Breaking Down the Biggest Upsets in UFC Championship Fights

Biggest Upsets in UFC Championship History

UFC title fights are a test of skill, heart, and athleticism in mixed martial arts. But this sport is unpredictable and there are quite a few upsets that shock everyone and leave the fans in a heavy state of disbelief. Many of these match-ups are prime examples of career-altering victories that changed division trajectories and have gone down in UFC history.

Serra vs. St-Pierre

One of the biggest upsets of all time came at UFC 69, when the huge underdog Matt Serra challenged the dominant welterweight king Georges St-Pierre. In came Serra, who won The Ultimate Fighter 4 and was given little chance against St-Pierre, a man many had perceived as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Yet the aggression and punches from Serra overwhelmed St-Pierre with a first-round KO, which remains one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.  

Weidman vs. Silva

The second occurred at UFC 162 when Chris Weidman took the middleweight crown from Anderson Silva. Silva, who was considered by many to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, earned a reputation for having some of the most unorthodox striking and fastest reflexes in the sport. Weidman, who possesses a strong wrestling background and an evolving striking skillset, was considered a dangerous opponent but a big underdog. Weidman halted Silva’s lengthy championship reign when he knocked him out in the second round. This changed the direction of the middleweight division. 

Holm vs. Rousey

Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey to pull off one of the biggest upsets in bantamweight history as the undefeated champion defended her title at UFC 193. Rousey’s near-invincible presence made her a heavy favourite. Still, Holm, a professional boxer, used her striking skills to keep Rousey back. Before a stinging head kick knockout in Round 2, Holm’s precise strikes and footwork frustrated Rousey. Not only did this win dethrone Rousey, but it also indicated a shift in women’s MMA.

Strickland vs. Adesanya

Sean Stricklands win against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 is a recent example. With Adesanya being an elite-level striker, many believed he would walk away from the fight still champion. Still, Strickland emerged victorious via a unanimous decision by implementing pressure, defending effectively, and landing clean strikes. This win highlighted the unpredictable game of MMA, where new styles suddenly surface at the top, and hard-working fighters turn the tide at the highest levels.

Other Notable Upsets

T.J. Dillashaw’s victory over Renan Barão, Miesha Tate’s upset of Holly Holm, and Julianna Peña’s win over Amanda Nunes are other significant upsets in UFC title fights. These matches illustrate that the most dominant of champions can be susceptible and that underdogs have proven they can come out on top with the proper game plan, skill set, and belief in themselves. 

Final Words

These upsets are a stark reminder that anything can happen in mixed martial arts when two fighters meet in the Octagon. It is never easy to predict who will win the battle in these high-stakes matchups.