Holly Holm turned the sporting world on its head by knocking out Ronda Rousey in front of more than 56,000 Australian fans at UFC 193.
The face of the UFC was no match for Holm’s disciplined striking as the massive underdog captured the championship. In honour of the historic upset, here’s a look back at five other monumental underdog victories in MMA.
Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre – UFC 69 (April 7, 2007)
Forever tied to St-Pierre’s legacy will be the epic upset Serra pulled on him. Serra became the largest underdog winner in UFC history at the time. The former lightweight won The Ultimate Fighter 4 to earn a title shot at the newly crowned St-Pierre, who had just knocked out Matt Hughes in spectacular fashion to claim the belt. Not many gave Serra a chance as the Canadian looked to be on his way to a dominant title reign. Serra wasn’t intimidated by the task at hand. The New Yorker found St-Pierre’s chin early in the first round and relentlessly pursued the knockout until he got the finish. St-Pierre would later exact his revenge in their rematch at the first UFC event in Canada.
Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva – UFC 162 (July 6, 2013)
Weidman was a relative unknown compared to the indomitable Anderson Silva. Many fighters like St-Pierre picked Weidman to win, but Silva still had that aura of invincibility. Silva resorted to his usual antics during the fight as he taunted Weidman in a striking exchange. Despite being hit several times, Silva insisted on leaving himself exposed. Weidman would connect flush a left hand to Silva’s jaw and just like that there was a new middleweight champion.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Fedor Emelianenko – Strikeforce (June 18, 2011)
Fedor was regarded as the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history. The former Pride champion was virtually unbeaten for a decade having even knocked out former UFC champions Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski. Werdum at the time was a UFC castoff and although he was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion was not seen as a legitimate threat to Fedor. Werdum, now the UFC’s heavyweight champion, capitalized on an overly aggressive Fedor as he snatched his arm and submitted him with a deep triangle-armbar. Fedor was handed his first loss in a decade and his legacy was tarnished.
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn – UFC 112 (April 10, 2010)
Penn will forever be known as one of the sport’s most dominant fighters. He was unbeaten at lightweight for eight years and was the undisputed champion. Edgar was a journeyman fighter with little fanfare. Penn was expected to run through Edgar but his attack was stifled and Edgar earned a decision win. The result was so unbelievable – and somewhat controversial — an immediate rematch was scheduled. Penn was again a substantial favourite, but Edgar would make a bigger statement by putting on the best performance of his career as he outperformed “The Prodigy” to defend his title.
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao – UFC 173 (May 24, 2014)
The cloak of invincibility lasts only for so long and the former UFC bantamweight champion found that out the hard way. The Brazilian was unbeaten for 10 years and coming off a second win over former WEC champion, Urijah Faber, when he took on his Faber’s disciple, Dillashaw, who was still considered a prospect. What most expected was a straightforward win for Barao but Dillashaw opened eyes and dropped jaws by putting on a five-round striking clinic. Dillashaw confounded the champion with nifty footwork and movement and finished him off late in the fifth to become the division’s new alpha.
Honourable mentions: B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes I, Sokoudjou vs. Antonio Rogerio Noguiera, Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko Cro Cop, Seth Petruzelli vs. Kimbo Slice, Forrest Griffin vs. Shogun Rua