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The Biggest UFC Superfights That Never Happened
- Austin Jones
- Aug 26, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 4
The Biggest UFC Superfights That Never Happened
In the world of MMA, there are UFC fights that ignite the imagination of fans—matchups that seem destined to be historic, to set records, and to become instant classics.
Yet, despite the buildup and anticipation, some of these superfights never materialized, leaving fans to ponder what could have been.
Here are the biggest UFC superfights that never happened and the reasons why they remain tantalizing “what ifs” in the sport’s history.
1. Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre
Two of the greatest fighters of all time, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre, were at the height of their careers during the same period.
Silva, the long-reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, and GSP, the dominant UFC Welterweight Champion, were both known for their technical prowess and near invincibility in their respective divisions.
Fans and analysts alike speculated about a potential superfight between these two legends, envisioning a battle of striking vs. grappling, speed vs. precision.
However, their fight never materialized due to timing and logistical issues, leaving fans to only imagine what could have been.
However, the fight never came to fruition. St-Pierre's focus on defending his welterweight title and his concerns about moving up in weight, combined with Silva's desire to stay at middleweight, made the logistics difficult.
GSP's eventual hiatus from the sport and Silva's eventual decline further diminished the chances of this dream fight ever happening.
2. Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva
As Jon Jones ascended to greatness in the light heavyweight division, dominating opponents with his unique blend of size, reach, and creativity, fans began to wonder if he could defeat the seemingly unbeatable Anderson Silva.
This potential superfight would have pitted the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history against the greatest middleweight, with both fighters' reputations as tactical geniuses adding even more allure to the matchup.
Despite occasional flirtations with the idea, including Silva expressing interest in the fight, it never materialized. The timing was never right—Silva suffered a devastating leg injury, and Jones faced his own set of legal and personal challenges.
The fight that could have been the ultimate clash of styles and eras remains a fantasy.
3. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar
In the late 2000s, when Brock Lesnar was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, and Fedor Emelianenko was widely regarded as the best heavyweight in the world outside the UFC, the MMA community clamored for a showdown between these two behemoths.
Lesnar's raw power and wrestling credentials versus Fedor's legendary aura and well-rounded skills made for a captivating narrative.
Negotiations between Fedor's management and the UFC were notoriously difficult, with issues ranging from financial demands to co-promotion with Fedor's then-organization, M-1 Global.
Despite UFC President Dana White's best efforts, the deal never got done, and Fedor never stepped foot in the UFC Octagon.
Dana White himself has stated that the biggest missed opportunity in his career was the fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Brock Lesnar. This fight remains one of the biggest missed opportunities in MMA history.
4. Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg
Before the emergence of Amanda Nunes, the MMA world was fixated on the idea of a super clash between Ronda Rousey, the unstoppable armbar queen of the bantamweight division, and Cris Cyborg, the most feared female striker in MMA.
Rousey, considered the brightest star in the UFC during her reign with six title defenses, was at the peak of her career when fans clamored for this fight. The debate raged about whether Rousey could handle Cyborg's power and aggression, or if Cyborg could withstand Rousey's grappling mastery.
The fight never happened, largely due to the weight difference. Cyborg, a natural featherweight, struggled to make the bantamweight limit, and Rousey was unwilling to fight above 135 pounds. Additionally, Rousey's sudden fall from grace after her knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes ended any remaining hopes of this superfight becoming a reality.
5. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson were scheduled to fight an astonishing five times, yet each time, the fight fell through due to a series of unfortunate events—injuries, illnesses, and even a global pandemic.
This matchup was particularly compelling because Ferguson's unorthodox striking, relentless pace, and dangerous ground game seemed tailor-made to challenge Khabib's grappling dominance.
However, Khabib's eventual retirement following his father's passing, combined with Ferguson's decline in performance, dashed any lingering hopes for this long-awaited showdown. Fans will forever wonder how Ferguson's unorthodoxy would have matched up against Khabib's relentless pressure.
6. Conor McGregor vs. José Aldo II
After Conor McGregor’s 13-second knockout victory over José Aldo at UFC 194, a rematch seemed inevitable for Jose Aldo.
Aldo, one of the greatest featherweights of all time, had been unbeaten for a decade, and many believed that the quick knockout didn’t tell the full story of what a longer fight between these two could offer.
The potential for a high-stakes rematch, with Aldo seeking redemption and McGregor aiming to prove his dominance, was sky-high.
However, McGregor’s rapid rise in the UFC led him to pursue other challenges, including his move to lightweight and the eventual boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.
Aldo’s subsequent losses and McGregor’s ventures outside the featherweight division meant the rematch was never seriously pursued, leaving fans to wonder what might have happened if Aldo had gotten another shot.
7. Amanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg
In the realm of women’s MMA, few matchups have generated as much buzz as the potential clash between Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg.
Both fighters were at the pinnacle of their careers, with Nunes reigning supreme as the UFC Bantamweight Champion and Cyborg dominating the Featherweight division. Fans were eager to see if Nunes’ well-rounded skill set could counter Cyborg’s ferocious striking power.
The fight was initially set for UFC 222 in 2018, but Cyborg had to withdraw due to a hand injury. Nunes instead faced Raquel Pennington, securing a TKO victory in the fifth round. The anticipation for the Nunes-Cyborg showdown only grew, and the bout was rescheduled for UFC 232 later that year.
However, Cyborg once again pulled out, this time due to issues with her weight cut. Nunes went on to fight Germaine de Randamie, winning by unanimous decision.
Despite these setbacks, the demand for this dream fight persisted. It was finally slated for UFC 245 in 2019, but Cyborg’s contract dispute with the UFC led to yet another cancellation. Nunes continued her dominance, becoming the first woman in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously.
The Nunes vs. Cyborg fight remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA history. Fans were left to wonder how Nunes’ tactical brilliance would have fared against Cyborg’s relentless aggression. While both fighters continued to build their legacies, the missed opportunity of this superfight still lingers in the minds of MMA enthusiasts.
9. What Could Have Been
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a storied history of tantalizing matchups that, for one reason or another, never came to fruition. From injuries and weight cut issues to contract disputes and doping suspensions, the reasons for these cancellations are as varied as the fighters themselves.
Yet, the allure of these dream fights continues to captivate fans, fueling endless debates and speculation.
Similarly, the prospect of Jon Jones facing off against Francis Ngannou had fans on the edge of their seats. Jones, with his unparalleled skill set and tactical acumen, versus Ngannou, with his terrifying knockout power, was a matchup made in MMA heaven. However, contractual disagreements and other hurdles prevented this dream fight from becoming a reality.
These missed opportunities serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts. While the UFC has delivered countless memorable bouts, the superfights that never happened often loom largest in the minds of fans. The “what ifs” of these matchups continue to spark discussions, as fans imagine the epic battles that could have taken place in the UFC octagon.
The UFC has delivered countless memorable fights, but the superfights that never happened often loom largest in the minds of fans. These missed matchups represent the unpredictability and impermanence of MMA, where timing, circumstances, and the whims of fate play as much of a role as the fighters themselves. While we'll never know how these superfights would have played out, their potential will continue to fuel debates and discussions for years to come.