Biggest Upsets in UFC History
UFC 273 is in the books and it was largely dominated by the Vegas Odds Favorites. Favorites on the night went 9-2-1, including some pretty steep fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski (-675) and Khamzat Chimaev (-490) cashing in.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t a couple upsets in the most recent fight, with Aljamain Sterling winning a split decision over Petr Yan to cash in at +320 (Yan was a huge -425 favorite). Mark Madsen also won a unanimous decision over Vinc Pinchel at +100.
Over the years there have been some pretty huge upsets in the octagon, which is expected considering it only takes one punch or kick to end a fight on a moment’s notice. Here are some of those biggest upsets in UFC history, that shocked the MMA world:
Shana Dobson (+1150) defeats Mariya Agapova
Agapova (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) specifically asked to face Dobson (4-4, 2-3) at the Apex in Las Vegas back in 2020 but that proved to be not so wise. Dobson had lost three straight fights, but was able to get top position in the 2nd round before getting the stoppage at 1:38. Agapova had fought two months prior, and blamed fatigue and personal problems for the loss.
Julianna Pena (+775) defeats Amanda Nunes
Nunes came into UFC 269 looking unbeatable, on a 12-fight win streak and the #1 women’s fighter in the pound-for-pound rankings. Pena did not care though, tapping Nunes in the 2nd round with a rear-naked choke for her first defeat since 2014.
Frankie Edgar (+725) defeats BJ Penn
Many people consider Frankie Edgar beating BJ Penn in the main event of UFC 112 the biggest upset in the men’s division in history. Edgar won by a unanimous decision but it was also controversial as all three judges scored it three different ways. Penn had won 5 of his previous 6 fights, but the loss to Edgar proved to be the beginning of the end. Penn went on to lose two rematches with Edgar (U-DEC, TKO), and went 1-8 over his final 9 fights.
Matt Serra (+700) defeats Georges St. Pierre
Georges St. Pierre has a 26-2 lifetime MMA record, one of those losses coming in a huge shocker to Matt Serra at UFC 69: Shootout. St. Pierre was up to a -1100 favorite at one point against Serra, who got the title shot only after winning The Ultimate Fighter. Serra got the stoppage at 3:25 in fight that UFC commentator Joe Rogan called, “Unbelievable. Unbelievable.” St. Pierre went on to win his last 13 fights including stopping Serra in the second round in the rematch.
Holly Holm (+635) defeats Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey won her first 10 fights in the UFC to become a global star, foraying her success into the octagon into movie and commercial appearances. Thus the image of Rousey laying unconscious on the mat after a second round Holly Holm knockout is iconic. Rousey went on to also get knocked out at 0:48 in the first her next fight against Amanda Nunes and was effectively done in the UFC.
