The old adage says “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
And somehow, it’s already been a decade since one of the UFC’s breakout years – 2015. The year featured all kinds of big news.
That year, long-reigning champs like Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones and Chris Weidman all suffered downfalls – either through title losses or, in the case of Jones, the removal of his title after a felony hit-and-run.
The year also saw the true rise of Conor McGregor, the arrival of Joanna Jedrzejczyk with three title wins, and Rousey had two stellar title defenses before her upset loss to Holly Holm. And to go along with the big ones, there were great ones.
The UFC has put together its favorite fights from 2015, and there’s a 2-hour marathon of all-time classics to sift through ahead of the return to regularly scheduled live MMA in a week. Check out the video above, and more coverage of the standout fights from 10 years ago below.
Ferguson vs. Barboza
Tony Ferguson and Edson Barboza at the TUF 22 Finale.
Result: Tony Ferguson def. Edson Barboza via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 2:54
Event: TUF 22 Finale, Las Vegas
Date: Dec. 11, 2015
Notes: Fight of the Night winner … Ferguson was supposed to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Nurmagomedov pulled out; it was the first scheduled meeting of their infamous five bookings that never panned out.
Cormier vs. Gustafsson
Daniel Cormier def. Alexander Gustafsson, UFC 192, Houston
Result: Daniel Cormier def. Alexander Gustafsson via split decision (47–48, 48–47, 49–46)
Event: UFC 192, Houston
Date: Oct. 3, 2015
Notes: Cormier retained the light heavyweight title with the win … Fight of the Night winner.
Holm vs. Rousey
Nov 15, 2015; Melbourne, Australia; Ronda Rousey (red gloves) competes against Holly Holm (blue gloves) during UFC 193 at Etihad Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Holly Holm def. Ronda Rousey via knockout (head kick, punches) – Round 2, 0:59
Event: UFC 193, Melbourne
Date: Nov. 14, 2015
Notes: Rousey lost for the first time in her career … considered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history … event set the UFC’s attendance record and was its first outdoor stadium show … Holm won a double bonus for Fight and Performance of the Night.
Jones vs. Cormier I
Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier, UFC 182
Result: Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Event: UFC 192, Las Vegas
Date: Jan. 3, 2015
Notes: Jones defended his light heavyweight title in a bitter rivals bout delayed from UFC 178 … Fight of the Night winner … event was the third longest in UFC history.
Stephens vs. Bermudez
Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez
Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez via TKO (flying knee, punches) – Round 3, 0:32
Event: UFC 189, Las Vegas
Date: July 11, 2015
Notes: Stephens badly missed weight for the fight, so was denied a post-fight bonus for what was arguably the flashiest finish of his career.
Lawler vs. MacDonald 2
Rory MacDonald, referee John McCarthy and Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 in Las Vegas
Result: Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 1:00
Event: UFC 189, Las Vegas
Date: July 11, 2015
Notes: Lawler defended his welterweight title for the first time in a rematch with MacDonald, whom he had beaten less than two years prior by split decision … Fight of the Night winner … most outlets’ Fight of the Year winner for 2015 … inducted into UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2023.
Browne vs. Arlovski
May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Travis Browne (red gloves) and Andei Arlovski (blue gloves) fight during their heavyweight bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Arlovski won via first round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Andrei Arlovski def. Travis Browne via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:41
Event: UFC 187, Las Vegas
Date: May 23, 2015
Notes: Fight of the Night winner
McGregor vs. Mendes
Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Chad Mendes (not pictured) during their interim featherweight title bout during UFC 189 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. McGregor won via second round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Conor McGregor def. Chad Mendes via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:57
Event: UFC 189, Las Vegas
Date: July 11, 2015
Notes: McGregor won the interim featherweight title to set up a title eliminator against Jose Aldo later in the year … Performance of the Night for McGregor … after five decisions to open the show, was the last of six straight stoppages to wrap up one of the year’s biggest events.
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