Top 5 UFC upsets in recent memory

Every year, the UFC witnesses some surprising upsets in its octagon. Fighters who are expected to defeat their foes in winnable bouts sometimes get the shorter end of the stick.

Such losses stun the MMA world more than anything, for instance, no one will ever forget Ronda Rousey's crushing defeat to Holly Holm at UFC 193.

It was 'Rowdy's' first-ever loss in her professional MMA career, and it came against a foe no one believed was capable of dethroning her. A similar sentiment was felt years prior to 'The Preacher's Daughter' upset win when Matt Serra shocked UFC fans everywhere by TKO'ing the legendary Georges St-Pierre.

While no upset is yet to eclipse Serra's upset over 'GSP', there have been such wins in recent memory. Over the past year, UFC events have featured several bouts that were expected to go one fighter's way. Instead, upsets took place that rocked the MMA world.

#5. Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze, UFC on ESPN 32

Giga Chikadze is one of several featherweights that fans once believed were destined for a UFC title fight at some point in the future. In early 2022, he was a streaking 145'er with seven consecutive wins in the promotion. He was fresh off a three-round drubbing against Edson Barboza.

At UFC on ESPN 32, he was scheduled to face Calvin Kattar. Fans and analysts around the world predicted a Chikadze win, with many dismissing 'The Boston Bomber's chances. But once the two men stepped inside the octagon, a very different bout unfolded.

Calvin Kattar just stopped Giga Chikadze in his tracks with an inspiring performance.

Kattar performed stronger in the Championship rounds.

#UFCVegas46 https://t.co/FrKzj9zE8E

Kattar proved himself far tougher than everyone expected. He consistently countered his foe's overreliance on kicks by depriving him of the time and space he needed to throw kicks with any leverage. He frequently intercepted him with elbows and looked poised to finish Chikadze at several points.

While the Georgian's toughness kept him in the bout, he was battered and beaten in a way that few UFC fans could have imagined. It was his first-ever loss in the promotion, and Chikadze hasn't fought since.

#4. Sean O'Malley vs. Petr Yan, UFC 280

Petr Yan is one of the finest strikers in the UFC today. He combines his pressure-based style of boxing and defensive grappling skills to render himself a nightmarish matchup for nearly every other bantamweight.

At UFC 280, 'No Mercy' was tasked with crushing Sean O'Malley's hopes for a future at the top of the division.

'Sugar' was regarded as an exceptional striker who consistently failed to do well against every top-ranked opponent he faced up to that point. Marlon Vera TKO'd him, and he only managed a no-contest against Pedro Munhoz in an uneventful bout. Thus, in the eyes of many, his ceiling seemed obvious.

Many even called him a "can-crusher," a fighter who easily dispatched easier foes but struggled against elite fighters.

What. A. Fight 🥊

Sean O'Malley defeats Petr Yan to move to 16-1 🤯 https://t.co/I8EdrcoUBA

Meanwhile, Yan is a former world champion. The expectation was that 'No Mercy' would dominate his foe with a life-altering beating. Instead, what transpired was a bout that was far more competitive than predicted. O'Malley proved to be the superior striker, hurting Yan badly several times.

His striking acumen even forced the Russian phenom to wrestle, which he rarely does in such a consistent manner. While O'Malley's blatant cage-grabbing during the bout can't be discounted, he still did much better than anyone could have expected.

He even managed to carve out a somewhat controversial split-decision victory in a bout everyone was sure he'd lose badly.

#3. Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2, UFC 273

Most fights are predicted from a theoretical standpoint as they involve two fighters who have never crossed paths inside the octagon. The second bout between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan, however, was different.

Prior to UFC 273, there was ample tape on their initial encounter for analysts to make predictions from.

Their first bout was a fairly dominant affair in 'No Mercy's favor. Although 'Funkmaster' looked in phenomenal shape and threw everything but the kitchen sink at Yan, he was outstruck and outwrestled nonetheless.

Were it not for Yan's perplexing decision to land an illegal knee on a grounded 'Aljo' that led to his disqualification, he would surely have emerged from UFC 259 as the defending champion.

Congratulations @funkmastermma, #Aljamain #Sterling celebrates after defeating Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 273 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 09, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) https://t.co/Qa59mPAQkr

Their rematch, however, couldn't have been more different. 'Funkmaster' paced himself to avoid the exhaustion he had experienced in their first bout. He pressured and used measured activity to outscore his conservative foe on points in the striking department.

When it came to grappling, Sterling made his opponent pay for frequently exposing his back when defending takedowns. It enabled the Jamaican-born champion to secure easy back-takes and control time en route to a split-decision win in a bout no one thought he'd win.

#2. Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya, UFC 281

While Alex Pereira twice defeated Israel Adesanya in kickboxing bouts, those wins came under dubious circumstances. Their first bout was a closely contested decision that many felt 'The Last Stylebender' had done enough to earn. Their second fight, however, was more definitive.

While the Nigerian striking specialist badly hurt 'Poatan' at the start of their fight, he couldn't secure a finish due to the referee awarding the Brazilian a standing count. Once Pereira gathered his bearings, he made Adesanya pay for leaning away from punches in the pocket by flatlining him with a vicious left hook.

Alex Pereira before starting 5th round with Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 https://t.co/hmcQWVuvpQ

Those two wins took place years ago in a different sport. Thus, after their trilogy bout was booked, many spoke about the new variables at play. It wasn't kickboxing, it was MMA. Adesanya's experience in the sport earned him the confidence of other fighters and even several analysts.

When the two finally locked horns, Adesanya stunned Pereira late in the first round. Were it not for the round ending, he might have secured a finish. He punctuated his greater experience by consistently outwrestling his rival. By the fifth round, however, 'Poatan' had made certain reads.

Once Adesanya zigged instead of zagged, he was the recipient of a tenacious TKO that left him wobbling against the fence.

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

There was ample time between Leon Edwards' first and second fights with Kamaru Usman. During that time, both fighters evolved as mixed martial artists by refining their existing skill sets and broadening their arsenal of weapons.

Their initial bout had ended in 'The Nigerian Nightmare's favor via a unanimous decision.

🚨 Kamaru Usman gets KNOCKED OUT by Leon Edwards!!!

#kamaruusman #ufc278 #ufc #leonedwards #ko https://t.co/HZVNeVyn47

He outwrestled and outhustled his foe to capture a decision win way back in 2015. While 'Rocky' was promising in the striking department, he struggled due to his inferior cardio and grappling.

The same remained true in their rematch. Despite taking Usman down for the first time in the Nigerian's UFC career, 'Rocky' still struggled for most of the bout. The high elevation in Salt Lake City sapped his endurance.

However, in the fifth round, his coach gave him a pep talk for the ages. It empowered him to mount a comeback unlike any other. A faux straight left misdirected Usman into the path of a high kick that left him unconscious with just a minute left in the fight.