Top 10 - UFC's Biggest Matches
The MMA organization UFC has, thanks to its unique way of promoting fighters, managed to grow immensely. A common thread that is easy to detect when looking at the organization's biggest stars is that the majority of them are very skilled at attracting audiences through conflict and "trash talk," something that, with the right dance partner, can lead to internationally gigantic fights that millions of people are willing to pay to watch live. This is also the criterion for this list (Pay Per View).
10. UFC 194: Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor
1,200,000 PPV Buys
When this match took place, in December 2015, both the UFC itself and all fans saw the potential in the charming Irishman Conor McGregor. On the other hand, Jose Aldo had been the featherweight champion for as long as the division had existed and was seen as the ultimate test to find out how good McGregor really was. However, the match didn't last long, and McGregor entered the history books by winning the match by knockout in just 13 seconds.
9. UFC 251: Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal
1,300,000 PPV Buys
UFC 251 gave fans a match between the incredibly dominant welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and the brash, originally street-fighting Jorge Masvidal. Usman proved, as experts predicted, to be too skilled and defeated Masvidal in a unanimous decision after five rounds. He also won their rematch, which took place during UFC 261.
8. UFC 205: Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor
1,300,000 PPV Buys
This time, McGregor had moved up a weight class and challenged lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in hopes of becoming the first fighter in UFC history to be a champion in two weight classes simultaneously. McGregor succeeded in winning by knockout in the second round, making history as UFC's golden boy, a fact that will be evident in this list.
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7. UFC 246: Donald Cerrone vs Conor McGregor
1,350,000 PPV Buys
In McGregor's comeback match against "Cowboy" Cerrone, the Irishman had been questioned and had become an even bigger star after his defeat to Nurmagomedov. However, the former double champion proved to be dominant with an old-school McGregor victory in the first round of the match.
6. UFC 196: Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz
1,500,000 PPV Buys
Just a few months after his title fight against Jose Aldo, McGregor was ready to face Nate Diaz, this time two weight classes above featherweight. McGregor's cardio and the unnatural weight class, combined with Diaz's phenomenal Jiu-Jitsu, led to his first loss in his UFC career when he was choked out in the second round.
5. UFC 100: Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir 2
1,600,000 PPV Buys
UFC 100 was, at that time, the organization's biggest event, featuring wrestling star Brock Lesnar, who had much to prove after his first loss to Frank Mir. Lesnar won this fight by knockout in the second round, continuing his career as one of UFC's biggest stars ever.
4. UFC 257: Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 2
1,600,000 PPV Buys
In this highly anticipated rematch, McGregor sought to be as dominant as in the previous meeting, while Dustin Poirier, who had been active and developed as a practitioner, needed to prove himself. Poirier won the match in the second round, and immediately after the match, McGregor demanded a third match.
3. UFC 202: Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 2
1,650,000 PPV Buys
After McGregor's first loss to the American, it was clear that there would be a rematch between the two, and once again, the event was a huge success. This time, McGregor won the match by unanimous decision after five rounds of pure warfare. Both UFC President Dana White and Conor McGregor have talked about a third match between the two, but it is still unclear if it will happen.
2. UFC 264: Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3
1,800,000 PPV Buys
The third match between the two rivals ended in chaos after McGregor broke his foot in the very matchup where he had the most to prove. This was a significant disappointment for all fans who expected a highly entertaining and decisive match between the rivals.
1. UFC 229: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor
2,400,000 PPV Buys
In the undoubtedly most charged match in MMA history, McGregor faced the undefeated and dominant lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In the buildup to this match, McGregor was among other controversial things arrested for a violent attack on a bus carrying Khabib. All the conflict led to a highly anticipated match, which the Russian won by submission after a neck crank.