Anything can, and often does, happen in the sport of mixed martial arts. One of the traits that makes MMA the most exciting sport in the world is the utter unpredictability of the action. With almost anything allowed – punches, kicks, elbows, knees, takedowns, slams, ground and pound, and submissions all in play – trying to
Anything can, and often does, happen in the sport of mixed martial arts.
One of the traits that makes MMA the most exciting sport in the world is the utter unpredictability of the action. With almost anything allowed – punches, kicks, elbows, knees, takedowns, slams, ground and pound, and submissions all in play – trying to foresee exactly how a fight will go is often a fool’s errand.
As such, miraculous comebacks are always a possibility, and happen with much more regularity than in other major sports. Victory is often just one well-placed punch, kick, or takedown away. Because a finish negates any scoring that happened prior, athletes in the Octagon are able to mount sudden and stunning turnarounds, even if they had been on the wrong side of a beating.
Still, there are those that stand above the rest. The latest list from LowKick MMA seeks to pick out the best of the best comebacks in UFC history. And by comeback, we mean within the context of a single fight. A comeback like Dominick Cruz returning from years on the shelf to smoke Takeya Mizugaki will not be considered here. Cruz was never losing that bout. What will be taken into account is how badly the fighter was hurt before snatching the victory and the stakes involved in the contest.
Whether eating a devastating strike and overcoming it, or getting consistently outfought and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, comebacks come in many forms. Continue reading to see our picks for the greatest ones in UFC history. If there are any that we’ve missed, be sure sure to let us know in the comments below!
Rivalries are one of the most pivotal aspects of mixed martial arts (MMA) today. While most of the time these rivalries are a little exaggerated in order to market the fight, once in a blue moon we get a true spectacle that can drag on over the span of three action-packed brawls to end with
Rivalries are one of the most pivotal aspects of mixed martial arts (MMA) today. While most of the time these rivalries are a little exaggerated in order to market the fight, once in a blue moon we get a true spectacle that can drag on over the span of three action-packed brawls to end with a trilogy fight.
Some of these martial artists just flat-out don’t like one another, while others fight for the pure competitive nature that dwells within their body along with a grinding urge to better the man that they have split contests with.
So without further ado, lets take a look at the top 10 trilogies that have been fought out throughout UFC history.
With an endless roster complete with bona fide champions, budding contenders, eager prospects and veterans on the tail end of their careers, the UFC has promoted a vast mix of fights throughout the years. At times, the promotion has avoided making obvious matchups in favor of more lucrative options. Other times, they’ve scrambled to find
With an endless roster complete with bona fide champions, budding contenders, eager prospects and veterans on the tail end of their careers, the UFC has promoted a vast mix of fights throughout the years.
At times, the promotion has avoided making obvious matchups in favor of more lucrative options. Other times, they’ve scrambled to find replacement fighters on just a few weeks, or days, notice.
The UFC has juggled this sometimes erratic scheduling fairly well, but has experienced a few hiccups along the way. These ill-advised occurrences certainly come with the territory, but they don’t make things easier for a promotion aiming to fuse professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and world-class skill into one beautiful entity.
To understand the ups and down of matchmaking at the highest level, we take a closer look at the mistakes that have been. Here are the top 10 worst fight bookings in UFC history.
Rivalries in today’s mixed martial arts (MMA) offer much more than just high-octane action, although that obviously a plus. However, they also offer an insight into the psyche of a professional fighter. In their most vulnerable states, a good old-fashioned rivalry can bring out the best or the worst out in two competitors. But whatever the
Rivalries in today’s mixed martial arts (MMA) offer much more than just high-octane action, although that obviously a plus.
However, they also offer an insight into the psyche of a professional fighter. In their most vulnerable states, a good old-fashioned rivalry can bring out the best or the worst out in two competitors.
But whatever the build-up presents, fans are on the edge of their seats the entire time. Press conferences brawls, reality t.v. clashes, and even the occasional belt stealing, help generate unfathomable appeal. In order to truly appreciate what the feuds of 2016 have to offer, we must first look back at the pioneers of bad blood.
Here are the top 10 best rivalries in the history of the UFC. Enjoy.
The UFC welterweight division has been one of the most consistent classes in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the past 10 years, if not the best. As a middle ground for athleticism, speed, versatility, and finishing power, the 170-pound weight class has offered some of the most exciting championship tilts in promotional history. Not to mention
The UFC welterweight division has been one of the most consistent classes in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the past 10 years, if not the best.
As a middle ground for athleticism, speed, versatility, and finishing power, the 170-pound weight class has offered some of the most exciting championship tilts in promotional history. Not to mention legendary fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Matt Hughes, and B.J. Penn.
But as today’s sport continues to evolve, so does the welterweight appeal. From a tumultuous Robbie Lawler to striking aficionado Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, from a resurgent Carlos Condit to an overpowering Tyron Woodley, it’s starting to look like the division will produce even more title fight fireworks in the near future.
However, in order to appreciate what we might see from the current group of core contenders, we must first look back on the timeless battles of the past. Ones that created Octagon gods, crippled legends, and celebrated perfected violence.
Here are the eight best welterweight championship fights in UFC history.
(Tim Sylvia, in his bantamweight debut. / Photo via Getty)
UFC 182 was certainly the talk of the town this weekend, yet we couldn’t help but notice a former UFC Heavyweight Champion call it a day after going on an Arby’s world tour to train for his most recent bout.
According to The Underground, Maine’s own Tim Sylvia retired yesterday, shortly after his super-heavyweight fight against Juliano “Banana” Coutinho at Reality Fighting 53 was cancelled. Sylvia, who was planning on entering the battlefield at a whopping 371 pounds, was not cleared to fight by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT., and thank the good Lord for that.
However, manager Monte Cox confirmed on Facebook there was a problem with his pre-fight MRI, and the bout was cancelled due to other issues apart from his weight. Nevertheless, the face-off picture of a bloated Timmeh surfaced on social media and MMA sites around the world, and that was enough for its experts to stare at it without blinking for the whole duration of the UFC 182 main card (except for the main event, of course).
(Tim Sylvia, in his bantamweight debut. / Photo via Getty)
UFC 182 was certainly the talk of the town this weekend, yet we couldn’t help but notice a former UFC Heavyweight Champion call it a day after going on an Arby’s world tour to train for his most recent bout.
According to The Underground, Maine’s own Tim Sylvia retired yesterday, shortly after his super-heavyweight fight against Juliano “Banana” Coutinho at Reality Fighting 53 was cancelled. Sylvia, who was planning on entering the battlefield at a whopping 371 pounds, was not cleared to fight by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT., and thank the good Lord for that.
However, manager Monte Cox confirmed on Facebook there was a problem with his pre-fight MRI, and the bout was cancelled due to other issues apart from his weight. Nevertheless, the face-off picture of a bloated Timmeh surfaced on social media and MMA sites around the world, and that was enough for its experts to stare at it without blinking for the whole duration of the UFC 182 main card (except for the main event, of course).
On the tail end of a three-fight losing streak, last night would have been the 42nd time Sylvia competed in a professional MMA contest. As one of the proud Miletech boys fighting out of Bettendorf, IA., Sylvia made his debut at UFC 39, earning a TKO stoppage over Wesley “Cabbage” Correira. He would go on to win the heavyweight strap in his next fight, knocking out Ricco Rodriguez in one round at UFC 41. However, a failed post-fight drug test saw him stripped of the title after his win over Gan McGee at UFC 44.
After his arm was snapped like a wishbone courtesy of Frank Mir at UFC 48 for the vacant heavyweight title, Sylvia would lose to arch rival Andrei Arlovski shortly after, being his second unsuccessful attempt at claiming back his gold. After winning three fights in a row, “The Maine-iac” bested “The Pit Bull” to win back his title at UFC 59, and went up 2-1 in their rubber match at UFC 61. Considering their heavyweight trilogy was part of the UFC’s dark days, most fans will remember Sylvia’s title reign for the amount of times he showed up to the arena as a spectator with the belt around his waist, not to mention walking into restaurants with it on as he accompanied Matt Hughes to umpteen dosages of fried foods on UFC All Access.
Sylvia would eventually lose the belt to Randy Couture at UFC 68, and despite numerous title fights in the UFC, his loss against Pride champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira would be his last one, and ultimately, his final fight inside the Octagon.
Hell, he even tried to get back into the UFC not long ago, but it wasn’t going to happen as long as UFC head honcho Dana White was pulling the strings, even though he’s still tied for most successful heavyweight title defenses.
We bid you adieu, Mr. Sylvia … but for God’s sake, lose some weight.
