Top 5 Welterweight Title Fights Ever

(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC.)

5. Matt Hughes vs Frank Trigg 2 - UFC 52

Uncle Dana’s all-time favorite fight kicks off the list. We’re back in the blissful, underground like days of the early UFC when Joe Rogan had hair and Chuck Liddell mind as well of been God. Matt Hughes was the Welterweight Champion and the consensus GOAT of the division. Frank Trigg was the number one contender who had never tasted gold. Hughes and Trigg had a rivalry mostly based off a clash of personalities. Hughes, a notoriously tough farm boy from Illinois, held a win over Trigg by rear naked choke. Trigg, an outspoken and supremely athletic New Yorker, wanted that win back and thought he deserved to be champion. UFC 52 is underway, both fighters make into the octagon to be greeted by Bruce Buffer and Mario “If they Die, they Die” Yamasaki. Mario should’ve been the first red flag, but we’ll continue. About a minute into the fight Trigg hits Hughes with an illegal knee to the groin. Mario, being the nimble man he is, decided to absolutely nothing about it. Trigg proceed to pummel Hughes and almost finish the fight. After Frank secured back control and nearly sunk in a rear naked choke of his own, Hughes escaped. He then proceed to pick Trigg up off the floor, run towards his coaches, and slam him to the ground. Creating one of the most iconic images in the sport’s history. Hughes then secured his second career rear naked choke win over Trigg at 4:05 in the first round. This fight established Hughes as an all-time legend and a First-Team All-Jacked member.

(ufc.com)

4. Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington- UFC 245

This fight would easily make my personal top 10 favorite fights! Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington at UFC 245 was a capsule of the time period. In a news cycle being dominated by a divisive President and racial injustice, Usman and Covington stood as representatives of that divide. Covington, who’s self-created schtick consisted of MAGA hats and shitty, over the line, racist trash talk, was the enemy everyone wanted to punch in the mouth. Usman was the hard working, humble, champion who stood for what he believed was right in the world. It was a classic good versus evil story. The two fighters despised each other. Usman calling Covington fake and weak, and Covington calling Usman every name in the book to get under his skin. Once each man entered the T-Mobile Arena, it was absolutely on! The two accomplished wrestlers immediately nullified each other’s skill, and an incredible kickboxing match was underway. Colby’s relentless pace and overhands won him a very high paced first round. Usman then adjusted, attacking Colby’s body with front kicks and right hands to the liver. Usman’s damage won him round 2 in many peoples eyes. Round 3 was the most one sided round of a very close fight. The body damage to Colby slowed him down immensely and allowed Usman to land big throughout the round. Kamaru landed a huge right hand at the end of the 3rd that broke Colby’s jaw. The perfect symbolization for someone who refused to shut up. But much like Colby’s attitude, his motor never stops. Covington came out of the corner like a bat out of hell and put damage on Usman in the 4th. 2-2 heading into the last round. Each man beaten down, but confident in their abilities. Usman took control early, landing even more body shots. Covington is just starting to slow down when Kamaru lands a bomb of a right that puts Colby on his ass. After getting up and falling twice more, the fight was stopped. Usman finishes Covington with a minute to go in the 5th and final round. The storyline of this fight wouldn’t have been written better. The broken jaw, the last second finish, and the inevitable rematch make this fight one of the best ever in the division.

(Esther Lin/MMA Fighting)

3. Johny Hendricks vs Robbie Lawler 1 - UFC 171

Nothing beats a good redemption story. Johny Hendricks vs Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 was the UFC Title win that Hendricks deserved. Prior to this fight, the UFC Welterweight division was ruled by George St. Pierre for 7 years. Nobody had even come close to challenging the All-Time great for many years. Johny Hendricks was the first to do so. Hendricks took the fight to St. Pierre in their bout at UFC 167. He controlled the fight on the feet and was able to stay away from Georges’ patented pressure. After 5 close rounds, the judges awarded at unanimous decision win to St. Pierre. UFC President Dana White, fans all around the world, and all 16 media members in attendance scored the fight for Hendricks. The vast majority were shocked at the division and felt Hendricks was the uncrowned champion. St. Pierre retired after the fight, citing “personal issues” he needed to deal with. This left an obvious void in the division. Hendricks was an obvious choice for a shot at the now vacant belt. Robbie Lawler was in the midst of a career resurgence following his return to the UFC after their buyout of competitor company Strikeforce. Robbie, who was already a UFC veteran, won his first three fights back in the promotion. Lawler finished Bobby Voelker and former title challenger Josh Koscheck before beating the hottest prospect in the division Rory MacDonald. This was enough for Lawler’s name to be added to the marquee. This fight, unlike others on the list, showed a great mutual respect between opponents. Once the fight started, it didn’t matter how much they liked each other. The opening round started a bit slow. Hendricks controlled the round with heavy hands and leg kick, before clinching Lawler up against the cage before the bell. One in the book for Hendricks. Round 2 was much of the same, but subtract the clinching and add some extra juice to Hendricks shots. He began landing harder and harder to the head and the legs. Johny really shows an incredible boxing ability in this round and goes up 2-0. The third round is where the waves get rocky. If you’ve ever watched Lawler fight, you know you literally have to stab him in the brain to kill him. Lawler landed huge punches early to a tiring Hendricks. Robbie had him hurt and almost out of his feet throughout the third. The biggest round of the fight goes to Lawler. The 4th, like it was written in a movie, is again a big one for Lawler. His cardio is starting to show up and take control. 2-2 heading into the fifth. Johny Hendricks’ corner is pleading with him for 5 minutes of action. Lawler comes out early and lands hard, but Johny gets the clinch. Hendricks breaks away and lands big knees. With a minute left in the fight, Hendricks went back to his basics. The All-American wrestler landed a beautiful double-leg and rode out the round. The Unanimous Decision win was rewarded to Johny Hendricks. It was the moment, he, the fans, and Dana were all waiting for. Hendricks had finally earned what he and other believed was taken from him just a year before.

(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC.)

2. Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit - UFC 195

The 5th round of Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit is one of the greatest rounds in the history of the sport. This fight was Lawler’s second title defense after winning the belt in a rematch with Hendricks and defeating Rory MacDonald in an all-time classic. Condit was a former interim champion who had climbed his way back to a title shot. Each man is known for their aggressive and fan-friendly style, so this fight was highly, highly anticipated. It was one of those fights that make you perk up in excitement as soon as it’s announced. And this clash certainly didn’t disappoint. Carlos, who was the much taller and longer fighter, came out of the gate using kicks to keep Lawler out of range. Condit would mix in spinning attacks and hard punches with the kicks and was beginning to take control of the exchanges. He won the first round and looked confident against the champion. But if you learn one thing from this list, never count out Robbie Lawler. Robbie bounced back in the second, sitting Condit down with a massive right hand. Lawler continued to pressure Condit for the remainder of the round and didn’t allow him to expand the range. 1-1 after 2. The 3rd round of this fight has now become infamous. Condit controlled much of the round with sheer volume, but didn’t land many powerful strikes. Lawler didn’t throw or land nearly as much as Condit, but when he did, his strikes were harder. It split the fans and the judges, with 2 giving it to Lawler and 1 awarding it to Condit. Round 4 was all Carlos. He rocked Robbie on more than one occasion and looked like the fresher fighter by far. All 3 judges gave the round to Condit. 2-2 going into the 5th, a theme of these fights. Lawler reached into his “I’m Definitely a Zombie” bag and went apeshit on Condit in the final frame. He landed multiple huge strikes with only a minute to go in the fight that would’ve knocked out the majority of the world. But not Condit. The final bell sounded and both men were exhausted. They both stood, resting on the cage from sheer exhaustion. Neither man celebrated, they were both just happy to be alive. The judges awarded a split decision victory to Robbie Lawler to retain the belt. Many fans, including me, think Condit won the fight. But this fight wasn’t a robbery. Both men had moments of brilliance and moments on the verge of consciousness. It marked the last great moment in each man’s career and many believe they left their best selves to die in the cage that night. One of the greatest title fights, or fights period, of all time.

(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC.)

1. Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald 2 - UFC 189

The greatest fight in MMA history has to be number one of my list. Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald gave fans everything they could dream of in a championship war. Lawler and MacDonald were rematching for the UFC Welterweight Belt. Lawler won the previous fight by split decision before either man was a champion. With great mutual respect for each other’s game, they both knew how tough of a battle this would be. Robbie was defending his title for the first time since winning it against Hendricks. MacDonald had not lost a fight since his previous loss to Robbie. Rory knocked off Damian Maia and Tyron Woodley impressively to earn his spot at the belt. The fight stars slow, with both men feeling each other out. Rory lands more shots throughout the round and the fighters are greeted to boos after the first 5 minutes. If only the crowd knew how foolish they sounded. The action picked up heavily in the second. Lawler started piercing “The Red King’s” guard with sharp straight punches. Lawler opened up a nasty cut on the bridge of Rory’s nose that would cause him problems for the rest of the fight. 1-1 after 2 rounds. Round 3 is where this fight enters legendary status. After it looks like Robbie is starting to pull away with the heavier shots, MacDonald lands a head kick straight out of the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers and stuns Lawler badly. The fight is almost stopped and Robbie stumbles back to his corner down 2-1. The fourth opens with more of the same. Rory is all over Robbie and has him pressed up against the cage. Referee John McCarthy is warning Lawler to fight back. Robbie replies “go away, I’m fine” while being peppered with punches. One of many great moments throughout the fight. The round ends with Lawler surviving and landing some good shots at the end. He spits his blood on the canvas and stares down Rory for a long while after the bell. This is, in may opinion, the greatest shot in UFC history. Robbie is now down 3-1 with a real chance of losing his belt. Rory’s previously busted nose is now completely shattered heading into the final frame. There is blood everywhere as Robbie’s lip is now hanging off his mouth. Both men look completely dead. Robbie checks his lip, Rory wipes his nose, and the fight continues. They both come out firing, but Robbie knows he needs the finish. About a minute into the round, Lawler lands a massive right hand to Rory’s badly hurt nose. He slowly falls, no longer willing to take the pain, and the fight is stopped. Robbie retains the belt. This is the best fight and one of the best moments in the history of the sport. If you learn anything from reading this, Robbie Lawler is a god damn monster.

(Esther Lin/MMAFighting)