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 \u201cUFC on ESPN\u201d era became the backdrop for some of the most unforgettable fights the promotion has ever produced.<\/p>\n
ESPN\u2019s 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\u2019s ecosystem, the sport reached new audiences and new commercial heights\u2014even if fans often felt the sting of rising PPV prices along the way.<\/p>\n
Now, with the UFC officially turning the page and entering its new deal with Paramount\u2014one that eliminates traditional PPVs altogether<\/a>\u2014it feels like the perfect moment to look back. Before the next chapter fully begins, it\u2019s time to celebrate the chaos, violence, drama, and heart that defined the UFC\u2019s ESPN era. These are the 10 best fights from that run\u2014the bouts that reminded us why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.<\/p>\n Here are the 10 best ESPN UFC fights, in no particular order.<\/p>\n Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC 236 – April, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2014he was a champion built for hell.<\/p>\n The fight was inducted into the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 1 – UFC 248 – March 7, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t just the greatest women\u2019s fight in UFC history\u2014it 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\u2019s ballooned hematoma became an instant symbol of the fight\u2019s savagery, and Zhang\u2019s razor-thin decision win cemented both women as legends.<\/p>\n Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira – UFC 275 – June 12, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2014one of the wildest finishes ever and one of the best Light Heavyweight fights ever.<\/p>\n Dan Hooker vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC Vegas 4 – June 27, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s volume and accuracy ultimately won him the decision, but Hooker\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The fight was intensifed because it was in the UFC Apex with no fans \u2026 but just imagine if it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Michael Chandler vs. Justin Gaethje – UFC 268 – Nov. 6, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s explosive wrestling and Gaethje\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 1 – UFC 284 – Feb. 12, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2014Volkanovski standing over him, pounding away\u2014sparked endless debate and cemented the bout as an instant classic.<\/p>\n Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega – UFC 266 – Sept. 25, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n Technical brilliance mixed with sheer survival. Volkanovski dominated much of the fight with pace and precision, but Brian Ortega\u2019s two near-fight-ending submission attempts in Round 3 were among the most dramatic moments ever seen in a title fight. Volkanovski\u2019s miraculous escapes and continued dominance afterward proved why he was one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of his era.<\/p>\n Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics – UFC 306 – Sept. 14, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019 late surge sealed a decision in a bout that instantly turned both men into fan favorites.<\/p>\n