Top 5 surprising/shocking UFC wins over the past year

UFC fights transpire in numerous ways. The fighters necessary for matchups inside the octagon also come in all shapes and styles, with expertise in various fighting styles and martial arts. Thus, some fights end via knockout, while others conclude with submissions or a decision based on the judges' scorecards.

Even bouts that end in decisions can have an element of variety. Some decisions are well-earned, while others appear to be robberies. Regardless of the circumstances, one fighter must win and the other must lose. Sometimes, a win by a certain fighter is expected, while other wins are shocking.

More often than not, this is due to upsets happening. But in other cases, a freak injury might derail a bout or cost a UFC fighter a win that was once firmly in their grasp. This list details five different fights that ended with shocking wins one way or another.

#5. Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 2, UFC 278

UFC 278 was headlined by a rematch that was seven years in the making. When Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman first crossed paths, they were part of the new blood being pumped into the UFC at the time. Years later, they're now known as two of the greatest welterweights in the division.

Unfortunately, for there to be winners, there must also be losers. Their first encounter resulted in a lopsided unanimous decision win in 'The Nigerian Nightmare's favor. Their second encounter, however, was very similar but with a few twists.

🚨#UFC Comeback of the Year🚨

👑Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman II👑

Usman was up 3-1 on cards
Edwards was losing the 5th round
Last minute KO to win title and beat P4P #1 https://t.co/sbQGYps3Xq

Edwards became the first fighter to ever take Usman down inside the octagon. He secured a takedown in the very first round. Unfortunately, the next three rounds were all in favor of the Nigerian as he outwrestled his tiring foe. By the fifth round, Usman's win seemed inevitable. But a twist of fate took place within the last minute of the fight.

England's second-ever UFC titleholder faked a straight left, duping his opponent into slipping to the outside of the punch. Unfortunately, Usman slipped into the path of a brutal high kick that left him flatlined. It snapped his 15-fight win streak in shocking fashion.

#4. Jiří Procházka vs. Glover Teixeira, UFC 275

The first UFC champion to ever emerge from the Czech Republic is one of the most dynamic strikers in the promotion's history. Jiří Procházka possesses a breadth of knockout power that's magnified by an all-offense fighting style. Thus, he was expected to dominate the kickboxing exchanges against Glover Teixeira.

The two faced off for the promotion's 205 lbs crown. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist was predicted by many to be in complete control of any grappling sequences in the fight. But once the bout took place, a far more chaotic outing transpired.

#AndNew Jiri Prochazka defeats Glover Teixeira via submission (Rear Naked Choke) in round 5. #UFC275

Instant classic. https://t.co/X8tFgr4Cyw

The Czech phenom and Teixeira were both successful in all phases of combat. Though in the fifth and final round, things seemed to be firmly in the now-retired Brazilian's favor. In the very final instance, Procházka forced a transition that resulted in him securing a rear-naked choke.

Thus, the former national Muay Thai champion stunned the MMA world by submitting a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

#3. Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson, UFC 279

Nate Diaz is one of the biggest stars in MMA history. But despite being one of the main attractions in the MMA world, Stockton's finest has never been the easiest fighter for Dana White to convince to step inside the octagon.

At UFC 279, however, he agreed to face Khamzat Chimaev in his final-ever bout with the promotion. Alas, a weigh-in mishap involving 'Borz' led to the fight being canceled. Instead, the 'BMF' challenger faced former UFC interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson.

"The fight world belongs to Nate Diaz!"

The fact that @NateDiaz209 submitted Tony Ferguson at 𝑩𝑨𝑵𝑮 𝑶𝑵 2:09 in round 4 is just poetic. https://t.co/zvSoRd5vN0

The bout that ensued was a classic Diaz affair. This included posturing and in-cage trash talk. Ferguson, who was once known for his exceptional cardio and speed, had succumbed to the rigors of age. He was no longer fast enough to counter opponents with spinning elbows every time they sidestepped his punches.

Diaz made him pay for relying on a fighting style he was too old to use effectively. In the fourth round, he countered a desperate Ferguson takedown with a guillotine choke. Not only did he become the first fighter in UFC history to submit Ferguson, but he also did so at the 2:09 minute mark, similar to his 209 area code from Stockton.

#2. Arnold Allen vs. Calvin Kattar, UFC Fight Night 213

Arnold Allen is one of the fighters that many predict will be a future title challenger. The 29-year-old has had a successful MMA career thus far, with 19 wins and only one loss. Despite his success, he needs to prove himself against the top-tier competition to earn a title elimination bout.

His first chance came against Calvin Kattar, an elite featherweight with some of the best boxing skills in the promotion. Not many are better than him inside the pocket. Similarly, not many are better than 'Almighty' at producing one-two combinations from striking range. His natural speed renders him an extremely tough foe.

Arnold Allen takes the TKO victory due to a knee injury for Calvin Kattar #UFCVegas63 https://t.co/h6KPrt0JWy

At UFC Fight Night 213, he used that blistering speed to supplement his footwork. He frequently pivoted out of the way of Kattar's attacks. In the second round, he did so again. Only this time, he evaded a flying knee. 'The Boston Bomber' landed awkwardly as he turned to face 'Almighty'.

His knee quickly gave out, and a low kick from Allen later dropped him, convincing the referee to call the bout. It was an outcome that no one expected and continued a trend of freak injuries ending bouts in 2022.

#1. Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes, UFC Fight Night 208

Tom Aspinall represents a new generation of heavyweights. Alongside Ciryl Gane, he is a massive 205'er who somehow possesses the perfect combination of size, athleticism, and speed. His speedy boxing and slick Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills have caused many to hail him as a future champion.

Tom Aspinall lands a leg kick then falls to the ground in pain, ending the #UFCLondon main event.

Curtis Blaydes wins via TKO. https://t.co/GDJcOmyXHW

At UFC Fight Night 208, he was on home soil, ready to embark on his first title-challenging campaign. The first obstacle in his path was Curtis Blaydes. Unfortunately, no more than 15 seconds into the bout, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist injured himself in a bizarre fashion.

After landing a hard low kick, he immediately fell to the mat, clutching his knee in pain. The bout was quickly waved off by the referee. The exact manner in which he injured his knee remains unknown. However, what is known is that he damaged his ACL and tore his meniscus and MCL in the sequence.

It was one of the most shocking ends to a bout in recent memory, with much of it still being unexplained.