5 biggest upsets in UFC title fights
UFC title fights are often foregone conclusions in the eyes of fight fans, be it hardcore or casual spectators. Either the defending champion or the title challenger is regarded as a certain winner of these matchups. In many cases, such predictions tend to be true. However, that is not always the case.
There are times when a level of uncertainty engulfs a bout, leaving observers with no clear idea on who will emerge victorious. Though on rare occasions, there are fights that truly shock the world when a mixed martial artist who no one expected to win manages to overcome the dominant reigning champion.
Anderson Silva's first loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 162 was an upset, given that 'The Spider' had not lost a fight in seven years at the time. However, the loss was not a shock in the sense that Weidman's chances against the Brazilian great were nonexistent, since many predicted that he'd win the matchup, with some even describing the American as a bad stylistic matchup for the MMA legend.
What stunned fans and fighters alike was the manner in which Weidman won. This list instead covers five upsets in the strictest sense: UFC title wins that were widely regarded as impossible for the victors due to the sheer dominance of their opponents.
#5. Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold - UFC 199
Michael Bisping's legendary title victory at UFC 199 was an upset for two reasons.
First, Luke Rockhold looked all but unstoppable after his brutal TKO win over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, extending his string of victories to five. Second, Rockhold faced Bisping before at UFC Fight Night 55, knocking the Brit down before choking him unconscious with a one-armed guillotine in the second round.
Four years ago today, the legend of Left Hook Larry was born when @bisping knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 199.
On that night, he finally captured the UFC title after a 10 year run with the promotion 🇬🇧 https://t.co/oPqS4CqX49
Thus, no one expected 'The Count' to defeat the AKA standout, least of all because Bisping had inadequate time to prepare as he accepted the fight on 17 days' notice to replace an injured Chris Weidman in what was originally scheduled as a rematch between him and Rockhold.
So, when Bisping and Rockhold again locked horns, his chances were all but written off. Yet, within three minutes of the first round, 'The Count' proved his doubters wrong.
As Rockhold exited an exchange, he dropped his hands low, opting to lean away with his chin exposed. Bisping did not pass up the opening, quickly dropping Rockhold with a left hook. While the champion stumbled back to his feet, Bisping pounced on him, dropping him a second time with another left hook.
With his foe slumped against the fence, the Brit swarmed him with follow-up punches, finishing him to capture championship gold, dispelling all the talk of being pillow-fisted in the process.