When it comes to the UFC, there’s nothing quite like a heated rivalry to get fans on the edge of their seats. Sure, we all tune in for the knockouts and submissions, but it’s the bad blood and the personal grudges that take things to a whole new level. Whether it’s years of trash talk building up to an epic showdown or two fighters simply not being able to stand the sight of each other, rivalries are what fuel some of the most memorable moments inside (and outside) the octagon.

The matched betting experts at ProfitDuel have explored the biggest rivalries in UFC history, breaking down the intense clashes and iconic moments that have defined the sport.

Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones

The rivalry between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones is one of the most infamous in UFC history, and it all started with a simple face-off. In 2010, the two crossed paths backstage at an event, where a brief exchange of words sparked tension. Cormier, a decorated Olympic wrestler, felt disrespected by the younger, more brash Jones, and from there, the rivalry only intensified.

By 2014, the feud had escalated into full-blown animosity, with the two trading verbal jabs and physical altercations, most notably during their infamous brawl at a UFC press event. Their first fight at UFC 182 in 2015 saw Jones outclass Cormier, securing a unanimous decision win. But Jones’ victory was overshadowed by personal issues, including a suspension for a hit-and-run incident, which left Cormier to claim the vacated light heavyweight title.

The rivalry reignited in 2017 at UFC 214, with Jones finishing Cormier via knockout. However, the result was overturned when Jones tested positive for banned substances, further fueling the tension between them. Though their feud never officially concluded in the octagon, Jones’ dominance and Cormier’s eventual retirement brought an unofficial end to one of the UFC’s most heated rivalries.

Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov

The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most intense and personal feuds in UFC history. It all began when Khabib, a dominant, undefeated grappler, started climbing the lightweight ranks, eventually winning the title in 2018 after McGregor had been stripped for inactivity. McGregor, never one to let something like that slide, quickly set his sights on Khabib.

Tensions exploded in April 2018 when McGregor infamously threw a dolly through a bus window at a UFC media event, targeting Khabib after a confrontation between Khabib and McGregor’s teammate, Artem Lobov. The bad blood continued to boil, with McGregor hurling personal insults at Khabib leading up to their highly anticipated fight at UFC 229 in October 2018.

The fight itself was dominated by Khabib, who submitted McGregor in the fourth round, but the drama didn’t end there. After the victory, Khabib leapt over the cage to attack McGregor’s corner, sparking an all-out brawl both inside and outside the octagon. The chaos resulted in fines and suspensions, cementing the rivalry as one of the ugliest in UFC history.

Though McGregor has expressed interest in a rematch, Khabib retired in 2020, leaving this rivalry unfinished but unforgettable.

Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz

The rivalry between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz is one of the UFC’s earliest and most iconic feuds, shaping the light heavyweight division in the early 2000s. The tension began when both fighters were training partners and friends, but things changed when Liddell started rising in the rankings, and a title fight between them became inevitable. Ortiz, who was then the reigning champion, refused to fight Liddell, citing their friendship. Liddell, however, saw it differently, feeling Ortiz was avoiding the fight to protect his title.

The animosity continued to build until UFC 47 in 2004 when they finally faced off. Liddell knocked Ortiz out in the second round, cementing himself as the top contender. The bad blood didn’t end there, though. Ortiz accused Liddell of poking him in the eye during the fight, sparking even more tension between them.

Their rematch at UFC 66 in 2006 saw Liddell once again win via TKO, defending his light heavyweight title and further solidifying his dominance over Ortiz. Though they fought a third time in 2018, years after their primes, their rivalry was most significant during the early days of the UFC, helping bring the sport into the mainstream spotlight.

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen

The rivalry between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen started largely due to the stark contrast between the two fighters’ personalities and the drama that unfolded inside the octagon. It all kicked off when Sonnen, known for his trash-talking and brash persona, relentlessly targeted Silva, the dominant middleweight champion who had been virtually untouchable during his reign.

Leading up to their first fight at UFC 117 in 2010, Sonnen verbally attacked Silva at every opportunity, claiming Silva was overrated and that he would easily dethrone him. In the fight, Sonnen backed up his words for almost five rounds, dominating Silva with his wrestling and ground control. But just when it seemed like Sonnen would pull off the upset, Silva pulled out a miraculous triangle armbar submission in the final minutes of the fifth round, cementing his legacy with one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history.

The rivalry didn’t end there, though. Sonnen continued to provoke Silva, leading to a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 148 in 2012. This time, Silva knocked Sonnen out in the second round, definitively ending their feud. While Sonnen never got the last word inside the octagon, the rivalry remains legendary for its drama, trash talk, and the unexpected twists it delivered.

Ronda Rousey vs Miesha Tate

The rivalry between Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate is one of the fiercest in women’s MMA, helping to elevate the sport to new heights. It all started back in 2012 when Rousey, known for her devastating armbar submissions, burst onto the scene and quickly set her sights on Tate, who was the reigning Strikeforce bantamweight champion at the time. Rousey’s confidence and bold trash-talking rubbed Tate the wrong way, creating an intense build-up to their first fight.

At Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey, the tension was at an all-time high. Rousey lived up to her hype, submitting Tate with her signature armbar in the first round to capture the title. Tate, however, refused to let the loss put an end to their feud, and the animosity only grew from there, especially as both women became coaches on The Ultimate Fighter in 2013. Their on-screen clashes gave fans an even closer look at just how deep the rivalry ran.

The rematch took place at UFC 168 in 2013, and while Tate put up a much tougher fight this time, Rousey again won by armbar in the third round. Although Tate never got her revenge inside the octagon, their rivalry remains a cornerstone of women’s MMA.