The Bloodiest MMA Fights of All Time

5 Bloodiest MMA Fights Of All Time

5 Bloodiest MMA Fights Of All Time. The UFC has a handful of matches that have been characterized as full-fledged blood baths, showcasing the brutal and visceral nature of the sport.

MMA has been subject to scrutiny and debate due to its violent nature, which is often highlighted in these intense and bloody encounters.

Randy Couture landed 131 of 154 total strikes against Vitor Belfort in their trilogy fight at UFC 49.

The Bloodiest MMA Fights of All Time

MMA is a sport that blends technique, endurance, and sheer toughness. But sometimes, a fight turns into an all-out war, with punches landing that leave the cage soaked in blood. Punches often lead to significant injuries and bloodshed in these brutal exchanges.

Over the years, we’ve witnessed some of the bloodiest battles in MMA history—fights where warriors refused to quit despite gruesome injuries.

Most UFC injuries are due to cuts, bruises, and fractures, which are often sustained during these brutal exchanges. Here are the bloodiest MMA fights that left an unforgettable mark on the sport.

1. Early Days of MMA: The Bloodiest Fights

The early days of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) were a wild, unregulated frontier, often resulting in some of the bloodiest fights in the sport’s history.

One of the most notorious examples is the clash between Gerard Gordeau and Yuki Nakai at Vale Tudo Japan 2 in 1995. Gordeau, known for his ruthless tactics, used the ropes to keep himself upright and delivered a brutal thumb to Nakai’s eye socket.

The result was catastrophic—Nakai was left severely injured and permanently blinded in one eye. This fight remains one of the most gruesome spectacles in MMA history, a stark reminder of the sport’s brutal origins.

Fast forward to 2015, and the fight between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 stands out as another blood-soaked battle. This five-round war saw both fighters endure significant damage, with Lawler’s lip grotesquely split and MacDonald’s nose shattered.

The post-fight x-rays revealed the extent of the carnage, with MacDonald’s nose described as “obliterated.” This fight is not only one of the bloodiest in UFC history but also one of the most memorable, showcasing the sheer will and toughness of both fighters.

1. Joe Stevenson vs. B.J. Penn (UFC 80)

When Joe Stevenson faced B.J. Penn for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 80, fans expected fireworks. What they got was one of the bloodiest fights in MMA history.

Early in the fight, Penn opened a deep cut on Stevenson’s forehead with an elbow, a common cause of cuts in UFC matches.

Blood poured down Stevenson’s face like a faucet, covering the canvas. Despite his toughness, Stevenson eventually succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the second round, his face a crimson mask.

BJ Penn’s precision was also evident in other fights, such as the iconic penn vs Diego Sanchez at UFC 107, where he connected on an astonishing 70% of his strikes and inflicted extensive damage, leading to a decisive victory.

2. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 (UFC 189)

This fight is considered one of the greatest in UFC history, and also one of the bloodiest. Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald engaged in an absolute war for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

By the later rounds, both fighters were covered in blood—MacDonald’s nose shattered, Lawler’s lip split wide open. The staredown at the end of round four remains one of the most iconic moments in MMA.

Lawler finished MacDonald in the fifth round, leaving the Octagon looking like a crime scene.

Cuts like those seen in this fight can lead to stoppages if deemed severe by a ringside doctor. Similarly, Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann’s fight ended with Sanchez winning a decision despite suffering severe facial damage.

In the fight between Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann at UFC on Versus 3, Sanchez was cut under both eyes and sustained significant damage to his face.

In another historic MMA tournament, Yuki Nakai suffered severe damage to his right eye from illegal eye gouging by Gerard Gordeau, resulting in permanent vision loss.

3. Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 229)

When two of the most exciting strikers in the UFC met, the result was pure violence. Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis put on a war that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Ferguson’s relentless pressure forced Pettis into wild exchanges, and soon, blood was pouring from both fighters.

Pettis suffered a broken hand and his corner called the fight after the second round, but not before the Octagon was painted red with their blood.

Sustained injuries like these often result in fighters needing stitches post-fight.

Similarly, Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon’s fight at UFC 155 resulted in multiple cuts that led to significant bleeding for both fighters. Jim Miller scored six takedowns and landed almost 63% of his strikes against Mac Danzig at UFC 100.

The 'miller vs' bouts, particularly against Mac Danzig and Joe Lauzon, are remembered for their intensity and the significant bloodshed, cementing Miller's legacy in some of the bloodiest encounters in UFC history.

4. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar 1 (TUF 1 Finale)

While not the bloodiest fight on this list, it was one of the most significant. The opening round saw intense battles between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar, setting the stage for an unforgettable encounter.

The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Finale saw Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar go to war for three rounds, bleeding from head to toe as they brawled non-stop.

The fight was so brutal and entertaining that UFC President Dana White awarded both men contracts.

Their blood-soaked battle helped put the UFC on the map, changing the sport forever. Fighters often experienced severe injuries and cuts during matches, which contributed to MMA’s contentious reputation.

Stephan Bonnar also participated in another bloody match against Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 110, further cementing his reputation as a warrior.

5. Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis (UFC 312)

Sean Strickland is known for his toughness, but his fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 showcased it to an extreme level.

Strickland suffered a badly broken nose in the middle of the fight, yet instead of showing weakness, he simply pushed it back into place and kept fighting.

The five-round war was a bloody spectacle, with Strickland absorbing heavy damage but refusing to back down. Similarly, KJ Noons faced Donald Cerrone at UFC 160 in a notable fight characterized by intense exchanges and bloodshed, with Noons sustaining significant damage and his face being bloodied from the strikes he received.

In the end, Du Plessis won via unanimous decision, but Strickland’s sheer grit and refusal to quit made this one of the bloodiest and most memorable fights out of all in MMA history.

Similarly, Sean Sherk and Kenny Florian’s fight at UFC 64 was one of the bloodiest title matches in UFC history. Cain Velasquez targeted Antonio Silva’s cut immediately after the fight began in their matchup at UFC 146, further demonstrating the brutal strategies often employed in these battles.

7. The Impact of Bloody Fights on MMA

Bloody fights have left an indelible mark on the sport of MMA, highlighting both the physical toll and the incredible resilience of the fighters.

Take, for instance, the epic showdown between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in 2020.

Despite sustaining severe damage, both fighters continued to battle fiercely, earning widespread admiration from commentators and fans. Their bloodied faces and relentless spirit epitomized the warrior ethos that defines MMA.

These brutal encounters have also driven significant changes in the sport’s rules and regulations. The mandatory use of gloves and mouthguards, along with regular medical check-ups, are direct responses to the dangers highlighted by such bloody battles.

These measures aim to protect fighters while preserving the intense, visceral excitement that fans love. Bloody fights, while often hard to watch, underscore the toughness and dedication of MMA fighters, making them legends in the eyes of fans.

8. A Look Back at Velasquez vs. Dos Santos

The fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos at UFC 146 in 2012 was a highly anticipated clash between two of the top heavyweight fighters in the world.

Velasquez delivered a dominant performance, securing a KO/TKO victory in the first round.

However, the fight is also remembered for the significant damage inflicted on dos Santos, who was left with a severely swollen face and a broken jaw.

Despite the one-sided nature of the fight, both fighters displayed incredible heart and grit. Dos Santos continued to fight valiantly despite the severe damage, earning respect from fans and commentators alike.

Velasquez’s performance was widely praised, and the fight remains one of the most impressive displays of dominance in UFC history. This bout is a testament to the toughness and resilience that define the sport of MMA.

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MMA is a brutal sport, and while fans love technique and skill, there’s no denying the visceral excitement of a bloody war.

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These fights stand out not just for the sheer amount of blood spilled, but for the heart, grit, and determination displayed by the fighters.

Whether it’s a deep cut, a broken nose, or a blood-soaked canvas, these battles remain etched in MMA history as some of the most unforgettable moments the sport has ever seen.

The UFC’s early years were marked by significant violence and bloodshed that shaped its image. UFC events are known for their intense atmosphere and high stakes, contributing to their popularity. Many fans seek out highlights or summaries of UFC fights to relive the excitement of the matches.

Fans may prefer to watch highlights of UFC fights to see significant moments without watching the full event.

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