended the lightweight title, then set off a post-fight melee that got him, McGregor and others suspended; perhaps the most infamous fight in UFC history.
Video timestamp: 1:33:19
Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum
Event: UFC 236
Round: 5
Result: Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46)
Notes: Adesanya won the interim middleweight title; Fight of the Night winner in Atlanta.
Video timestamp: 1:39:33
Alexander Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega
Event: UFC 266
Round: 3
Result: Alexander Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-44)
Notes: Dominant performance from Volkanovski to defend the featherweight title; Fight of the Night winner.
Video timestamp: 1:46:31
Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson
Event: UFC 165
Round: 4
Result: Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Notes: Jones defended the light heavyweight title for a UFC record sixth straight time; Fight of the Night winner; consensus Fight of the Year winner.
Video timestamp: 1:52:10
