The world of mixed martial arts is known for its brutal attacks and resilient fighters, but the bloodiest UFC fights ever fought are downright horrific. While the octagon cage has onsite doctors ready to jump in and inspect each opponent that has been knocked out severely, most times the battles continue, resulting in nasty bloodbaths and open wounds. As the UFC expanded its popularity over the past two decades, the contestants increased their skill level, morphing into multi-disciplined martial arts masters. Last month we published an article on the 5 best UFC fighters of all time some of whom also took part in a bloody fight or two. However, in this list we’ll be focusing on the throws and blows that covered the octagon in blood, making the crowd go wild and exasperate with tension. These fights are definitely certain and painful ways of getting yourselves ultimately killed. So, here’s our compilation of the six bloodiest UFC fights ever.
6. Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
UFC 74 – 8/25/07
Back in 2007, the 29-year old Gabriel Gonzaga went into a legendary face-off with Randy Couture, who was then 44 years old. Against all odds, this heavyweight championship match had Gonzaga bleeding out of his nose in the first three minutes of the first round, due to a precise strike from Couture. Barely three rounds into the match, Gonzaga’s blood flow hindered him from breathing and seeing, resulting in a win for Couture.
5. Sean Sherk vs. Kenny Florian
UFC 64 – 10/14/06
In this lightweight championship match a very new Kenny Florian, who was only eight fights into his career and entered the arena dressed as a Samurai, confronted Sean Sherk in what would be one of the bloodiest matches in UFC history. After a ferocious uppercut from Florian, Sherk proceeded to dominate the fight, wrestling his opponent in the top position, whilst bleeding all over him. Sherk won the match, but suffered through his open wound during the entire match.
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4. Joe Stevenson vs. Yves Edwards
UFC 61 – 7/8/06
While the first round of this match had both fighters shifting around the octagon, throwing kicks and punches, everything changed when Stevenson used his elbows to attack from the top. In a matter of seconds, Edwards’ face was covered in blood from the cut. After doctors checked his wound before the ten minute mark, the fight concluded that same round, with a red tainted floor.
3. Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon
UFC 155 – 12/29/12
In what is considered to be 2012’s most brutal championship match, Miller and Lauzon really demonstrated how tough they could be. In the first round, Miller swung with all he had at Lauzon, cutting his right eyebrow and the top of his head, which proceeded to bleed continuously as Miller pinned him down. However, shortly after, Lauzon recovered the top position, giving Miller a taste of his fury and leaving several cuts. Lauzon also received several more strikes to his left eye, resulting in Miller’s victory and stitches for the brave warrior.
2. Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva
UFC 146 – 05/26/12
One of the most recent bloodbaths took place during the 2012 heavyweight championship match between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva. However, Silva never stood a chance against the raging Velasquez, who pinned him down and started pounding his face after merely one minute. What followed almost made us feel pity for Silva, as he took every blow to his blood-covered face until minute 3:36, when the fight was concluded in favour of Velasquez.
1. BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson
UFC 80 – 01/19/08
BJ Penn clearly showed what he was made of throughout this fight and asserted his dominance over Stevenson in a matter of seconds. At the end of the first round, a well-placed elbow sliced open Stevenson’s brow, resulting in blood spurting everywhere. However, the juicy part of the match occurred in the next round – after Stevenson had been put back together by the UFC doctors – when Penn lunged for his back, chocking him out so ferociously that blood starting shooting straight out of Stevenson’s wound. The match became iconic and so did the fighters.
