When the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) signed its landmark broadcast deal with ESPN in 2019, it marked the beginning of a new era for mixed martial arts. The sport was thrust into the mainstream like never before, landing on cable television, streaming platforms, and sports highlight shows that had once ignored it entirely. For better or worse, the “UFC on ESPN” era became the backdrop for some of the most unforgettable fights the promotion has ever produced.
ESPN’s platform undeniably helped the UFC grow. Events were easier to access, fighters became household names, and the promotion survived a global pandemic largely because of its media infrastructure. From Fight Nights on ESPN+ to blockbuster pay-per-view (PPV) cards promoted wall-to-wall across ESPN’s ecosystem, the sport reached new audiences and new commercial heights—even if fans often felt the sting of rising PPV prices along the way.
Advertisement
Now, with the UFC officially turning the page and entering its new deal with Paramount—one that eliminates traditional PPVs altogether—it feels like the perfect moment to look back. Before the next chapter fully begins, it’s time to celebrate the chaos, violence, drama, and heart that defined the UFC’s ESPN era. These are the 10 best fights from that run—the bouts that reminded us why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.
Here are the 10 best ESPN UFC fights, in no particular order.
Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC 236 – April, 2019
A fight that redefined heart, toughness, and championship grit. What started as a technical striking battle turned into a five-round war when Kelvin Gastelum repeatedly cracked Israel Adesanya and came within inches of stopping him. Instead, Adesanya dug deeper than anyone thought possible, delivering one of the most iconic fifth rounds in UFC history and proving he was more than just a slick striker—he was a champion built for hell.
Advertisement
The fight was inducted into the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame.
Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 1 – UFC 248 – March 7, 2020
This wasn’t just the greatest women’s fight in UFC history—it was one of the greatest fights ever, period. For 25 relentless minutes, Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk battered each other with zero regard for self-preservation, combining elite technique with raw brutality. Joanna’s ballooned hematoma became an instant symbol of the fight’s savagery, and Zhang’s razor-thin decision win cemented both women as legends.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira – UFC 275 – June 12, 2022
Pure chaos wrapped in championship stakes. Glover Teixeira used veteran savvy and grappling dominance to seemingly break Jiri Prochazka, only for the Czech madman to storm back with wild scrambles, heavy elbows, and impossible survivals. Just when Teixeira appeared seconds away from victory, Prochazka locked in a fight-ending submission with 30 seconds remaining—one of the wildest finishes ever and one of the best Light Heavyweight fights ever.
Dan Hooker vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC Vegas 4 – June 27, 2020
A five-round masterclass in violence. Dan Hooker and Dustin Poirier traded clean, brutal combinations from bell to bell, pushing each other to exhaustion in a fight that felt more like a test of will than skill. Poirier’s volume and accuracy ultimately won him the decision, but Hooker’s legendary durability and refusal to fade turned this into one of the most punishing stand-up wars the sport has ever seen. The second round was one of the best ever too.
Advertisement
The fight was intensifed because it was in the UFC Apex with no fans … but just imagine if it wasn’t.
Michael Chandler vs. Justin Gaethje – UFC 268 – Nov. 6, 2021
If chaos had a blueprint, this was it. Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje unleashed three rounds of non-stop carnage, featuring knockdowns, wild exchanges, and zero tactical restraint. The first round was insane. Chandler’s explosive wrestling and Gaethje’s punishing leg kicks kept the fight swinging violently in both directions, resulting in a Fight of the Year contender that showcased MMA at its most unhinged and entertaining. Ultimately, it was Gaethje who walked away with the unanimous decision win.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 1 – UFC 284 – Feb. 12, 2023
A rare super fight that exceeded every expectation. Alexander Volkanovski defied size, strength, and stylistic logic by pushing Islam Makhachev to his absolute limit, even winning key grappling exchanges late. Makhachev retained his title by decision, but the final image—Volkanovski standing over him, pounding away—sparked endless debate and cemented the bout as an instant classic.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega – UFC 266 – Sept. 25, 2021
Technical brilliance mixed with sheer survival. Volkanovski dominated much of the fight with pace and precision, but Brian Ortega’s two near-fight-ending submission attempts in Round 3 were among the most dramatic moments ever seen in a title fight. Volkanovski’s miraculous escapes and continued dominance afterward proved why he was one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of his era.
Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics – UFC 306 – Sept. 14, 2024
A Fight of the Year dark horse that came out of nowhere. In a pretty lackluster event in the iconic Las Vegas Sphere, Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics engaged in a blistering three-round striking battle, mixing speed, power, and creative offense with reckless abandon. The crowd erupted with every exchange, and Ribovics’ late surge sealed a decision in a bout that instantly turned both men into fan favorites.
Colby Covington vs. Kamaru Usman 1 – UFC 245 – Dec. 14, 2019
Trash talk gave way to pure violence. After months of personal insults and hype, Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman delivered a relentless five-round striking war that shocked anyone expecting wrestling. Usman’s jab and power slowly broke Covington down, culminating in a dramatic fifth-round TKO that solidified Usman as a dominant champion and ended one of the most heated rivalries of the era … until the rematched two years later.
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van – UFC 323 – Dec. 13, 2025
The most recent fight was a high-speed flyweight thriller that showcased everything great about the division. Brandon Royval’s unpredictability and wild punches clashed with Joshua Van’s sharp boxing and composure, resulting in a frantic, back-and-forth fight that never slowed down. It was technical, reckless, and wildly entertaining—proof that flyweights consistently deliver some of the most exciting fights in the UFC.
List your favorite fights in the comments below!
