The UFC fans were in for some ecstatic entertainment in 2020 as many fighters put in ‘fight of the year’ performances. From Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov’s title defence against interim champ Justin Gaethje to Connor McGregor thumping Donald Cerrone in a packed arena, 2020 was full of war-like fights.
We have compiled the Top 10 Best UFC Fights of 2020 which we feel were the highlight of this year.
Best UFC Fights of 2020
10. McGregor vs Cowboy
Coming in at number 10 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Connor McGregor vs Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
The Notorious Connor McGregor kicked of the year with a stunning win over Cowboy. Their welterweight bout in January ended in only 40 seconds of the first round as Connor announced his return to the UFC after a devastating loss to Khabib.
Connor was fitter, faster and a more accurate fighter. He was overwhelming Cowboy since the first bell and never let him settle inside the octagon.
As they grappled, Connor made use of his shoulders and popped Cowboy’s nose with repetitive blows. This had Cerrone lose his focus and a head kick right after it, which is very unorthodox from Connor in the early rounds, made him drop.
After that, Cerrone was on the floor, being mauled by his rival and waited for referee Herb Dean to stop the contest.
9. Zhang vs Jędrzejczyk
Coming in at number 9 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jędrzejczyk.
Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk lit up the T-Mobile Arena in March as they went against each other for the UFC 248 co-main event.
Their fight has been tipped to be one of the most ferocious bouts in the history of the UFC.
Joanna gave Zhang a run for money but was outclassed by the younger woman, who got the victory by decision.
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang is now expected to return in early 2021 against “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
8. Khabib vs Gaethje
Coming in at number 8 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje.
October witnessed the title defence of undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov against Justin Gaethje.
The match was one-sided in the Russian’s favour as he submitted Gaethje in only the second round. He was dominant, agile and maintained pressure over Gathje throughout their bout.
Gaethje was moving all over the octagon to avoid being cornered and taken down by Khabib, but he couldn’t stand against him just like the 28 others who tried before him.
At the end of the match, the UFC fans witnessed a version of Khabib that they had never seen before.
Khabib, who was returning to the octagon for the first time after his father’s death to the novel coronavirus, hung up his gloves. He broke down in the middle of the cage and affirmed that “there’s no way” he was ever returning without his father.
7. Luque vs Price II
Coming in at number 7 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Vicente Luque vs Niko Price.
Vicente Luque and Niko Price met at UFC 249 in a matchup of welterweights, but it was Luque who stole the show as he emulated his 2017 antics against Price.
Luque found early success with ferocious leg kicks while Price landed his right hand repeatedly. Price’s face began to swell due to a first-round right hand from Luque.
In the third round, Luque sent Price stumbling on the floor with a solid left hand. Price seemed to have absorbed the blow but his swelling had increased so much that it got his eye closed.
With Price unable to see, the referee stopped the fight in the fourth minute of the third round.
6. Adesanya vs Paulo Costa
Coming in at number 6 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa.
The build-up to two of the most ferocious middleweights going head to head was huge and the fight was as great as anticipated.
Israel Adesanya made the match-up look too easy for him. He was too quick for Paulo Costa, who never appeared in control of the fight.
Adesanya triumphed with a second-round TKO at the UFC 253 main event in the UAE.
This was The Last Airbender’s second middleweight title defense in a row.
He is now tied with Chris Weidman for the second-longest win streak in the middleweight division history with nine wins. Anderson Silva still owns the record for the longest winning streak with 13 consecutive wins.
5. Gaethje vs Ferguson
Coming in at number 5 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Justin Gaethje vs Tony Ferguson.
Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson did not disappoint at all when they met at main event of UFC 249 in Jacksonville.
Gaethje, who entered the fight in Khabib’s absence, pulled off a stunning victory.
He put on an overwhelming performance in each round before a TKO finish at 3 minutes, 39 seconds of the fifth round. Ferguson had his swollen and a huge cut on his right cheek.
4. Emmett vs Burgos
Coming in at number 4 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Josh Emmett vs Shane Burgos.
Courtesy of Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos, the UFC fans got to witness a war in June as both fighters combined for an incredibly entertaining performance.
It was 35-year-old Emmett who ultimately won with a unanimous decision.
The fight was very close as all three judges scored 29-28 in favour of Emmett. This was a huge upset for Burgos, considering Emmett suffered a blow in his left knee in the very first round.
3. Reyes vs Blachowicz
Coming in at number 3 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Dominick Reyes vs Jan Blachowicz.
The match-up between light heavyweight giants Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz was special because both were fighting for a vacant crown.
With all the pre-match hype surrounding Reyes and his supreme technique, Blachowicz put on a clinic as he outclassed and bulldozed his way to the title.
Reyes could not handle the sheer power of Jan, who was relentlessly explosive throughout the whole fight.
With a win in the fourth round by TKO, Blachowicz , 37, got hold of the title, previously held by Jon Jones, before deciding to move up to the heavyweight division.
2. Miocic vs. Cormier III
Coming in at number 2 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier III.
In August, Stipe Miocic put an end to the speculation about his GOAT status in the history of the UFC heavyweight division.
For his third and final fight against Daniel Cormier, Miocic rallied onto another victory via decision. He stuck to a similar game plan to outmanoeuvre the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.
After this complete performance, Miocic has surely secured his place in the MMA Hall-of-Fame.
1. Poirier vs Hooker
Coming in at number 1 on our Best UFC Fights in 2020 list is Dustin Poirier vs Dan Hooker.
Dan Hooker and Dustin Poirier are two heavy strikers who lived up to the hype in June as they put up a fight that has the potential to be the fight of the year.
The Diamond comprehensively outworked his rival and hence, got away with a victory via decision.
Despite exchanging nearly 400 strikes with Poirer, Hooker returned home to New Zealand with just a few stitches and avoided any serious injuries.
Although this match-up might not have been penned as ‘THE’ fight to watch in 2020, it surprised many and takes our top spot on the Best UFC Fights list.
