BEST UFC FIGHTS OF 2021

10 – DUSTIN POIRIER VS CONOR MCGREGOR 2

UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It took place on January 24, 2021, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

The fight was a back and forth in the first round. Both of them rocked each other in the early rounds. Dustin won the fight via technical knockout in the second round, becoming the first person to defeat McGregor by knockout.

9 – MARLON MORAES VS MERAB DVALISHVILI

UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega took place on September 25, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States. 

Marlon Moraes and Merab foight on this card. the duo put on a show for the fans. The fight was a war as long as it lasted. After being knocked down and nearly finished in the first round, Dvalishvili rallied and won the fight via TKO in round two.

8 – EDSON BARBOZA VS SHANE BURGOS

UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler took place on May 15, 2021, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States.

In this card, Barboza faced Shane Burgos in the featherweight division. The duo blasted each other with leg kicks and punches. Barboza won the fight via knockout in the third round after Burgos experienced a delayed reaction to being knocked out with a right cross.

7 – JIRI PROCHAZKA vs DOMINICK REYES

UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Prochazka (also known as UFC on ESPN 23 and UFC Vegas 25) took place on May 1. At the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.

The fight was for the no.1 contender spot in the light-heavyweight division. Both the fighters rocked each other in the first round. But It was Jiri’s pace that proved to be his advantage over Reyes. In a back and forth fight, Prochazka overwhelmed Reyes with his volume and knocked Reyes unconscious with a spinning back elbow in the second round.

6 – MAX HOLLOWAY VS YAIR RODRIGUEZ

UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez (also known as UFC Fight Night 197, UFC Vegas 42, and UFC on ESPN+ 55). It took place on November 13, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.

A featherweight bout between former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway and The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight winner Yair Rodríguez served as the event headliner. After a fast-paced fight, Max Holloway won the fight via unanimous decision.

5 – MICHAEL CHANDLER VS CHARLES OLIVEIRA

UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler took place on May 15, 2021, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States.

A UFC Lightweight Championship bout for the vacant title between former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira headlined the event. Chandler rocked Oliveira in the first round and was about to win but went on to lose the fight via TKO in the second round.

4 – PETR YAN vs CORY SANDHAGEN

UFC 267: Błachowicz vs. Teixeira took place on October 30, 2021, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

A UFC Bantamweight Championship rematch between current champion Aljamain Sterling and the former champion Petr Yan. Sterling withdrew from the contest due to lingering neck issues. Cory Sandhagen stepped in for Sterling for an interim championship. Yan won the bout via unanimous decision.

3 – TJ DILLASHAW VS CORY SANDHAGEN

UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw (also known as UFC on ESPN 27 and UFC Vegas 32) took place on July 24, 2021. At the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.

The pair was rescheduled and served as the main headliner for UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw on July 24, 2021. Dillashaw won the fight via split decision. The decision was seen as somewhat controversial, with many fans, fighters, and media members expressing their belief that Sandhagen won the bout. 17 of 23 media outlets scored the bout as a victory for Sandhagen.

2 – MICHAEL CHANDLER VS JUSTIN GAETHJE

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 took place on November 6, 2021. At Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, United States.

Gaethje faced former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. After a back-and-forth fight, Gaethje won the bout via unanimous decision despite knocking Chandler down and nearly finishing him in the second round. 

1 – ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS BRIAN ORTEGA

UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega took place on September 25, 2021. At T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.

A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between current champion Alexander Volkanovski and former title challenger Brian Ortega headlined the event. The pairing was previously scheduled to take place at UFC 260, but it was canceled a week before taking place as Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19. Alex won the fight via unanimous decision.