Must watch fights from the last 10 years

BY MARCEL MARIAK

Lawler v McDonald 2 – UFC

Welter weights Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald stepped into the cage for a highly anticipated rematch in July of 2015. With Lawler having defeated MacDonald in their previous fight, and defending his Welterweight belt, tensions were sky high. Both fighters were determined to reign supreme, resulting in one of the bloodiest and most brutal fights in UFC history. With Lawler winning by TKO in the fifth round.

Mayweather v McGregor – Boxing

The boxing community was shocked when UFC champion, Connor McGregor, announced his professional boxing debut against none other than legendary boxer Floyd “Money’ Mayweather. The fight was dubbed “The Money Fight”, and it lived up to its title with McGregor and Mayweather making $85 million and $275 million respectively. Mayweather won in the tenth round by referee stoppage after McGregor “failed to defend himself”. The questionable decision left McGregor supporters outraged and calling for a rematch, which is yet to happen.

Amanda Nunes v Cris Cyborg – UFC

UFC Featherweight warriors, Amanda Nunes and Cris “Cyborg” Justino stepped into the octagon in December of 2018. With both women known for their strength and brutality in the cage, and Nunes’ Featherweight belt on the line, many predicted a stunning matchup. But nobody could have foreseen Amanda Nunes knocking out Cris Cyborg only 51-seconds into the first round. The stunning finish even left UFC commentator, Joe Rogan speechless; with him raising his hands and screaming at the sky for a few seconds after the fight.

 Holly Holm v Ronda Rousey – UFC

From early 2011 to mid-2015, Ronda Rousey, the first female fighter to sign a contract with the UFC, was taking the MMA world by storm. When Rousey stepped into the octagon to defend her championship belt against Holly Holm, she looked unstoppable. Coming off of a 12-fight professional winning streak, all bets were on Ronda, to wipe the floor with her challenger. The two fighters engaged in intense trash talk leading up to the fight, and Ronda refused to touch gloves with Holm at the beginning of the fight. Despite her being the favourite to win, this fight would prove to be one of Rondas last, as she was knocked out by a violent head kick at the start of the second round.

Masvidal v Askren – UFC

There isn’t much to be said about this fight; simply because the fight lasted less than ten seconds. Jorge Madvidal, the current holder of the (slightly questionable) BMF Belt, shocked the fight world when he started his 2019 matchup against wrestler, Ben Askren by sprinting at his opponent and delivering a flying knee that put him to sleep before he even hit the ground. The referee instantly called an end to the fight; and Masvidal set not only a UFC fastest knockout record (5 seconds), but did it in the most spectacular fashion possible.

Khabib v McGregor – UFC

By simply looking at the fighters in this matchup, it was clear that no matter who reigned victorious, the fight would be legendary. The battle saw UFC legend, Connor McGregor and undefeated Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. The lead up to the fight was both exciting and polarizing: with both fighters exchanging heavy trash-talk and making it clear that they were not fans of each other. Connor McGregor also executed one of his most notorious acts in the days nearing the fight, by using his entourage to start a fight with Khabib’s team after a media conference. During which McGregor threw a shipping dolly at a UFC bus, injuring multiple UFC personalities as well as receiving criminal charges. During the fight, Khabib dominated McGregor by wrestling him to the ground and using his superior power and grappling abilities to exhaust his opponent before sinking in a choke to end the fight in the fourth round. When the fight ended, Khabib clearly wanted more action. He threw his mouthguard at one of McGregor’s colleagues before leaping over the cage and taking a graceful, yet violent swan-dive into the crowd. The ensuing brawl resulted in members of Khabib’s team jumping over the cage to assault McGregor, and Khabib being restrained and removed from the arena by police; while UFC commentators, judges, and fans alike were left stunned at what they had just witnessed.