10 Greatest Rivalries in UFC History

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier//Getty Images

Fights:

• UFC 182 (Jones def. Cormier by unanimous decision)
• UFC 214 (Jones def. Cormier by KO, later overturned to NC due to Jones’ failed drug test)

Rivalry Highlights:

One of the most heated rivalries in UFC history which featured intense trash talk, physical altercations, and a deep personal feud which many fans believe Cormier still holds today, even when commentating on Jones’ fights.

Jon Jones’ dominance over Cormier hindered DC’s legendary career because he himself had a great chance to go down as the best light-heavyweight in UFC history, if it wasn't for Jones.

One of the biggest flashpoints of their feud came when they had a brawl at a press conference before their first bout. Both men came face to face and some words were said before Jones attempted to elbow Cormier on the stage before security and police broke it up. Both men were fined by the commission and were ordered to do community service.

Conor McGregor is separated from Khabib Nurmagomedov//Getty Images

Fights:

• UFC 229 (Khabib def. McGregor by submission)

Rivalry Highlights:

UFC 229 became the biggest PPV in MMA history (2.4M buys) because of the intense rivalry between the main event, Khabib vs McGregor.

The rivalry turned personal, with McGregor attacking Khabib’s religion and family, leading to the infamous bus incident. The verbal onslaught continued all throughout the fight's build-up, but it was only the Russian talking in the cage during the fight as he brutalised the Irishman.

After Khabib submitted McGregor, Khabib then jumped over the cage and flying kicked a member of McGregor's team in the crowd, starting a mass brawl at cageside.

Fights:

• UFC 117 (Silva def. Sonnen by submission in final round)
• UFC 148 (Silva def. Sonnen by TKO)

Rivalry Highlights:

Chael Sonnen’s trash talk made him the ultimate heel against the seemingly unbeatable Anderson Silva. Sonnen's attempt to get inside the Brazilian's head clearly failed as the “Spider” finished him brutally in both bouts.

Their first fight was one of the most dramatic fights and feuds in UFC history, with Sonnen dominating for 23 minutes before being submitted in the final few moments of the fight. 

Fights: 

• UFC 47 (Liddell def. Ortiz by TKO)
• UFC 66 (Liddell def. Ortiz by TKO)

Rivalry Highlights:

Believe it or not, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell were once friends. But it very quickly became sour, and their rivalry defined the early UFC light heavyweight division in the early 2000s.

Liddell’s knockout victories cemented his status as the division’s king and put an exclamation mark on the rivalry.

The pair did face off in a trilogy in 2018, where Ortiz won via knockout, however, both men were way over the hill and many fans chose not to watch because they shouldn't have been fighting late into their 40's.

Fights: 

• Strikeforce: Rousey def. Tate by armbar
• UFC 168: Rousey def. Tate by armbar

Rivalry Highlights:

Ronda Rousey’s dominance and brash personality clashed with Miesha Tate way back in 2012. Both fighters had a decent following at the time, but Rousey’s victory in the first fight propelled her reputation, and she eventually was signed by the UFC.

A year after their first fight, the pair met in the UFC, but Rousey once again showed her Judo and submission skills.

Rousey's dominance helped to elevate women’s MMA in the UFC, becoming the first mainstream female MMA superstar, and if it wasn't for her, the newer generation fighters such as Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko may not have ever had a chance to sign for the UFC.

Fights:

• WEC 26: Faber def. Cruz by submission
• UFC 132: Cruz def. Faber by decision
• UFC 199: Cruz def. Faber by decision

Rivalry Highlights:

Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber was the classic striker vs. grappler rivalry in the lighter weight classes. This feud really did put the spotlight on the lower weight divisions in a time where most MMA fans loved big heavyweights slugging it out over finesse and flashy skill.

Cruz’s cerebral trash talk was almost symmetrical to his cerebral way of fighting. Faber earned the bragging rights in the first fight, but “The Dominator” was able to turn things around and come out on top in the trilogy by using his unique footwork and attack patterns which were almost unreadable.

Fights: 

• UFC 196 (Diaz def. McGregor by submission)
• UFC 202 (McGregor def. Diaz by decision)

Rivalry Highlights:

Nate Diaz shocked the world by submitting Conor McGregor on short notice at UFC 196. After standing and banging, the American tagged McGregor with a huge punch which forced the Irishman to panic shoot for a takedown. Diaz read this and sprawled, before taking his back and choking him out.

The victory in the first fight led to Nate Diaz becoming a superstar in the sport.

Looking to right the wrongs from the first fight, McGregor eventually won via close decision in their rematch, which is still regarded one of the best fights in UFC history.

Fights:

• UFC 58 (GSP def. Penn by split decision)
• UFC 94 (GSP def. Penn by TKO)

Rivalry Highlights:

Georges St-Pierre vs B.J Penn was a battle between two of the greatest MMA technicians the sport has ever seen. The first fight was extremely close, even though Penn was fluctuating in weight before this bout. Nevertheless, he held his own and arguably should've had his hand raised. 

A few years later, the two would meet again and GSP dominated their rematch, forcing Penn’s corner to stop the fight. However, this again, like the first fight, was largely controversial. The Canadian was seen in between rounds having members of his team rub vaseline all over his shoulders, arms and torso, in order to make his skin slippy. 

This gave Penn a huge disadvantage because he was unable to grip GSP during grappling exchanges. By rule, this should have actually led to a disqualification because applying things like oils or vaseline anywhere other than the face, is illegal in MMA.

Fights:

• UFC 217 (Dillashaw def. Garbrandt by KO)
• UFC 227 (Dillashaw def. Garbrandt by TKO)

Rivalry Highlights:

TJ Dillashaw vs Cody Garbrandt was one of the most exciting feuds in recent UFC history due to their intense rivalry. They were former teammates and good friends, to the point where their families were even friends. However, they soon turned bitter enemies.

Originally both under the same team, Team Alpha, coached by MMA legend Urijah Faber, Dillashaw would leave the team which made Garbrandt and many other members of Team Alpha feel betrayed.

However, Dillashaw did not care and his back-to-back wins shattered Garbrandt’s career momentum, and he went from 11-0, to 11-3 very quickly after the feud with Dillashaw.