The Most Iconic MMA Moments of All Time
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) started out as a sport that was seen by the majority of the public as quite barbaric. Fast forward to today, and it is one of the fastest-growing sports with a fanbase that can rival any other sport. MMA has seen such a significant rise due to its controversial superstars and jaw-dropping moments that keep fans entertained. Viral upset victories and knockouts that are heard around the world, MMA has provided so many iconic moments in combat sports.
ProfitDuel, the home of sportsbook promos, has picked out its most iconic MMA moments of all time. This list is not a ranking; however, these moments are all iconic for different reasons and deserve a place on this list.
Conor McGregor’s 13-Second KO of Jose Aldo
No one has transcended MMA into the mainstream quite like Conor McGregor has; the Irish superstar has gone from a rookie fighter to a global figure. In a career filled with iconic moments, there is one that stands out compared to the rest. At UFC 194, McGregor was scheduled to face the legendary Jose Aldo, making for one of the most anticipated fights in the sport’s history.
After months of build-up and a world press tour, the time finally came for the two to fight. Many fighters and fans predicted Aldo to dispatch McGregor, but no one could have predicted what actually happened. McGregor knocked out Aldo in the first 13 seconds with his first punch to win the featherweight title. This victory shocked the world and put McGregor in the history books for the quickest finish in UFC championship history.
Holly Holm Knocks Out Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey’s reign in the UFC was nothing short of incredible, and she brought women’s MMA to the forefront of the sport. Rousey was on an incredible streak as champion, and it looked like there was no one able to match her skills in the octagon. But her time as champion came to a devastating end at UFC 193, as top contender Holly Holm viciously knocked out Rousey with a head kick that turned the MMA world upside down.
Holm handed Rousey the first loss of her career, and this is still considered to be one of the biggest upset wins in MMA history. This moment marked a monumental chapter in women’s MMA as the passing of guard and proved that dominance is not always guaranteed.
Jon Jones Becomes the Youngest UFC Champion
Jon Jones is considered by the vast majority of UFC fans to be the greatest fighter of all time. He did not earn this title by luck; there has not been a more dominant fighter in MMA history than Jones. At just 23 years old, Jones became the youngest ever champion when he defeated the legendary Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128. Jones took the fight on short notice, replacing his teammate Rashad Evans; Jones put on a masterclass. He was dominant from the opening second, with this blend of dynamic striking and relentless wrestling.
Jones stopped Rua in the third round and was crowned the new light-heavyweight champion. His record as the youngest champion in UFC history is a mark that does not appear to be beaten anytime soon. This victory marked the beginning of a long title reign that would span over a decade. Jones’ dominance and fight IQ have been unmatched, with no one able to truly defeat him, and with this recent retirement, he is one of the rare cases of someone walking away while on top.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Dominates McGregor and the Chaos That Followed
At UFC 229, the most highly anticipated fight in UFC history took place between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The buildup for the fight was tense, and things were getting ugly as McGregor tried everything he could to get into the head of Khabib. With Khabib being undefeated in MMA, a lot of fans expected him to smash McGregor like he had done to everyone else. However, the trash talk and mind games of McGregor swayed certain fans into believing he was mentally one step ahead.
Khabib dominated the fight from start to finish with his high-pressure wrestling style proving too much to deal with. McGregor had the odd moment of success, but after Khabib was able to drop McGregor with a right hand, the writing was on the wall. In the fourth round, Khabib managed to get the submission, and this should have been the end of it. But Khabib was not done, and he jumped over the cage and started to attack a member of McGregor’s team. This moment overshadowed what should have been a marquee victory for Khabib.
