(Editor’s observe: This story first was printed June 1, 2023. Some data could have been up to date.)
Whether or not we’re speaking about mainstream sports activities, fight sports activities or sports activities leisure, the spectacle of huge athletes lengthy has been a promotional software to assist attract informal crowds and create virtually larger-than-life requirements that helped set the bar to the place it’s as we speak.
It’s why “the baddest man on the planet” is set throughout the heavyweight division and why title fights on playing cards are sometimes prioritized from largest to smallest – until there’s an outlier like Conor McGregor on the cardboard, in fact.
The unlucky byproduct of this conventional format, nonetheless, is that lighter-weight fighters, who sometimes are extra technical and arguably extra entertaining, usually get under-appreciated and typically misplaced within the shuffle.
The truth is, the UFC traditionally has struggled with whichever division falls on the underside of its proverbial totem pole. Whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the UFC’s three failed makes an attempt to ascertain its light-weight division, which now is without doubt one of the deepest divisions occurring twenty years, or its self-induced flyweight purge that began round 2018, the group has not precisely dealt with these divisions with care.
At UFC 310, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja takes on a model new challenger in promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura. Pantoja has two title defenses underneath his belt, and his subsequent problem will likely be a brand new face to the UFC viewers, who has by no means made the flyweight restrict earlier than. Asakura has the prospect to turn out to be an on the spot international star, however will he be capable to deal with the strain?
Till we all know, have a look again at this primary decade of flyweight affairs underneath the UFC banner and my prime 5.
With out additional ado …
5
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji, UFC on ABC 3 (July 16, 2022)
Matt Schnell (purple gloves) and Sumudaerji throughout UFC Struggle Night time at UBS Area (Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports activities)
The UFC matchmakers of as we speak don’t usually permit lighter-weight fighters to open up their predominant playing cards, however males’s flyweight all the time appears to ship when given ample alternative.
This battle between Matt Schnell and Su Mudaerji, for one, was one thing that I’m unsure the ABC Sports activities viewers was prepared for that Saturday afternoon.
The primary spherical was pretty commonplace for a flyweight affair – although it did characteristic Mudaerji countering Schnell’s omoplata try with a candy sidewalk slam that might’ve made Kevin Nash proud.
The second spherical, nonetheless, was an unforgettable storm that Schnell sailed proper into.
Regardless of Schnell’s chin failing him at instances all through his profession, the Fortis MMA product valiantly marched by means of a hellfire of left palms and checking elbows with the intention to stage one of many craziest rallies of 2022 (with a ending scene that provides me flashbacks to Jim Miller’s win over Yancy Medeiros).
In case you missed this unbelievable rally within the UFC yesterday
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji pic.twitter.com/MOs6ZrQpCZ
— The Barber’s Chair Community, LLC (@BarbersChairNet) July 17, 2022
4
Louis Smolka vs. Paddy Holohan, UFC Struggle Night time 76 (Oct. 24, 2015)
Paddy Holohan and Louis Smolka
Coming in on the No. 4 spot is an impromptu flyweight headliner between Louis Smolka and Paddy Holohan that befell in Dublin’s 3Arena.
The cardboard was initially presupposed to be headlined by a light-weight bout between Joe Duffy and Dustin Poirier, however a string of unlucky circumstances led to a stunning highlight on the flyweight division.
Smolka and Holohan – who’re each lengthy and lanky for the load class – ended up spending the vast majority of this battle partaking in a number of the most entertaining scrambles you’ll see from fighters not named Tim Elliott or Joseph Benavidez. That mentioned, Smolka’s propensity to give up small battles with the intention to win the larger ones finally ends up paying off for him right here.
Though Smolka spoiled the proverbial homecoming, the Irish crowd nonetheless gave the Hawaiian his flowers as they picked up their man on the way in which out.
E Louis Smolka devasta Paddy Holohan nel R3 mettendo a tacere tutto il pubblico irlandese. Wow. #UFCsuFOX #UFCDublin pic.twitter.com/Urf3d0VoWz
— Al Zullino (@phre) October 26, 2015
3
Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson 1, UFC on FOX 6 (Jan. 26, 2013)
Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson (USA TODAY Sports activities)
Contemplating I’ve already just lately anointed Johnson’s first battle with [autotag]John Dodson[/autoag] as my favourite from the pound-for-pound king’s catalog in my prime 10 fights that aired on massive FOX, I’ll spare you with any long-winded redundancy right here.
That mentioned, for those who’re a fan of pressuring performances, clinch work or comebacks, then I extremely counsel going again to rewatch this enjoyable five-round affair.
Except for the motion nonetheless growing old properly, it’s arguably when Johnson begins to essentially string his sport collectively whereas displaying an virtually unmatched symbiotic nature along with his coaches and nook.
If any of you may inform me how DJ survived this, please let me know as a result of Dodson teleported out of nowhere right here and caught him as DJ stood sq. with a full energy hook. pic.twitter.com/RXGHgGLMl8
— Dan A. (@TypewritingDA) April 7, 2020
2
Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2, UFC 290 (July 8, 2023)
Regardless of tending to overcorrect the steeringwheel away from recency bias on these lists, there’s no approach that I couldn’t make room for Brandon Moreno’s rematch with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290.
Though this was technically their third assembly, the primary encounter formally went down as an exhibition bout on condition that it befell on The Final Fighter. Pantoja could have been getting into this battle because the challenger, however the Brazilian quietly carried a 2-0 lead of their collection.
That standing, nonetheless, was trying to be lower quick by Moreno after Pantoja seemingly emptied his tank making an attempt to complete the Mexican champion within the first body. However after in some way surviving the second, Pantoja was in a position to dig deep and match Moreno’s power down the stretch.
Brandon Moreno vs Pantoja 2 – Struggle Preview UFC 290 pic.twitter.com/1fJ9TjhfYa
— GIX MMA (@gixMMA) July 11, 2023
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Not solely was this an unbelievable battle that showcased high-level MMA in virtually each part, but it surely was additionally one of many extra emotion-filled matches that come to my reminiscence within the sense that you would see the battle that every combatant was having inside themselves.
This, in fact, was personified in Pantoja’s post-fight speech, the place he revealed the childhood trauma and abandonment that fueled him to take this extremely powerful highway to the highest.
“You happy with me now, Dad?”
That is so deep man. Not many individuals seen or took time to grasp.
Pantoja asks his father who left him & his mom years in the past with nothing, “You happy with me now dad?!” pic.twitter.com/eLvHc5qd4k
— Kota (@kotamarrello) July 9, 2023
1
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot, UFC on FOX 3 (Might 5, 2012)
Every time I put collectively enjoyable lists like these, I try to emphasize that these are merely my prime 5 fights and it’s OK to have a distinct set that displays your tastes.
Nevertheless, regardless of my self-admitted hipster sensibilities, I nonetheless discover myself being drawn to one of many UFC’s first flyweight sights relating to deciding the highest spot on my listing.
Though it wasn’t essentially the most technical and there have been no titles on the road, John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot was primarily flyweight’s model of the primary Jung-Garcia (or Bonnar-Griffin from earlier than it).
The ability that Lineker brings along with his vicious physique punching was palpable by means of the published, flipping over no matter smaller-man stereotypes we could have held prior.
Guadinot, then again, was more than pleased to change and counter, making a stable account of what was to come back from future Tiger Schulmann fighters.
There are many fights which might be greater than justifiable to have forward of this one in your listing, however only a few fights make me really feel the way in which this one does.
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot pic.twitter.com/16v0kpl3go
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) Might 29, 2023
*Honorable mentions: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 1 at UFC 256; Brandon Royval vs. Kai Kara-France at UFC 253; Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo at TUF 24 Finale; Alexandre Pantoja vs. Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 240; Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2 at UFC 227.
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