Key Points
- The Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy is one of the biggest in UFC history. Each fighter won one before Miocic won the last.
- Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture trilogy had two of the all-time greats and established Liddell as the king of the light heavyweights.
- Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock trilogy was more about the rivalry than the fights, with Ortiz winning all three.
- It was not a title fight trilogy, but Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor had a lot of hype and viewership. Each fighter won one, and fans wanted a third to settle the score.
The Best Trilogies In UFC History
There have been many trilogies that have thrilled mixed martial arts fans worldwide. But the Ringside Report Network has picked these as the five best trilogies in UFC history. These trilogies are still the most significant and impactful in UFC history. These trilogies were fan favourites and have had a lasting impact on a fighter’s legacy. Each fight in these trilogies was a chapter in a fighter’s career with moments that sealed their place in MMA history.
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Trilogy fights have been key marketing tools, drawing viewers with their storylines and emotional investment. They create a unique atmosphere that resonates with the audience. Over time, the evolution of trilogy fights has mirrored the growth of the UFC itself, from rematches to epic sagas that define and distinguish the promotion.
Memorable moments in trilogy fights, such as a knockout or a technical grappling display, have become part of mixed martial arts lore. These high-stakes fights are wrestling-focused shows that often exceed expectations and get star ratings that reflect their importance. They unite the community and make fans feel like they are part of history.
Stipe Miocic wins the trilogy.
1. Stipe Miocic Vs. Daniel Cormier
Among the many UFC trilogies, the heavyweight fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier stands out due to the momentum shifts and championship implications. The trilogy had great stand-up exchanges and showcased wrestling mastery, with each fighter imposing their will on the ground at key moments.
- Trilogy significance: The Miocic vs. Cormier trilogy will always be part of UFC history and gave the heavyweight division some of its most memorable moments.
- Impact on fighter legacies: Each fight was a chapter in both men’s careers, with Miocic cementing his place as a heavyweight GOAT. Cormier’s career was celebrated for his ability to compete in multiple weight classes.
- Evolution of trilogy fights: This trilogy showed the evolution of trilogy fights where marketing and competition merged perfectly and set a new standard for what fans can expect from combat storytelling.
They adapted and adjusted over the three fights, and that’s a credit to their high-level wrestling skills. Grappling and clinch work were key, and Miocic’s adjustments in the second fight got him star ratings from the grappling community. The trilogy was a shared experience for the fans to celebrate athletic achievement and the warrior spirit, so we included it in our 5 Best Trilogies in UFC History.
Chuck Liddell beats Randy Couture in the third fight
2. Chuck Liddell Vs. Randy Couture
Often considered one of the greatest trilogies in mixed martial arts, the Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture rivalry was the golden era of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. The Liddell Couture trilogy had iconic fights, creating a sense of community and shared history. The trilogy is bigger than just the belt and shaping division legacies, and we couldn’t leave it out of our 5 Best Trilogies in UFC History.
Their first fight at UFC 43 saw Couture, the ultimate wrestler, use his grappling skills to get the third-round TKO and leave fans in awe of his strategy. But Liddell’s comeback wins in UFC 52 and UFC 57, both by KO, showed his growth as a fighter and how he adapted his takedown defence and striking to overcome Couture’s wrestling. Those wins earned Liddell star ratings and cemented his position as a sports legend.
Each fight was a clinic in strategy and adaptation, with Liddell and Couture pushing each other to the limit. The trilogy left an indelible mark on the light heavyweight division, and both fighters’ careers are forever linked through it. The ripples of their fights are still being felt and influencing how athletes approach the mental and physical aspects of the sport.
Tito Ortiz beats Ken Shamrock in their fun trilogy
3. Tito Ortiz Vs. Ken Shamrock
Tito Ortiz won all three fights against Ken Shamrock, but the trilogy is remembered for its rivalry and how it got the attention of the entire MMA world. The significance of this rivalry was big and went beyond the sport and pulled in a broader audience. Each fight had memorable moments, from Ortiz’s ground and pound to Shamrock’s refusal to quit. The impact on their legacies was huge, with Ortiz cementing his champion status and Shamrock solidifying his place as an MMA pioneer. It was a tough call, but we included it in our 5 Best Trilogies in UFC History.
The trilogy had:
- Trilogy fight strategies: Ortiz’s wrestling and ground control vs Shamrock’s experience and submissions.
- Promotion impact: The rivalry’s trash talk and confrontations during promotions helped raise the UFC’s profile in its early days.
- Memorable moments: Ortiz’s post-fight antics and Shamrock’s toughness created imagery that’s still talked about among UFC fans.
For fans looking for a sense of community, the Ortiz Shamrock trilogy was a unifying event, a shared history that showed MMA’s raw emotion and competitive spirit.
4. Georges St-Pierre Vs. Matt Hughes
Georges St-Pierre’s path to MMA greatness was marked by his trilogy with Matt Hughes, another welterweight legend. This series of fights showed the technical growth of both fighters. They had a big legacy impact on the sport as each fight added to the legend of both fighters, so we included them in our 5 Best Trilogies in UFC History.
- Trilogy significance: Each fight was a turning point in the welterweight division, with St-Pierre’s wins, especially in the 2nd and 3rd fights, solidifying his position as the top dog and passing the torch to Hughes.
- Memorable moments: Hughes’ armbar in the 1st fight, St-Pierre’s head kick and TKO in the 2nd and GSP’s armbar in the 3rd are UFC history.
- Wrestling mastery: Both fighters showed great wrestling, and GSP’s ability to adapt and overcome Hughes’ grappling in the second and third fights was a superstar performance and brilliant strategy.
This trilogy wasn’t just about wins and losses, pursuing greatness, and the competitive spirit. The UFC trilogy rivalries are built on these stories, and fans love to see legends made in the Octagon.
Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos in their 2nd fight at UFC 155
5. Cain Velasquez Vs. Junior Dos Santos
Resilience personified the heavyweight trilogy between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. This was a big fight that shaped the division. The legacy of their fights is huge, with each fight etching its name in UFC history. Velasquez’s trilogy dominance was established in the 2nd and 3rd fights after losing the 1st and showed a mix of power and wrestling that was too much for dos Santos.
The trilogy had memorable moments, especially Velasquez’s takedowns and ground-and-pound, which won him the rematches. This heavyweight rivalry showed the importance of having a well-rounded skill set at the division’s top. Velasquez’s 5-star wrestling performance showed how grappling can be the difference maker in the second and third fights.
In the eyes of the fans, this trilogy symbolizes the will and determination of the best in the sport. The Velasquez and dos Santos trilogy features dramatic turnarounds and physical chess matches. It is a part of UFC history and a story of rivalry and respect that the community loves.
Trilogies That Can Happen
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Alexander Volkanovski’s trilogy with Max Holloway has made both fighters top contenders in the featherweight division. Volkanovski has the 1-2 advantage in their head-to-head matches. The significance of the featherweight trilogy can’t be overstated, as it has shaped the division and shown the best technical and tactical fighting.
- Holloway’s Redemption: Volkanovski vs. Holloway trilogy
- Tactical adjustments: Holloway’s strategy in trilogy fights
- Volkanovski’s dominance: Breaking down his wins over Holloway
Volkanovski’s dominance was shown in their fights, especially in his wrestling, which got high star ratings for control and adjustments. Holloway’s redemption story in the trilogy was a story of resilience, with each fight requiring tactical adjustments. The Blessed Express changed his strategy to counter Volkanovski’s pressure and grappling, especially in the striking.
The trilogy decider is still speculative, but it’s a hot topic of discussion, with fans and analysts predicting a third fight. This matchup is the essence of competition, brotherhood, and belonging as both warriors fight for supremacy in a division they helped shape.
Is a 3rd Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor fight possible?
Nate Diaz Vs. Conor McGregor
The rivalry between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor is one of UFC history’s most exciting non-title trilogies. Each fighter has a win, and fans are waiting for the deciding third fight. The fight analysis of Diaz vs. McGregor is a clash of styles, with Diaz’s high-volume boxing and ground game against McGregor’s precision striking and movement.
Diaz’s win in their first fight sent shockwaves through the division, challenged the invincibility of the then-featherweight champion, and set up a historic rematch. The trilogy was amplified in their second fight, as McGregor’s redemption with a majority decision showed he could adjust and overcome.
Fans are asking: Will there be a 3rd Diaz-McGregor fight? The desire to see this rivalry play out is deep in the MMA community, as both fighters’ careers are tied to the outcome.
How this trilogy will shape Diaz and McGregor’s careers is up for debate. A 3rd fight could be a legacy moment for McGregor to cement his status as a tough competitor or for Diaz to be the ultimate foil to McGregor’s career.
Other Trilogies That Can Happen
As the UFC moves forward, emerging rivalries are brewing for future trilogies that can match the classics we’ve seen. Fans of grappling and the chess match of wrestling can look forward to these potential fights that will show technical skills and heart.
Potential heavyweight trilogies like Miocic vs. Ngannou will be a mix of power and wrestling defence. The lightweight division trilogy fights might be Poirier vs. Gaethje with non-stop pace and scrambling that will keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
Middleweight trilogies will feature technical grappling exchanges and submission threats. Unexplored trilogies in the welterweight division, like Usman vs. Covington, will be a wrestling control and pressure clinic, sticking to the fundamentals.
Other weight classes have trilogy prospects with new matchups and the chance to create new legends in mixed martial arts. Each fight, from flyweight to heavyweight, will unite the fans in anticipation and respect for the fighters’ skills and guts.
Frequently Asked Questions
These trilogies are memorable not only for the fights but also for the storylines and rivalries. Here are a few:
How do fighter weight classes and size differences affect the trilogy?
In trilogy fights, size and reach advantage can dictate striking range. Weight cutting affects endurance, can create a strength disparity, and forces fighters to adjust strategically over 2 fights.
What mental factors come into play for a fighter facing the same opponent for the 3rd time, and how do they prepare mentally?
In the third fight, a fighter’s mindset must show mental toughness and emotional control to reduce anticipatory stress and performance pressure. This allows the fighter to execute strategy and performance in the octagon and win.
How has the availability of fight analytics and video studies changed how fighters prepare for trilogy fights?
The increased availability of fight analytics and video study has significantly elevated the strategic evolution in MMA. Data-driven training and recognition of predictive fight patterns have become crucial for preparing for high-stakes rematches.
What Role Do Coaches and Training Camps Play in a Fighter’s Ability to Adjust and Evolve Throughout a Trilogy?
Coaches significantly influence a fighter’s progression. Camp dynamics enable technique refinement, effective injury management, and crucial corner adjustments, fostering a sense of community and belonging among fighters striving for continuous improvement.
How Do the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and Potential Changes to Them Over Time Affect the Rematches in Trilogy Fights?
Rule revisions and refined judging criteria can reshape rematches, while glove design developments, injury management improvements, and timekeeping tweaks also transform trilogy fights, fostering a feeling of fellowship among fans following the fighters’ journeys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our list of the five Best Trilogies in UFC History that have taken place in the UFC have created a rich tapestry in the sport’s history. These trilogies have showcased technical mastery, strategic evolution, and indomitable spirit. Each trilogy is a testament to the fighters’ legacy, the sport’s growth, and the ongoing drama that defines mixed martial arts. These rivalry, resilience, and redemption stories have shaped the divisions and etched unforgettable narratives into the bedrock of combat sports folklore.
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