UFC’s Light Heavyweight title has long been considered one of the most coveted titles in the promotion. Over the years, MMA fans have witnessed many classic title fights. Today in this article, we will have a look at some of the greatest title bouts that gave the fans peak entertainment.
Quinton Jackson vs Forrest Griffin
When Quinton Jackson won the UFC Light Heavyweight title in 2007, he became a major superstar for the UFC and it seemed like he kept the title for more than a year. However, his title reign came to an end in a dramatic fashion in 2008 against Forrest Griffin. Before this title fight, Griffin defeated Shogun Rua, but very few fans actually expected him to dethrone Jackson, who was looking like a very tough competitor at the time. However, the battle proved that idea was completely wrong.
The first round was won by Jackson, who dropped his opponent with a short uppercut and nearly knocked him out with follow-up strikes, but Griffin did enough to survive. However, in the second round, Forrest returned the tables and landed a pair of low kicks that had Rampage buckling, then took him down and completely overpowered him on the ground. With this display of skills, Griffin showed that he is still in the game.
From there, the final three rounds were difficult to tell apart, as both fighters landed some big shots and did the damage standing up and on the ground. When the final buzzer rang, it seemed impossible to pick a winner, but in a major upset, Griffin received a unanimous decision from the judges. However, the promotion did not immediately book a rematch and it still remains a mystery because this fight remains an epic battle up to this day.
Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz
The early years of the UFC featured largely raw fights and Frank Shamrock’s light heavyweight title bout with Tito Ortiz was considered the best in the promotion’s history. Shamrock was significantly outclassed by Ortiz, who had lost a large amount of weight for this fight. The champ knew that he couldn’t really prevent a takedown from Ortiz, so Shamrock decided to try to exhaust him, largely avoiding much damage. Frank ended up suffering a bad cut, but despite being on the bottom for most of the three rounds, it was clear he was never out of the fight.
In fact, as Ortiz really started to slow down in the fourth round, Shamrock turned up the heat. Immediately retreating from guard, he got to his feet and landed a combination on the challenger. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” tried to fight back, but he had nothing left and when he tried to get a takedown in desperation, Shamrock blocked him and beat him with punches until the referee had to intervene.
It was a tremendous performance from Shamrock, who later cemented his legacy by walking away from the UFC with his undefeated record intact. Ortiz played his part, but Shamrock’s strategy made this fight incredible, and considering it took place back in 1999, it is still a legendary fight.
Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Daniel Cormier won the UFC Light Heavyweight title in the absence of Jon Jones and went on to have a great reign. He defended his title against incredible fighters like Anthony Johnson, Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis.
Before the fight, many fans mocked the booking as Gustafsson was coming in for his title challenge following a loss. However, they immediately calmed down when the action began. Both fighters went back and forth over five rounds, with both coming close to the finish on several occasions. Cormier attacked “The Mauler” with heavy punches, leaving him bloodied, while in the third round, Alexander nearly put Cormier down for good with a brutal knee to the jaw.
By the end of the fifth round, both fighters were looking bloody and battered. While “DC” got the victory and retained his title, Gustafsson also regained his lost respect. The two men never rematched and Alexander never came close to winning the gold medal again. But either way, it remains one of the best light heavyweight title fights in the history of promotion.
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Jon Jones is one of the greatest MMA fighters in UFC history. Between 2011 and 2020, he held the UFC Light Heavyweight title on three occasions, making a record of 11 successful defenses. He largely destroyed his opponents, but there was one man who pushed him to the limit. That fighter was Alexander Gustafsson. Their UFC 165 bout is the greatest light heavyweight title fight and the only one to be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame.
“The Mauler” surprised everyone and by the fourth round, Jones was bloodied up and it looked like he was about to get his first loss. However, with seconds remaining in the round, the champion fought back and stunned Alexander with a spinning elbow, badly injuring him and nearing the finish. This was enough for Jones to pull a victory from a near defeat and retain his title.
This fight will remain historic, as Jones was seen as a normal human in the octagon and Gustafsson gave a stellar performance. This bout still remains one of the best light heavyweight title fights in UFC history.
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