The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has witnessed numerous battles that have left an indelible mark due to their sheer intensity and the bloodshed involved.
These fights not only showcased the fighters’ resilience but also highlighted the brutal nature of mixed martial arts.
Here, we count down the top 10 bloodiest UFC fights of all time.
10. Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Stephan Bonnar – UFC 110
In February 2010, Stephan Bonnar faced Krzysztof Soszynski in a bout that quickly turned into a bloodbath.
An accidental headbutt caused a deep gash on Bonnar’s forehead, leading to significant bleeding.
The fight was eventually stopped in the third round due to the severity of the cut, awarding Soszynski the TKO victory.
The two would later rematch, with Bonnar securing a win.
9. Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon – UFC 155
December 2012 saw lightweights Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon engage in a three-round war.
Miller opened up a significant cut on Lauzon early in the fight, resulting in a blood-soaked canvas.
Despite the relentless bleeding, both fighters continued to exchange strikes, earning Fight of the Night honors.
Miller secured the victory via unanimous decision.
8. Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva – UFC 146
In May 2012, heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez faced Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.
Early in the first round, Velasquez took Silva down and delivered a series of elbows and punches, causing a massive cut on Silva’s forehead.
The blood loss was so severe that the canvas turned red. The referee stopped the fight, declaring Velasquez the winner by TKO.
7. B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson – UFC 80
January 2008 featured a lightweight title bout between B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson.
Penn dominated the fight, and in the second round, he landed an elbow that opened a deep cut on Stevenson’s forehead.
Blood poured from the wound as Penn secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Stevenson to tap out. The image of a bloodied Stevenson remains one of the most iconic in UFC history.
6. Renato Sobral vs. David Heath – UFC 74
August 2007 saw Renato “Babalu” Sobral take on David Heath in a light heavyweight clash.
Sobral controlled the fight, and in the second round, he opened a significant cut on Heath’s forehead.
Despite the blood gushing from the wound, Sobral continued his assault, eventually securing an anaconda choke for the submission victory.
5. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II – UFC 189
In July 2015, welterweights Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald faced off in a rematch that would become one of the bloodiest and most memorable fights in UFC history.
Both fighters inflicted significant damage on each other, with Lawler suffering a split lip and MacDonald enduring a broken nose.
The bout was stopped in the fifth round after MacDonald could no longer continue, giving Lawler the TKO victory.
4. Stefan Struve vs. Denis Stojnić – UFC 99
June 2009 featured a heavyweight bout between Stefan Struve and Denis Stojnić.
Struve, utilizing his reach advantage, landed strikes that opened up multiple cuts on Stojnić’s face.
The blood flow was substantial, covering both fighters and the canvas.
Struve secured a rear-naked choke in the second round, forcing Stojnić to submit.
3. Mark Hunt vs. Antonio Silva – UFC Fight Night 33
December 2013 saw heavyweights Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva engage in a five-round slugfest.
Both fighters landed heavy shots, resulting in multiple cuts and significant blood loss.
The back-and-forth battle ended in a majority draw, with both fighters earning Fight of the Night honors.
The bout is often cited as one of the greatest heavyweight fights in UFC history.
2. Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier II – UFC on Fox 30
In July 2018, lightweights Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier faced off in a rematch.
The fight was a violent affair, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows. Poirier landed a series of elbows and punches in the second round, opening up a deep cut on Alvarez’s face.
The referee stopped the fight, awarding Poirier the TKO victory.
1. Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal – UFC 244
November 2019 featured a highly anticipated bout between fan favorites Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal for the “BMF” title.
Masvidal dominated the early rounds, opening deep cuts above Diaz’s right eye.
The ringside doctor deemed the cuts too severe, stopping the fight before the fourth round.
Masvidal was declared the winner by TKO, but the stoppage was met with controversy, as many believed Diaz could have continued.
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These bouts exemplify the brutal and unforgiving nature of mixed martial arts, showcasing the fighters’ toughness and the sport’s intensity.
