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The Bloodiest MMA Fights of All Time
MMA is a sport that blends technique, endurance, and sheer toughness. But sometimes, a fight turns into an all-out war, leaving the cage soaked in blood. Over the years, we've witnessed some of the bloodiest battles in MMA history—fights where warriors refused to quit despite gruesome injuries. Here are the bloodiest mm fights that left an unforgettable mark on the sport.
1. Joe Stevenson vs. B.J. Penn (UFC 80)
When Joe Stevenson faced B.J. Penn for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 80, fans expected fireworks. What they got was one of the bloodiest fights in MMA history. Early in the fight, Penn opened a deep cut on Stevenson’s forehead with an elbow. Blood poured down Stevenson's face like a faucet, covering the canvas. Despite his toughness, Stevenson eventually succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the second round, his face a crimson mask.
2. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 (UFC 189)
This fight is considered one of the greatest in UFC history, and also one of the bloodiest. Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald engaged in an absolute war for the UFC Welterweight Championship. By the later rounds, both fighters were covered in blood—MacDonald's nose shattered, Lawler's lip split wide open. The staredown at the end of round four remains one of the most iconic moments in MMA. Lawler finished MacDonald in the fifth round, leaving the Octagon looking like a crime scene.
3. Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 229)
When two of the most exciting strikers in the UFC met, the result was pure violence. Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis put on a war that had fans on the edge of their seats. Ferguson’s relentless pressure forced Pettis into wild exchanges, and soon, blood was pouring from both fighters. Pettis suffered a broken hand and his corner called the fight after the second round, but not before the Octagon was painted red with their blood.
4. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar 1 (TUF 1 Finale)
While not the bloodiest fight on this list, it was one of the most significant. The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Finale saw Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar go to war for three rounds, bleeding from head to toe as they brawled non-stop. The fight was so brutal and entertaining that UFC President Dana White awarded both men contracts. Their blood-soaked battle helped put the UFC on the map, changing the sport forever.
5. Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis (UFC 312)
Sean Strickland is known for his toughness, but his fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 showcased it to an extreme level. Strickland suffered a badly broken nose in the middle of the fight, yet instead of showing weakness, he simply pushed it back into place and kept fighting. The five-round war was a bloody spectacle, with Strickland absorbing heavy damage but refusing to back down. In the end, Du Plessis won via unanimous decision, but Strickland’s sheer grit and refusal to quit made this one of the bloodiest and most memorable fights out of all in MMA history.
FIGHT.TV Is Here For It!
MMA is a brutal sport, and while fans love technique and skill, there’s no denying the visceral excitement of a bloody war. These fights stand out not just for the sheer amount of blood spilled, but for the heart, grit, and determination displayed by the fighters. Whether it’s a deep cut, a broken nose, or a blood-soaked canvas, these battles remain etched in MMA history as some of the most unforgettable moments the sport has ever seen. FIGHT.TV is here for it!