Biggest UFC Upsets

The UFC is known for its unpredictability. Even the most dominant champions can fall when least expected. Over the years, fans have witnessed some of the biggest UFC upsets in history – shocking moments when underdogs achieved unexpected MMA victories. These fights remind us that in mixed martial arts, no outcome is guaranteed. In this article, we explore a range of shocking UFC upsets, from famous title fight shockers to notable underdog wins that stunned the world.

Shocking UFC Upsets: Unexpected MMA Victories

One of the biggest UFC upsets ever occurred at UFC 69 in 2007. Matt Serra entered as a massive underdog against welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (GSP). Serra had earned his title shot through a reality show and few gave him a chance. In a stunning turn of events, he knocked out GSP in the first round​. Fans were astonished – GSP was a 13-1 favorite heading into the bout​, yet the underdog prevailed. This shocking UFC upset shook the sport and is often cited as **the greatest upset in UFC history】​. It was a true example of an unexpected MMA victory that proved “anything can happen” in the octagon.

Serra’s win was not an isolated case. Time and again, underdogs have risen to seize victory in spectacular fashion. These surprise outcomes not only defy the odds but also create some of the most memorable moments in UFC history.

Underdog Wins in UFC History: Surprise Outcomes

Many underdog wins in UFC history have left spectators in disbelief. Here are a few famous upset fights where the favorites fell in surprise outcomes:

• Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey (UFC 193, 2015): Rousey was an undefeated superstar, heavily favored to win. Holm, a former boxing champion, executed a perfect game plan. She dominated the fight and finished Rousey with a head-kick knockout in round two​. Holm was a 12-1 underdog, and her stunning victory is considered one of MMA’s most **shocking UFC upsets】​. This unexpected MMA victory ended Rousey’s reign and shocked the sports world.
• TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao (UFC 173, 2014): Barao was riding a 32-fight unbeaten streak and was the bantamweight champion. Dillashaw, a young challenger, was not expected to win against such a dominant opponent. Instead, Dillashaw put on a masterful performance, outclassing Barao and winning by TKO in the fifth round. By betting odds, this ranks among the biggest UFC upsets ever – Dillashaw closed as roughly a +710 underdog​. His win showed that even a seemingly invincible champion can be beaten by a hungry underdog.
• Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 196, 2016): McGregor was a global superstar and the featherweight champion moving up in weight, expected to dispatch Diaz. Diaz took the fight on short notice and was widely seen as an underdog. In a stunning result, Diaz weathered McGregor’s early attacks and then turned the tables. He rocked McGregor with punches and finished the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round. This upset was a surprise MMA outcome that derailed McGregor’s hype train and proved Diaz’s resilience. Fans remember it as a famous underdog win that showcased the unpredictability of the sport.

Each of these fights is remembered for its shock value. They highlight how an underdog’s skill and determination can produce a surprise outcome against even the most dominant favorite. Such bouts keep fans on the edge of their seats, never knowing when the next big upset will happen.

Historic UFC Upsets and Notable Underdog Fights

Some historic UFC upsets stand out as turning points in MMA history. In 2007, the same year as Serra’s miracle win, another Pride legend made his UFC debut with high expectations. Maurício “Shogun” Rua, then considered the top light heavyweight in the world, faced Forrest Griffin at UFC 76. Griffin didn’t get the memo about Rua’s reputation – he not only beat the favored Rua, he dominated him and sealed the win with a late submission. This notable underdog fight propelled Griffin toward a championship and proved that reputations don’t win fights.

That same year, at UFC 70, Croatian kickboxer Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović was a huge favorite against Gabriel Gonzaga in a heavyweight bout. Gonzaga shocked everyone by knocking out Cro Cop with a head kick – using Cro Cop’s own signature technique against him. It was a historic upset that left the audience in silence as the unlikely victor emerged.

Even outside of title fights, there have been plenty of famous upset fights. The bout between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor mentioned earlier is one such example from 2016, showing that even non-championship fights can produce unbelievable outcomes. Another example is Frankie Edgar’s win over BJ Penn in 2010 – Edgar was nearly an 8-1 underdog, yet he outworked the legendary Penn to claim the lightweight title​. Each era of the UFC has seen underdogs rise to the occasion, creating historic moments that fans talk about for years.

Famous Upset Fights and Unlikely MMA Champions

Some of the biggest UFC upsets have crowned unlikely MMA champions. These are fights where a challenger not only won as an underdog, but also walked away with a UFC title belt in a historic upset. One of the most notable is Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in 2016. Bisping, a veteran fighter who had never fought for a title before, took the fight on just 17 days’ notice. Rockhold was the reigning middleweight champion and had already beaten Bisping once decisively. In a fairy-tale outcome, Bisping knocked out Rockhold in the first round, achieving a stunning upset and finally becoming champion after a decade in the UFC. It was a famous upset fight that completed Bisping’s journey from perennial underdog to champion.

Women’s title fights have also produced unlikely MMA champions through upsets. In 2015, Holly Holm’s triumph over Ronda Rousey (as discussed) made her an overnight star. In 2017, Rose Namajunas faced dominant strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Joanna was unbeaten in the UFC and widely considered the best in her division. Rose entered as a significant underdog and shocked everyone by knocking Joanna out in the first round to claim the title. Rose’s calm mindset and precise striking led to a quick finish, making her an unlikely champion who had defied the odds.

More recently, at UFC 269 in late 2021, Julianna Peña pulled off a massive upset against Amanda Nunes. Nunes was a two-division champion on a 12-fight win streak, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter ever​. Peña was tough but few expected her to win. In the fight, Peña utilized relentless pressure and cardio to wear down Nunes. She secured a rear-naked choke in the second round, forcing Nunes to tap out. This victory was “one of the biggest upsets in UFC history”​ and it made Julianna Peña the new bantamweight champion against all odds.

Upsets continue to happen even in recent title fights. In 2023, Sean Strickland scored a shocking upset over middleweight king Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Strickland was a heavy underdog and few believed he could handle Adesanya’s striking. Yet Strickland put on a disciplined performance, outboxing Adesanya over five rounds to win a unanimous decision and the middleweight championship. This result was another reminder that no champion is invincible – a truly surprise MMA outcome that stunned fans and experts alike.

Conclusion

From Matt Serra’s punch heard ’round the world to Julianna Peña’s inspiring title win, the biggest UFC upsets have provided some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments. These fights underscore the excitement of MMA: an underdog’s skill, heart, and determination can rewrite history on any given night. Fans cherish these upsets because they showcase the unpredictable drama of competition. In the UFC, the odds might favor one fighter, but the outcome is decided in the cage – and as these historic examples prove, notable underdog fights and unexpected MMA victories will continue to captivate us. The next time a fighter is declared a heavy favorite, remember that the stage might just be set for the next big UFC upset.

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