Tapology All Time Ranking
The Greatest MMA Comebacks of All Time
All-Time Rankings are for the best bouts in MMA history. Tapology users submit their own lists which are combined into consensus rankings. Learn More.
All-Time Comebacks Updated 1 day, 21 hrs ago
Everything can change in the blink of an eye in MMA. A fighter could dominate 14 minutes of a fight only to find themselves the victim of a miraculous comeback submission or knockout. Here is the consensus list of MMA's greatest comebacks. Create YOUR own ranking today.
Rankings
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1
Silva vs. Sonnen
UFC 117
Anderson Silva wins via Submission, Triangle Armbar Aug 2010
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2
Barry vs. Kongo
UFC on Versus 4
Cheick Kongo wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jun 2011
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3
Lesnar vs. Carwin
UFC 116
Brock Lesnar wins via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke Jul 2010
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4
Edgar vs. Maynard II
UFC 125
Ends in a Draw, Split Jan 2011
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5
Emelianenko vs. Randleman
Pride Critical Countdown 2004
Fedor Emelianenko wins via Submission, Kimura Jun 2004
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6
Hughes vs. Trigg II
UFC 52
Matt Hughes wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Apr 2005
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7
Mir vs. Nogueira II
UFC 140
Frank Mir wins via Submission, Kimura Dec 2011
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8
Bektić vs. Elkins
UFC 209
Darren Elkins wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punches Mar 2017
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9
Lewis vs. Volkov
UFC 229
Derrick Lewis wins via KO/TKO, Punches Oct 2018
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10
Smith vs. Sell
The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale
Scott Smith wins via KO/TKO, Punch Nov 2006
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11
Edgar vs. Maynard III
UFC 136
Frankie Edgar wins via KO/TKO, Punches Oct 2011
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12
Okami vs. Boetsch
UFC 144
Tim Boetsch wins via KO/TKO, Punches Feb 2012
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13
McGregor vs. Diaz
UFC 196
Nate Diaz wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Mar 2016
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14
Nogueira vs. Sapp
Pride Shockwave
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira wins via Submission, Armbar Aug 2002
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15
Duffee vs. Russow
UFC 114
Mike Russow wins via KO/TKO, Punch May 2010
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16
Holm vs. Tate
UFC 196
Miesha Tate wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Mar 2016
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17
Jung vs. Rodriguez
UFC Fight Night 139
Yair Rodriguez wins via KO/TKO, Elbow Nov 2018
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18
Ankalaev vs. Craig
UFC Fight Night 127
Paul Craig wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Mar 2018
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19
Lawler vs. Manhoef
Strikeforce
Robbie Lawler wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jan 2010
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20
Nogueira vs. Filipović
Pride Final Conflict 2003
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira wins via Submission, Armbar Nov 2003
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21
MacDonald vs. Condit
UFC 115
Carlos Condit wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jun 2010
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22
Overeem vs. Browne
UFC Fight Night 26
Travis Browne wins via KO/TKO, Front Kick and Punches Aug 2013
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23
Lawler vs. MacDonald II
UFC 189
Robbie Lawler wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jul 2015
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24
Akiyama vs. Leben
UFC 116
Chris Leben wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Jul 2010
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25
Rua vs. Henderson II
UFC Fight Night 38
Dan Henderson wins via KO/TKO, Punches Mar 2014
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26
Le vs. Smith I
Strikeforce
Scott Smith wins via KO/TKO, Punches Dec 2009
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27
Gaethje vs. Johnson
The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale
Justin Gaethje wins via KO/TKO, Punches and Knees Jul 2017
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28
Usman vs. Edwards II
UFC 278
Leon Edwards wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick Aug 2022
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29
Cerrone vs. Guillard
UFC 150
Donald Cerrone wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punch Aug 2012
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30
Leben vs. Martin
UFC Fight Night 11
Chris Leben wins via KO/TKO, Punch Sep 2007
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31
Diaz vs. Gomi
Pride 33
Ends in a No Contest, Overturned by NSAC Feb 2007
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32
Oliveira vs. Chandler
UFC 262
Charles Oliveira wins via KO/TKO, Left Hook to Ground and Pound May 2021
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33
Brandão vs. Bermudez
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
Diego Brandão wins via Submission, Armbar Dec 2011
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34
Mir vs. Lesnar I
UFC 81
Frank Mir wins via Submission, Kneebar Feb 2008
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35
Emelianenko vs. Henderson
Strikeforce
Dan Henderson wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jul 2011
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36
Sylvia vs. Nogueira
UFC 81
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira wins via Submission, Guillotine Choke Feb 2008
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37
Diaz vs. Daley
Strikeforce
Nick Diaz wins via KO/TKO, Punches Apr 2011
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38
Huerta vs. Guida
The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale
Roger Huerta wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Dec 2007
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39
Kennedy vs. Romero
UFC 178
Yoel Romero wins via KO/TKO, Punches Sep 2014
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40
Emelianenko vs. Fujita
Pride 26
Fedor Emelianenko wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Jun 2003
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41
Alves vs. Kampmann
UFC on FX 2
Martin Kampmann wins via Submission, Guillotine Choke Mar 2012
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42
Lombard vs. Magny
UFC Fight Night 85
Neil Magny wins via KO/TKO, Ground and Pound Mar 2016
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43
Leites vs. Hermansson
UFC 224
Jack Hermansson wins via KO/TKO, Ground and Pound May 2018
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44
Silva vs. Bisping
UFC Fight Night 84
Michael Bisping wins via Decision, Unanimous Feb 2016
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45
Sylvia vs. Arlovski II
UFC 59
Tim Sylvia wins via KO/TKO, Punches Apr 2006
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46
Gracie vs. Severn
UFC 4
Royce Gracie wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Dec 1994
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47
Williams vs. Coleman
UFC 17
Pete Williams wins via KO/TKO, Kick to the Head May 1998
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48
Sakuraba vs. Galešić
Dream 12
Kazushi Sakuraba wins via Submission, Kneebar Oct 2009
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49
Hughes vs. Penn II
UFC 63
Matt Hughes wins via KO/TKO, Punches Sep 2006
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50
Morecraft vs. Struve
UFC 117
Stefan Struve wins via KO/TKO, Punches Aug 2010
Ranking Contributors
As Tapology users create their own lists, the consensus rankings will update in real-time. For All-Time Greatest Comebacks, the 200 most-recently updated member lists will be included.
