10 Best UFC Events Of 2023, Ranked
David Craig Highlights
- UFC 290 during International Fight Week was an insane event, featuring statement wins, title defenses, and a Fight of the Year contender.
- Alex Pereira earned the light-heavyweight gold with a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in New York.
- UFC 291 showcased Justin Gaethje defeating Dustin Poirier for the BMF title, while Alex Pereira was successful in his light-heavyweight move, defeating Jan Blachowicz.
The UFC is now looking to 2024, having held their final pay-per-view event of the year. UFC 296, headlined by Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington was a fun card, that saw 'Rocky' dominate in the main event. While the event was okay, it didn't stand out compared to the rest of the year.
That's largely thanks to the fact that the UFC had a fantastic 2023. Names such as Jon 'Bones' Jones made their glorious return, while legends such as Robbie Lawler and Shogun Rua hung up their gloves for good. While the company held 51 events this calendar year, these 10 make the cut as the absolute greatest.
10 Best MMA Knockouts Of 2023
These are the most stunning knockouts in MMA in 2023. Everything from Bellator title fights to UFC underdog victories.10 UFC Noche: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2
The UFC's First Noche Event Was A Hit
In 2023, Dana White and the UFC announced their plans to hold an event on Mexican Independence Day. Given the country's massive success this year, it made sense. In September, the first event went down, headlined by Alexa Grasso's rematch with Valentina Shevchenko.
The main event was a classic and ended in a split draw. The rest of the card, however, was littered with big finishes. Raul Rosas Jr., Lupita Godinez, Daniel Zellhuber, and more all got highlight-reel stoppages.
Alexa Grasso | draws with | Valentina Shevchenko |
|---|---|---|
Jack Della Maddalena | defeats | Kevin Holland |
Raul Rosas Jr. | defeats | Terrence Mitchell |
Daniel Zellhuber | defeats | Christos Giagos |
Kyle Nelson | defeats | Fernando Padilla |
9 UFC 293: Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland
Strickland's Upset Was One of The Biggest In MMA History
UFC 293 was built to be the return of Israel Adesanya to his adopted home of Australia. However, it was instead the crowning of Sean Strickland. In the main event, 'Tarzan' won by unanimous decision.
The result was one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Still, the rest of UFC 293 was solid as well and saw many stoppage wins coming from the likes of Justin Tafa, Tyson Pedro, and more.
Sean Strickland | defeats | Israel Adesanya |
|---|---|---|
Alexander Volkov | defeats | Tai Tuivasa |
Manel Kape | defeats | Felipe dos Santos |
Justin Tafa | defeats | Austen Lane |
Tyson Pedro | defeats | Anton Turkalj |
8 UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2
The UFC's Return To Abu Dhabi Was Electric
UFC's trips to Abu Dhabi almost always end up being a mixed bag. However, their trip in October for UFC 294 was a fun one. Despite pullouts from Charles Oliveira and Paulo Costa, they quickly found replacements in the form of Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman.
In the main event, Islam Makhachev put his rivalry with 'The Great' to bed by a headkick knockout. Meanwhile, the co-main saw Khamzat Chimaev pick up the biggest win of his career by 'The Nigerian Nightmare'. The rest of the card saw many finishes as well.
Islam Makhachev | defeats | Alexander Volkanovski |
|---|---|---|
Khamzat Chimaev | defeats | Kamaru Usman |
Magomed Ankalaev | No Contest | Johnny Walker |
Ikram Aliskerov | defeats | Warlley Alves |
Said Nurmagomedov | defeats | Muin Gafurov |
7 UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2
'Poatan' and 'The Last Stylebender' Met Once Again
The rivalry between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya is among the greatest in MMA history. Their first meeting last year saw 'Poatan' score a comeback fifth-round knockout victory. In April, they met for the second time in the cage.
This time around, however, it was Adesanya who got a highlight-reel knockout win. The rest of the card was thrilling as well, as Rob Font and Kevin Holland picked up stoppage victories. Furthermore, this event was the last for Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal, who retired following the loss.
Israel Adesanya | defeats | Alex Pereira |
|---|---|---|
Gilbert Burns | defeats | Jorge Masvidal |
Rob Font | defeats | Adrian Yanez |
Kevin Holland | defeats | Santiago Ponzibbio |
Christian Rodriguez | defeats | Raul Rosas Jr. |
10 MMA Fights We're Looking Forward To In 2024
These are the most exciting MMA fights in Bellator and the UFC to look forward to in 2024.6 UFC Austin: Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan
This Fight Night Majorly Exceeded Expectations
UFC Austin wasn't a pay-per-view event, but it might as well have been. There were massive names littered throughout this card, but it was still somehow better than expected. The main event saw Arman Tsarukyan win by knockout, with the co-main seeing Jalin Turner do the same.
However, that wasn't all. Names such as Sean Brady and Miesha Tate returned to the win column, and Cody Brundage and Drakkar Klose made history with back-to-back slam knockout victories.
Arman Tsarukyan | defeats | Beneil Dariush |
|---|---|---|
Jalin Turner | defeats | Bobby Green |
Deiveson Figueiredo | defeats | Rob Font |
Sean Brady | defeats | Kelvin Gastelum |
Joaquim Silva | defeats | Clay Guida |
Dustin Stolzfus | defeats | Punahele Soriano |
5 UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
The First Meeting Between The Two Champions Was An Instant Classic
The main event of UFC 284 was a rare fight between champions, such as Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Unlike their rematch, 'The Great' had a full camp for this bout, and it showed. The number one and two pound-for-pound fighters went back and forth for five rounds.
The Russian scored a close, controversial decision win much to the dismay of the Australian crowd. However, the rest of the card was fun as well. Yair Rodriguez dominated Josh Emmett to win interim gold, while hometown fighters such as Justin Tafa scored victories.
Islam Makhachev | defeats | Alexander Volkanovski |
|---|---|---|
Yair Rodriguez | defeats | Josh Emmett |
Jack Della Maddalena | defeats | Randy Brown |
Justin Tafa | defeats | Parker Porter |
Jimmy Crute | draws with | Alonzo Menifield |
4 UFC 285: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane
'Bones' Returned In Style in March
Jon Jones was inactive for three years, getting prepared for a move to heavyweight. Despite fans missing out on a bout with Francis Ngannou, he returned to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title in March.
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14 Best Heavyweights In MMA History, Ranked
The Heavyweight division in MMA is home to many of the best fighters in the sport's history. Many of these have been UFC champions.'Bones' dominated, scoring a first-round submission win to return to championship glory. The co-main was equally as shocking, as Valentina Shevchenko was upset by Alexa Grasso. Thus, ending her historic flyweight title reign.
Jon Jones | defeats | Ciryl Gane |
|---|---|---|
Alexa Grasso | defeats | Valentina Shevchenko |
Shavkat Rakhmonov | defeats | Geoff Neal |
Mateusz Gamrot | defeats | Jalin Turner |
Bo Nickal | defeats | Jamie Pickett |
3 UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2
'The Diamond' and 'The Highlight' Fought For BMF Gold
UFC 291 was a card that didn't feature any meaningful title on the line or many top-ranked fighters. Still, the event was one of the best of the year. The headliner saw Justin Gaethje defeat Dustin Poirier to win the BMF title, reintroduced after Jorge Masvidal's retirement.
In the co-main, Alex Pereira was successful in his light-heavyweight move, defeating Jan Blachowicz. Beyond that, Derrick Lewis, Bobby Green, Kevin Holland, Miranda Maverick, and more scored stoppage wins.
Justin Gaethje | defeats | Dustin Poirier |
|---|---|---|
Alex Pereira | defeats | Jan Blachowicz |
Derrick Lewis | defeats | Marcos Rogerio de Lima |
Bobby Green | defeats | Tony Ferguson |
Kevin Holland | defeats | Michael Chiesa |
2 UFC 295: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
There's Just Something About the UFC in New York
Since MMA became legal in New York in 2016, the company has regularly loaded up on its yearly November trips there. This year, Alex Pereira earned light-heavyweight gold with a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 295.
However, that was far from the only noteworthy result. Tom Aspinall captured interim gold by knocking out Sergei Pavlovick on short notice, similar to his idol, Michael Bisping. Furthermore, every fight on the main card ended in a finish. You can't ask for better than that.
Alex Pereira | defeats | Jiri Prochazka |
|---|---|---|
Tom Aspinall | defeats | Sergei Pavlovich |
Jessica Andrade | defeats | Mackenzie Dern |
Benoit Saint-Denis | defeats | Matt Frevola |
Diego Lopes | defeats | Pat Sabatini |
1 UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez
The UFC's International Fight Week Ended Perfectly
The UFC's International Fight Week pay-per-view event can sometimes be disappointing, despite the incredible card. That wasn't the case this summer. UFC 290 was insane, from the prelims to the main card.
The prelims saw the retirement of Robbie Lawler, statement wins from Alonzo Menifield, and more. The main card saw Alexander Volkanovski's title defense, Dricus du Plessis's arrival at the top of middleweight, and a Fight of the Year contender in the form of Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno.
Alexander Volkanovski | defeats | Yair Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
Alexandre Pantoja | defeats | Brendan Moreno |
Dricus Du Plessis | defeats | Robert Whittaker |
Dan Hooker | defeats | Jalin Turner |
Bo Nickal | defeats | Val Woodburn |
