Tapology All Time Ranking
The Biggest MMA Upsets 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 Upsets Updated 1 hour, 33 mins ago
MMA is too unpredictable to ever count anyone out. Still, some bouts rise above all others as the most shocking upsets in the history of the sport. Here is the consensus list of MMA's greatest upsets. Create YOUR own ranking today.
Rankings
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1
Serra vs. St. Pierre I
UFC 69
Matt Serra wins via KO/TKO, Punches Apr 2007
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2
Rousey vs. Holm
UFC 193
Holly Holm wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punches Nov 2015
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3
Silva vs. Weidman
UFC 162
Chris Weidman wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jul 2013
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4
Nunes vs. Peña
UFC 269
Julianna Peña wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Dec 2021
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5
Rockhold vs. Bisping II
UFC 199
Michael Bisping wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jun 2016
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6
Emelianenko vs. Werdum
Strikeforce
Fabrício Werdum wins via Submission, Triangle Armbar Jun 2010
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7
Barão vs. Dillashaw
UFC 173
T.J. Dillashaw wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punches May 2014
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8
McGregor vs. Diaz
UFC 196
Nate Diaz wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Mar 2016
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9
Jędrzejczyk vs. Namajunas
UFC 217
Rose Namajunas wins via KO/TKO, Punches Nov 2017
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10
Gonzaga vs. Filipović
UFC 70
Gabriel Gonzaga wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick Apr 2007
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11
Usman vs. Edwards II
UFC 278
Leon Edwards wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick Aug 2022
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12
Penn vs. Edgar I
UFC 112
Frankie Edgar wins via Decision, Unanimous Apr 2010
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13
Griffin vs. Rua I
UFC 76
Forrest Griffin wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Sep 2007
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14
Sokoudjou vs. Nogueira
Pride 33
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou wins via KO/TKO, Punch Feb 2007
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15
Johnson vs. Cejudo II
UFC 227
Henry Cejudo wins via Decision, Split Aug 2018
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16
Couture vs. Sylvia
UFC 68
Randy Couture wins via Decision, Unanimous Mar 2007
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17
Randleman vs. Filipović I
Pride Total Elimination 2004
Kevin Randleman wins via KO/TKO, Punches Apr 2004
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18
Penn vs. Hughes I
UFC 46
BJ Penn wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Jan 2004
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19
Lauzon vs. Pulver
UFC 63
Joe Lauzon wins via KO/TKO, Punch Sep 2006
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20
Chonan vs. Silva
Pride Shockwave 2004
Ryo Chonan wins via Submission, Flying Scissor Heel Hook Dec 2004
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21
Cruz vs. Garbrandt
UFC 207
Cody Garbrandt wins via Decision, Unanimous Dec 2016
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22
Cyborg vs. Nunes
UFC 232
Amanda Nunes wins via KO/TKO, Punches Dec 2018
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23
Griffin vs. Jackson
UFC 86
Forrest Griffin wins via Decision, Unanimous Jul 2008
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24
Ortiz vs. Bader
UFC 132
Tito Ortiz wins via Submission, Guillotine Choke Jul 2011
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25
Diaz vs. Gomi
Pride 33
Ends in a No Contest, Overturned by NSAC Feb 2007
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26
Adesanya vs. Strickland
UFC 293
Sean Strickland wins via Decision, Unanimous Sep 2023
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27
Brown vs. Faber I
WEC 36
Mike Brown wins via KO/TKO, Punches Nov 2008
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28
Slice vs. Petruzelli
EliteXC
Seth Petruzelli wins via KO/TKO, Punches Oct 2008
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29
Emelianenko vs. Henderson
Strikeforce
Dan Henderson wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jul 2011
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30
Liddell vs. Evans
UFC 88
Rashad Evans wins via KO/TKO, Punch Sep 2008
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31
Overeem vs. Silva
UFC 156
Antônio Silva wins via KO/TKO, Punches Feb 2013
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32
Emelianenko vs. Silva
Strikeforce
Antônio Silva wins via KO/TKO, Doctor Stoppage Feb 2011
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33
Takase vs. Silva
Pride 26
Daiju Takase wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Jun 2003
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34
Jardine vs. Liddell
UFC 76
Keith Jardine wins via Decision, Split Sep 2007
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35
Pettis vs. dos Anjos
UFC 185
Rafael dos Anjos wins via Decision, Unanimous Mar 2015
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36
Holm vs. Tate
UFC 196
Miesha Tate wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Mar 2016
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37
Velasquez vs. Werdum
UFC 188
Fabrício Werdum wins via Submission, Guillotine Choke Jun 2015
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38
Pulver vs. Penn I
UFC 35
Jens Pulver wins via Decision, Majority Jan 2002
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40
Agapova vs. Dobson
UFC Fight Night
Shana Dobson wins via KO/TKO, Ground and Pound Aug 2020
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39
Mousasi vs. Hall
UFC Fight Night 75
Uriah Hall wins via KO/TKO, Spinning Back Kick and Punches Sep 2015
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41
Henderson vs. Shields
Strikeforce
Jake Shields wins via Decision, Unanimous Apr 2010
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42
Lawal vs. Newton
Bellator 90
Emanuel Newton wins via KO/TKO, Spinning Backfist Feb 2013
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43
Jung vs. Hominick
UFC 140
Chan Sung Jung wins via KO/TKO, Punches Dec 2011
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44
dos Santos vs. Werdum
UFC 90
Junior dos Santos wins via KO/TKO, Punches Oct 2008
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45
Barboza vs. Varner
UFC 146
Jamie Varner wins via KO/TKO, Punches May 2012
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46
Barber vs. Modafferi
UFC 246
Roxanne Modafferi wins via Decision, Unanimous Jan 2020
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47
Fitch vs. Hendricks
UFC 141
Johny Hendricks wins via KO/TKO, Punch Dec 2011
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48
Guillard vs. Lauzon
UFC 136
Joe Lauzon wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Oct 2011
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49
Shevchenko vs. Grasso
UFC 285
Alexa Grasso wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Mar 2023
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50
Thiago vs. Koscheck
UFC 95
Paulo Thiago wins via KO/TKO, Punches Feb 2009