There is no UFC event this weekend. The fifteen-day absence is sure to have fans wishing for one more week of Dana White’s Contender Series: something that kept the bad thoughts distracted during the occasional gap in the schedule. Coming into October, the promotion’s spooky season lineup is looking weak. With the exception of the jaw-dropping UFC 280 card, there isn’t much to get excited about until November’s PPV.
5 UFC Fights You Can Watch on YouTube
So if a pair of half-decent featherweight main events aren’t enough to satisfy your blood lust—here are five legendary UFC fights you can watch for free, right now, on YouTube.
1. Georges St-Pierre vs BJ Penn 1
Before BJ Penn was running for seats, he was on a run of sitting people down. In 2006, Penn returned to the UFC to face Georges St-Pierre after a four-fight year in K1 that included his legendary openweight clash against Lyoto Machida.
GSP was on the road to revenge as he sought a rematch with Matt Hughes, who was the only defeat on his record at the time. Hughes’ only defeat in his past 19 appearances was BJ Penn himself. Their desires to redeem those losses led to one of the most elite triangles of duologies in the sport’s history.
Matt Hughes was the UFC welterweight champion, and this bout was essentially a number one contender’s match. Despite St-Pierre winning the fight by split decision, it was Penn who would get his hands on Hughes first, as GSP was forced to withdraw from a scheduled title bout at UFC 63.
This fight is a classic between two of the all-time greats. It is a genuine must-see for any MMA fan.
2. Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor
The perfect fight to watch if you’re in a rush. Conor McGregor’s legendary ascendancy to the featherweight throne will be remembered for a long time. He overcame every challenge presented to him, including a rescheduling of this fight at UFC 189, where he won the interim title against Chad Mendes. Undefeated as champion for over six years, Jose Aldo would be McGregor’s toughest test yet.
In a knockout that has possibly been seen more than any other in the UFC, McGregor flatlined Aldo after just thirteen seconds. The perfectly placed left hand that McGregor predicted to end the fight would be shown on replays for years to come. The hype around both McGregor and the UFC as a whole reached a fever pitch as the mainstream ambitions of the sport were realized.
You’ve definitely seen this fight before. But it takes thirteen seconds—watch it again.
3. Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson 1
Jon Jones took on Alexander Gustafsson in his sixth title defense at UFC 165 in 2013. The only fight on this list to be inducted into the UFC Hall Of Fame; it saw Jones break the record for the most consecutive light heavyweight title defenses. Gustafsson earned his right to challenge by defeating former champion Maurico Rua to top off a streak that included Matt Hamill: Jones’ only loss.
The bout was highly controversial. It went to a decision, coming back unanimously in Jones’ favor. An incredibly close fight that likely came down to Jones’ superior staying power. However, many believed that Gustafsson had done enough to take the title from him in the first three rounds. The pair would later rematch at UFC 232, ending in a third round knockout for Jones.
4. Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz
Two of the UFC’s biggest draws faced off in November 2019 for the main event of UFC 244. This fight came when Jorge Masvidal’s star shone at its brightest, following his flying-knee knockout over Ben Askren. His opponent was Nate Diaz, returning from a decision victory against Anthony Pettis.
The UFC created the BMF (Baddest Motherfucker) belt specially for this fight. It was awarded to the winner by actor and wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The fight itself was a bloody affair. The famous toughness of Diaz was on show as Masvidal cut him open so badly that the doctor stopped the fight inside the distance. Perhaps not quite the elite display of skill the other entries on this list provide, but certainly a spectacle worth taking in.
5. Charles Oliveria vs Justin Gaethje
Charles Oliveria will this month compete in his fourth title fight, against Islam Makhachev. Oliveria will seek to regain the lightweight belt he lost on the scales in May. Despite being unable to stay as champion, he contributed to three of the most electric minutes of the year in the cage with Justin Gaethje.
The build-up to this fight brought out a more controversial side of the fan-favorite Gaethje. He received backlash from the fans when he labeled Oliveria a quitter and questioned his heart. Gaethje has since learned this not to be the case. This is a back-and-forth, up-and-down bout between two of the world’s most exciting combatants. The perfect way to build up your excitement for UFC 280.
