(Editor’s note: This story first was published June 1, 2023. Some information may have been updated.)
Whether we’re talking about mainstream sports, combat sports or sports entertainment, the spectacle of large athletes long has been a promotional tool to help draw in casual crowds and create almost larger-than-life standards that helped set the bar to where it is today.
It’s why “the baddest man on the planet” is determined within the heavyweight division and why title fights on cards are typically prioritized from largest to smallest – unless there’s an outlier like Conor McGregor on the card, of course.
The unfortunate byproduct of this traditional format, however, is that lighter-weight fighters, who typically are more technical and arguably more entertaining, often get under-appreciated and sometimes lost in the shuffle.
In fact, the UFC historically has struggled with whichever division falls on the bottom of its proverbial totem pole. Whether we’re talking about the UFC’s three failed attempts to establish its lightweight division, which now is one of the deepest divisions going on two decades, or its self-induced flyweight purge that started around 2018, the organization has not exactly handled these divisions with care.
At UFC 310, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja takes on a brand new challenger in promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura. Pantoja has two title defenses under his belt, and his next challenge will be a new face to the UFC audience, who has never made the flyweight limit before. Asakura has the chance to become an instant global star, but will he be able to handle the pressure?
Until we know, take a look back at this first decade of flyweight affairs under the UFC banner and my top five.
Without further ado …
5
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji, UFC on ABC 3 (July 16, 2022)
The UFC matchmakers of today don’t often allow lighter-weight fighters to open up their main cards, but men’s flyweight always seems to deliver when given ample opportunity.
This fight between Matt Schnell and Su Mudaerji, for one, was something that I’m not sure the ABC Sports audience was ready for that Saturday afternoon.
The first round was fairly standard for a flyweight affair – though it did feature Mudaerji countering Schnell’s omoplata attempt with a sweet sidewalk slam that would’ve made Kevin Nash proud.
The second round, however, was an unforgettable storm that Schnell sailed right into.
Despite Schnell’s chin failing him at times throughout his career, the Fortis MMA product valiantly marched through a hellfire of left hands and checking elbows in order to stage one of the craziest rallies of 2022 (with a finishing scene that gives me flashbacks to Jim Miller’s win over Yancy Medeiros).
In case you missed this unbelievable rally in the UFC yesterday
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji pic.twitter.com/MOs6ZrQpCZ
— The Barber’s Chair Network, LLC (@BarbersChairNet) July 17, 2022
4
Louis Smolka vs. Paddy Holohan, UFC Fight Night 76 (Oct. 24, 2015)
Coming in at the No. 4 spot is an impromptu flyweight headliner between Louis Smolka and Paddy Holohan that took place in Dublin’s 3Arena.
The card was initially supposed to be headlined by a lightweight bout between Joe Duffy and Dustin Poirier, but a string of unfortunate circumstances led to a surprising spotlight on the flyweight division.
Smolka and Holohan – who are both long and lanky for the weight class – ended up spending the majority of this fight engaging in some of the most entertaining scrambles you’ll see from fighters not named Tim Elliott or Joseph Benavidez. That said, Smolka’s propensity to surrender small battles in order to win the bigger ones ends up paying off for him here.
Even though Smolka spoiled the proverbial homecoming, the Irish crowd still gave the Hawaiian his flowers as they picked up their man on the way out.
E Louis Smolka devasta Paddy Holohan nel R3 mettendo a tacere tutto il pubblico irlandese. Wow. #UFCsuFOX #UFCDublin pic.twitter.com/Urf3d0VoWz
— Al Zullino (@phre) October 26, 2015
3
Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson 1, UFC on FOX 6 (Jan. 26, 2013)
Considering I’ve already recently anointed Johnson’s first fight with [autotag]John Dodson[/autoag] as my favorite from the pound-for-pound king’s catalog in my top 10 fights that aired on big FOX, I’ll spare you with any long-winded redundancy here.
That said, if you’re a fan of pressuring performances, clinch work or comebacks, then I highly suggest going back to rewatch this fun five-round affair.
Aside from the action still aging well, it’s arguably when Johnson starts to really string his game together while displaying an almost unmatched symbiotic nature with his coaches and corner.
If any of you can tell me how DJ survived this, please let me know because Dodson teleported out of nowhere here and caught him as DJ stood square with a full power hook. pic.twitter.com/RXGHgGLMl8
— Dan A. (@TypewritingDA) April 7, 2020
2
Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2, UFC 290 (July 8, 2023)
Despite tending to overcorrect the steeringwheel away from recency bias on these lists, there’s no way that I couldn’t make room for Brandon Moreno’s rematch with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290.
Although this was technically their third meeting, the first encounter officially went down as an exhibition bout given that it took place on The Ultimate Fighter. Pantoja may have been entering this fight as the challenger, but the Brazilian quietly carried a 2-0 lead in their series.
That standing, however, was looking to be cut short by Moreno after Pantoja seemingly emptied his tank trying to finish the Mexican champion in the first frame. But after somehow surviving the second, Pantoja was able to dig deep and match Moreno’s energy down the stretch.
Brandon Moreno vs Pantoja 2 – Fight Preview UFC 290 pic.twitter.com/1fJ9TjhfYa
— GIX MMA (@gixMMA) July 11, 2023
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Not only was this an incredible fight that showcased high-level MMA in practically every phase, but it was also one of the more emotion-filled matches that come to my memory in the sense that you could see the battle that each combatant was having within themselves.
This, of course, was personified in Pantoja’s post-fight speech, where he revealed the childhood trauma and abandonment that fueled him to take this incredibly tough road to the top.
“You proud of me now, Dad?”
This is so deep man. Not many people noticed or took time to understand.
Pantoja asks his father who left him & his mother years ago with nothing, “You proud of me now dad?!” pic.twitter.com/eLvHc5qd4k
— Kota (@kotamarrello) July 9, 2023
1
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot, UFC on FOX 3 (May 5, 2012)
Whenever I put together fun lists like these, I try and emphasize that these are simply my top five fights and it’s OK to have a different set that reflects your tastes.
However, in spite of my self-admitted hipster sensibilities, I still find myself being drawn to one of the UFC’s first flyweight attractions when it comes to deciding the top spot on my list.
Although it wasn’t the most technical and there were no titles on the line, John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot was essentially flyweight’s version of the first Jung-Garcia (or Bonnar-Griffin from before it).
The power that Lineker brings with his vicious body punching was palpable through the broadcast, flipping over whatever smaller-man stereotypes we may have held prior.
Guadinot, on the other hand, was more than happy to exchange and counter, making a solid account of what was to come from future Tiger Schulmann fighters.
There are plenty of fights that are more than justifiable to have ahead of this one on your list, but very few fights make me feel the way this one does.
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot pic.twitter.com/16v0kpl3go
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) May 29, 2023
*Honorable mentions: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 1 at UFC 256; Brandon Royval vs. Kai Kara-France at UFC 253; Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo at TUF 24 Finale; Alexandre Pantoja vs. Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 240; Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2 at UFC 227.
