Reflecting on the best moments in life always brings a smile to our hearts. So, why not relive the thrilling highlights of UFC that never failed to excite us throughout this year? The UFC is not just about the blood and pain inside the octagon; it’s an emotional battle that has forged unique identities for many individuals. As a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition, the UFC utilizes multiple techniques, requiring fighters to showcase a high skill level. Beyond the sport, the UFC and its fighters have taught us valuable life lessons. The resilience shown by our heroes as they return after a significant defeat demonstrates the tenacity of life. Additionally, the mental strength that enables fighters to remain steadfast until the end imparts a crucial lesson. Thus, the UFC, as a form of Mixed Martial Arts, represents discipline, consistency, perseverance, and more.
For passionate fans, honouring the highs and lows of our champions is very important. These moments are great pride for the sport and its warriors. It’s not just about cherishing the joyful past but also acknowledging those challenging moments that fuelled our heroes to return to the octagon with even greater determination. So, this article will explain in detail all the knockouts and submissions, along with the best and worst moments of the year.
Best Moments of UFC in 2024
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, as usual, never failed to stay exciting with its interesting clashes this year. However, the number of UFC fights in 2024 was lower than in previous years. The year 2024 featured about 42 events, presenting 517 fights. From these UFC showdowns, let’s quickly break down the fights showcasing the year’s best moments.
- Max Hollway vs. Justin Gaethje:
In the lightweight division, the UFC 300 featured two legends, Holloway and Justin Gaethje. This battle, which took place in April 2024, left many unforgettable moments for UFC fans. The final moments of the fifth round of this battle still stand out in the memory of many fans, where Holloway delivered a massive knockout. That ferocious blow from Holloway sent Gaethje to the ground without any delay. Even after months, this fight remains one of the most talked-about bouts in UFC history.
- Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill:
The same UFC 300 showdown, which featured a battle between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill, also witnessed tremendous moments. In that battle, Alex Pereira, who was defending his light heavyweight champion title, delivered a mighty blow that hurt Hill’s chin, causing him to break down. Ultimately, Pereira secured the victory, marking his first successful title defense. This fight remains a leading event in Pereira’s career and UFC history.
- Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier:
The title defense matchup between the two top players, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier, marked another remarkable show of the year. Both fighters are not new to showcasing their skills and have exhibited powerful moves. The fifth round of this fight featured Islam Makhachev to take the victory over Poirier through submission. Despite the loss, Dustin Poirier also gave a brilliant and arduous struggle for his opponent. Hence, this exotic battle kept the UFC fans sitting at the edge of their seats until the very end of the battle.
Besides these matchups, the UFC marathon in 2024 showcased many talents and skills that shone around the octagon. A few matchups included UFC 305, which featured Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya, and UFC 308, featuring Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai. In addition to these big fights, individuals like Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili made the year even more extraordinary.
UFC 2024 Top Fighters:
With their immense skill and solid attitude, UFC fighters have earned their positions in the rankings. The 2024 UFC season has showcased the top fighters, ranked based on their match records and overall performance. Let’s take a quick look at the UFC fighters who ended 2024 in the top spots in men’s divisions:
| Division | Fighter |
| Men’s Pound-for-Pound | Islam Makhachev |
| Flyweight | Alexandre Pantoja |
| Bantamweight | Merab Dvalishvili |
| Featherweight | Ilia Topuria |
| Lightweight | Islam Makhachev |
| Welterweight | Belal Muhammad |
| Middleweight | Dricus Du Plessis |
| Light Heavyweight | Alex Pereira |
| Heavyweight | Jon Jones |
While the focus has often been on the men’s UFC fighters, the women have added just as much excitement to the game. They have elevated the level of competition in many clashes and never disappointed the fans. Let’s look at the top rankings of female fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
| Division | Fighter |
| Women’s Pound-for-Pound | Valentina Shevchenko |
| Women’s Strawweight | Zhang Weili |
| Women’s Flyweight | Valentina Shevchenko |
| Women’s Bantamweight | Julianna Peña |
Worst moments in UFC 2024:
Just as there are highlights, there are also low points in any event. We’ve seen the best moments in UFC 2024, so reviewing the worst moments of the year is equally important. By doing so, we can enhance the sport’s transparency and make future improvements. Let’s delve into the worst moments in UFC 2024.
- UFC 309, which featured Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira, created great remorse among Oliveira’s fans. Chandler was seen repeatedly hitting Oliveira in the back of the head. Chandler’s repeated actions, typically deemed a foul in MMA, were reportedly committed multiple times. Moreover, he was accused of engaging in other foul moves. These incidents have collectively tarnished Chandler’s reputation in his UFC career in 2024.
- The Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov heavyweight bout at UFC 310 resulted in a split-decision victory for Ciryl Gane. However, Volkov’s fans were not satisfied with this result, believing that Alexander Volkov seemed to have better control of the fight than his opponent. Additionally, Volkov was considered to have landed many more precise shots, which led his fans to feel remorse over the fight’s outcome.
- Along with this, Kai Asakura’s debut at UFC 310 angered many fans. Kai Asakura, a former Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion, was a newcomer to the UFC and had no experience. Despite this, he was given a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja in his UFC debut. Although he lost the battle, many were furious about how he was given such an opportunity.
In addition to the widely discussed controversies, UFC 2024 experienced several regrettable incidents. One notable moment was when Conor McGregor withdrew from his fight, leaving Michael Chandler without an opponent. Another incident was Khalil Rountree Jr.’s title shot against Alex Pereira, which faced significant criticism. These events contributed to some of the worst moments in UFC 2024.
Closing Remarks:
Furthermore, UFC 2024 had its share of both remarkable and disappointing moments, both inside and outside the octagon. This blend of highs and lows added a unique flavour to the year. However, some of the less favourable moments left fans disheartened. Moving forward, it is anticipated that the missteps of 2024 will be addressed, ensuring a better experience in the future. Moreover, fighters who did not meet expectations this year are expected to make significant comebacks in future events. Therefore, the 2025 UFC fights will be nothing less for excitement and fun.
