Another year is in the books, and while it didn’t go according to plan, Bellator provided a number of memorable moments in 2020.

Among the year’s story lines for the promotion was its pivot away from signing older fighters with big names to instead adding athletes with potentially high ceilings.

Numerous prospects and highly touted fighters brought in from other promotions made their Bellator debuts in 2020 – but some were more memorable than others.

Here are the 10 Bellator debut performances that stood out above the rest.

Note: Factors in determining the ranking included skills displayed, flare, by how much expectations were exceeded, potential ceiling of athlete, and level of statement made.

10. Alex Polizzi def. Rafael Carvalho via unanimous decision | Bellator 245

One of the more under-the-radar debuts of 2020, Alex Polizzi’s first Bellator fight didn’t end in a finish. However, Polizzi did something that’s not easy to do. For his first Bellator fight, Polizzi was matched up with former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho. Despite the difference in promotional accolades, Polizzi dominated the fight en route to a unanimous decision win. Shortly after the fight, Carvalho was released from the promotion.

9. Sumiko Inaba def. Jessica Ruiz via TKO (ground-and-pound), Round 1 | Bellator 251

On Nov. 5 at Bellator 251, Sumiko Inaba made her first professional walk to the cage. The 29-year-old fighter-mom needed less than a round to dispose of opponent Jessica Ruiz, whom she finished in 4:59 via TKO with ground-and-pound. After the fight, an emotional Inaba voiced her pride in her performance and journey, and looked toward the future.

8. Sullivan Cauley def. Jason Markland via knockout (punches), Round 1 | Bellator 253

Sullivan Cauley was a late addition to Bellator 253 on Nov. 19. But once he arrived inside the Bellator cage for his professional debut, he made the most of his short-notice opportunity. In the event’s curtain jerker, Cauley starched opponent Jason Markland. The Ryan Bader underling finished the fight with punches in just 28 seconds and solidified a lightning-fast debut victory.

7. Corey Anderson def. Melvin Manhoef via TKO (ground-and-pound), Round 2 | Bellator 251

One of Bellator’s most high-profile (and surprising) signings of 2020, Corey Anderson entered Bellator 251 on Nov. 5 as a massive favorite. Over the span of his 7:34-long bout against Melvin Manhoef, Anderson showed why the oddsmakers backed him so heavily. After he dragged the fight to the mat in Round 2, Anderson unleashed an onslaught of punches and elbows to finish the fight and leave the Dutch combat sports legend covered in his own blood.

6. Yves Landu def. Terry Brazier via knockout (flying knee), Round 1 | Bellator 248

Prior to one of the most viral post-fight celebrations of 2020, Yves Landu landed a massive flying knee to separate Terry Brazier from consciousness at Bellator 248. In a matchup of veteran European-based professionals, Landu and Brazier went toe to toe. But in the end, it was Brazier who woke up on the canvas. From there, Landu unleashed his dance moves – to the delight of those in attendance in his native France.

5. Monika Chochkliova def. Jade Jorand via submission (scorpion crunch), Round 2 | Bellator 247

Image via Bellator MMA

What better way to make your name known than to pull off a super-rare submission in your Bellator – and professional – MMA debut. That’s exactly what Monika Chochkliova did at Bellator 247 on Oct. 1. Against fellow debutant Jade Jorand, Chochkliova won via “scorpion crunch” as Round 2 wound down. The maneuver instantly went viral and added value to the 24-year-old atomweight’s name.

4. Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey via knockout (flying knee), Round 2 | Bellator 252

If you don’t believe Roman Faraldo is a friend of Jorge Masvidal’s, go back and watch his Nov. 12 flying knee knockout of Pat Casey from Bellator 252. An undefeated American Top Team prospect, Faraldo flew onto Bellator fans’ radars when he leaped, cranked, and brutalized New England’s Casey in his promotional debut. After the fight, Faraldo discussed how he has the same striking coach as Masvidal – so the similarities make sense.

3. Taylor Johnson def. Ed Ruth via submission (heel hook), Round 1 | Bellator 245

Not many Bellator debutants win their first promotional fight by heel hook. Even fewer do it against the caliber of an opponent like Ed Ruth on a main card. But Sept. 11 at Bellator 245, Taylor Johnson accomplished that feat in 59 seconds. A former LFA standout who suffered his first career loss on Dana White’s Contender Series the year prior, Johnson inserted himself into the welterweight discussion when he dragged Ruth to the mat, snatched a leg, and twisted until a tap came.

2. Sergio Pettis def. Alfred Khashakyan via submission (guillotine choke), Round 1 | Bellator 238

Sergio Pettis

Do you want violence? Then, go back and watch Sergio Pettis’ Bellator debut. On Jan. 25 at Bellator 238, Pettis flattened Alfred Khashakyan with a brutal combination and follow-up strikes. The fight appeared as if it could’ve been stopped but referee Frank Trigg didn’t see what he needed to to waive off the fight. Seeing an opportunity for a submission. Pettis pulled Khashakyan’s half-conscious body into a guillotine choke, giving Trigg no choice but to intervene.

1. Cris Cyborg def. Julia Budd via TKO (strikes), Round 4 | Bellator 238

By almost every account imaginable, Cris Cyborg entered Bellator as one of MMA’s all-time greats. In her promotional debut on Jan. 25 at Bellator 238, Cyborg added to her laundry list of accolades when she became the first fighter ever to hold UFC, Invicta FC, Strikeforce, and Bellator titles – a career grand slam champion. Against longtime champ Julia Budd, Cyborg appeared a level above and finished the Canadian by strikes in Round 4.

Honorable mentions

• Callum Murrie def. Dylan Logan via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 at Bellator 240 (Feb. 22)
• Mark Lemminger def. Jake Smith via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 2 at Bellator 242 (July 24)
• Charlie Campbell def. Nainoa Dung via TKO (leg kicks) in Round 2 at Bellator 243 (Aug. 7)
• John De Jesus def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision at Bellator 244 (Aug. 21)
• Cat Zingano def. Gabrielle Holloway via unanimous decision at Bellator 245 (Sept. 11)
• Luke Trainer def. Alex O’Toole via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator Europe 8 (Sept. 26)
• Uros Jurisic def. Walter Gahadza via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 at Bellator 247 (Oct. 1)
• Marek Jakimowicz def. Curtis Dodge via TKO (elbows) in Round 1 at Bellator Europe 9 (Oct. 3)
• Alan Omer def. Ryan Scope via TKO (strikes) in Round 1 at Bellator 248 (Oct. 10)
• Mads Burnell def. Darko Banovic via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator 248 (Oct. 10)
• Da’Mon Blackshear def. Mike Kimbel via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 2 at Bellator 249 (Oct. 15)
• Cody Law def. Orlando Ortega via submission (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator 250 (Oct. 29)
• Jaylon Bates def. Joe Supino via unanimous decision at Bellator 251 (Nov. 5)
• Jeremy Kennedy def. Matt Bessette via unanimous decision at Bellator 253 (Nov. 19)
• Jaleel Willis def. Mark Lemminger via unanimous decision at Bellator 253 (Nov. 19)
• Shamil Nikaev def. Kemran Lachinov via unanimous decision at Bellator 254 (Dec. 10)
• Magomed Magomedov def. Matheus Mattos via unanimous decision at Bellator 254 (Dec. 10)

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/bellator-2020-top-10-debut-performances-cris-cyborg

To be sure, 2020 was a year of challenges across the globe. Somehow, some of the greatest athletes on the planet rose to the occasion, putting on exciting bouts, while the world has dealt with a global pandemic.

It’s nearly time to look ahead to what 2021 has to offer, but before we do, take a look back with MMAWeekly.com’s Jeff Cain and Jim “Gries” Grieshaber, as they rehash the Best of 2020.

First up, Jeff and Jim break down the top knockouts of the year.

What were your top knockouts of 2020?

TRENDING The Ultimate Fighter is about to reboot, check out the first 28 seasons

(Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/best-of-2020-top-knockouts

UFC bantamweight sensation Aljamain Sterling recounts the troubling childhood that helped shape him into the fighter he is today. Witness the story of a young boy transforming into one of the top contenders in the UFC’s stacked 135-pound division.

Sterling was slated to challenge UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan for the belt at UFC 256 on Dec. 12. The bout was canceled at the last minute, but is expected to be rescheduled for early 2021.

TRENDING  Conor McGregor coach says Dustin Poirier facing uphill battle in what should be a UFC title fight

(Video courtesy of UFC)

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/aljamain-sterling-recounts-difficult-childhood-in-ufc-film-not-broken

Kyoji Horiguchi should be talked about more when discussing the best bantamweights in MMA, says Mike Brown.

The American Top Team coach has been working with Horiguchi (28-3) for almost five years. Since leaving the UFC in 2017, the Japanese fighter went on to win the Rizin bantamweight grand prix, the inaugural Rizin bantamweight title, and the Bellator 135-pound title – thus becoming a two-promotion champion.

However, Horiguchi lost to Kai Asakura in August of 2019, losing his Rizin bantamweight belt. Shortly after, he suffered a knee injury that required surgery and was stripped of his Bellator title.

With Horiguchi making a long awaited return in a championship rematch against Asakura at Rizin FF 26 on Thursday, Brown, who’s in Japan to corner his fighter, believes people are not paying respect to the Japanese talent.

“I think he’s grossly underrated, but that happens a lot when you’re fighting outside the UFC,” Brown told MMA Junkie in a phone interview. “But if you look at his record, his pedigree – I mean, it’s incredible. He’s got a great record, and now he’s fighting at 135 where he’s much smaller than guys – I think he can fight at both weight classes (flyweight) fairly easy – but with a few extra pounds, I think him fighting at 135, it’s given him more power.

“That extra muscle is improving his shots, and he’s getting guys out of there a lot more easily than at 125 pounds. When you’re a smaller guy, and you have 10 less pounds behind your shots, it’s a little more difficult to get guys out of there with your shots.

“I think that’s brought some attention because he was on a nice winning streak and finishing guys. He had that 10-second win over Ian McCall, winning the Rizin grand prix tournament, he had three fights in two nights there, two wins over Darrion Caldwell, who’s a very tough fight and is much bigger than him – I mean, NCAA champion, so tall and just a difficult stylistic matchup for a guy like Kyoji. Before he was with us (at ATT), he fought Demetrious Johnson and kind of got outwrestled in that fight. But that just showed his improvement and ability to get back to his feet in the Caldwell fights.”

Horiguchi hasn’t fought in over a year. Although that’s generally bad news for any fighter, Brown thinks the 30-year-old competitor didn’t get held back too much.

“In a way, it was good timing because it happened to be during this COVID epidemic where a lot of people missed time fighting anyway,” Brown said. “So that was a big chunk where he wouldn’t have been able to fight anyway.

“But it’s still tough, especially coming off the loss. He wanted to get right back in there, but he’s mentally strong as they come and as focused as anybody can be. He lives the samurai life, man. That’s all he does: He eats, sleeps and trains. He’s 100 percent focused and occasionally when he needs to rest his mind, he’ll go fishing a little bit. But this kid is on it and as focused as anyone you’ll ever meet.”

The Gunma native has a tough task ahead as Asakura stopped him fair and square the first time they fought. There’s obviously big things on the horizon, as not so long ago he was being talked about plenty Statesside with his capture of the Bellator bantamweight title.

Brown knows the future is bright, but he’s focused on the task at hand.

“It was the first time it’s ever been done, so it’s a special thing,” Brown said regarding Horiguchi’s feat of becoming a two-promotion champion. “Most promotions aren’t doing cross-promotional championships, so this is very rare, but it’s one step at a time. First he has this RIZIN title fight, and we’ll see what happens after that.”

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/kyoji-horiguchi-grossly-underrated-return-knee-injury-rizin-ff-26

By Mike Bohn |

December 29, 2020 8:40 pm

Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producers Michael Carroll, here are some of 2020’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

Event feats

The UFC held 41 events in nine different cities across four countries and four continents.

Within those events, there were 456 fights across 13 different weight classes (including catchweight bouts).

Those 456 fights combined for a total cage time of 83 hours 33 minutes 19 seconds.

The longest event of the year was “UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal” in Abu Dhabi at 3 hours, 7 minutes, and 27 seconds. It also marked the single-event record for most fight time in company history.

“UFC on ESPN 14: Whittaker vs. Till” in Abu Dhabi became the second event in history with 15 completed bouts. UFC 2 in March 1994 was the other.

The shortest event of the year was “UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs. Sakai” in Las Vegas at 1 hour 17 minutes and 33 seconds.

“UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs. Sakai” was the promotion’s first seven-fight card since The Ultimate Fighter 2: Finale in November 2005.

At those events, the UFC drew an announced total attendance of 89,623 for a live gate total of $20,924,176.50 (Note: 34 live events were closed to the public and did not have a live gate or attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic).

The highest reported attended event of the year was “UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” in Las Vegas (19,040), while the lowest attended event was UFC on ESPN+ 25 in Rio Rancho, N.M. (6,449).

The highest reported income gate of the year was “UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” in Las Vegas ($11,089,129.30), while the lowest reported income gate of the year went to “UFC on ESPN+ 27: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo” in Norfolk, Va. ($402,958).

The gate for “UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” was the fourth highest in UFC history. UFC 205 in 2016 still holds the company record at $17.7 million.

In 2020, athletes were paid $6,543,500 in Promotional Guidelines Compliance money.

In 2020, 167 fight-night bonuses were given out for a sum of $8,350,000.

Conor McGregor

UFC issued five “Performance of the Night” awards for the first and only time in company history at “UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” in Las Vegas.

UFC issued six “Performance of the Night” awards for the first and only time in company history at “UFC on ESPN 14: Whittaker vs. Till” in Abu Dhabi.

“UFC on ESPN 13: Kattar vs. Ige” became the second event in history to feature zero knockdowns. UFC Fight Night 9 in 2007 was the other.

“UFC on ESPN 12: Poirier vs. Hooker” featured four third-round submission finishes, tied with UFC Fight Night 89 in 2016 for the single-event UFC record.

“UFC on ESPN 10: Eye vs. Calvillo” and “UFC on ESPN+ 36: Covington vs. Woodley” tied the modern-era record for most sub-60-second finishes on a card with three. Four other events share that record.

“UFC on ESPN+ 28: Lee vs. Oliveira” tied UFC on ESPN 4 in 2019 for the most consecutive decisions on a single UFC card with nine.

“UFC on ESPN+ 25: Anderson vs. Blachowicz” was the first event in UFC history to feature two disqualification results.

Betting favorites went 299-145. Twelve fights ended in a draw, no contest or had even odds.

Betting favorites went 27-13 in event headliners. One fight ended in a draw.

“UFC on EPSN 14: Whittaker vs. Till” had the most favorites come through victorious, with 11. On the flip side, six underdogs won at “UFC on ESPN+ 27: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo,” “UFC on ESPN+ 29: Smith vs. Teixeira,” “UFC on ESPN 18: Smith vs. Clark” and “UFC Fight Night 183: Thompson vs. Neal.’

Jessica Eye

A total of 46 fighters officially missed weight for their respective contests, the single-year record in UFC history. The 32 fighters in that group who went on to compete were 10-22 in their respective bouts.

A total of 123 fighters made their UFC debut in 2020. Those fighters went 49-70 with one draw and one no contest. Debuting fighters who faced an opponent with at least one bout of UFC experience went 31-52 with one draw and one no contest.

Weight class recap: Heavyweight

Number of fights: 44
Knockouts: 20
Submissions: 7
Decisions: 17
Champion at beginning of year: Stipe Miocic
Champion at end of year: Miocic
Most fights in divisional history: Andrei Arlovski (33)
Longest winning streak in division: Francis Ngannou, Curtis Blaydes, Ciryl Gane and Marcin Tybura (4)
Most wins in divisional history: Arlovski (19)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Frank Mir (13)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Derrick Lewis (11)
Most submissions in divisional history: Mir (8)
Most fight-night bonuses: Miocic (9)

Weight class recap: Light heavyweight

Number of fights: 36
Knockouts: 17
Submissions: 5
Decisions: 13
Other: 1
Champion at beginning of year: Jon Jones
Champion at end of year: Jan Blachowicz
Most fights in divisional history: Jones, Mauricio Rua and Ovince Saint Preux (22)
Longest winning streak in division: Glover Teixeira and Magomed Ankalaev (5)
Most wins in divisional history: Jones (20)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Teixeira (12)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Chuck Liddell (9)
Most submissions in divisional history: Teixeira (6)
Most fight-night bonuses: Jones, Rua and Saint Preux (8)

Weight class recap: Middleweight

Number of fights: 44
Knockouts: 18
Submissions: 8
Decisions: 17
Other: 1
Champion at beginning of year: Israel Adesanya
Champion at end of year: Adesanya
Most fights in divisional history: Michael Bisping (24)
Longest winning streak in division: Adesanya (9)
Most wins in divisional history: Bisping (16)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Anderson Silva (11)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Silva and Thiago Santos (8)
Most submissions in divisional history: Demian Maia, Thales Leites, Rousimar Palhares, Antonio Carlos Junior and Gerald Meerschaert (5)
Most fight-night bonuses: Silva (12)

Weight class recap: Welterweight

Number of fights: 55
Knockouts: 15
Submissions: 6
Decisions: 31
Other: 3
Champion at beginning of year: Kamaru Usman
Champion at end of year: Usman
Most fights in divisional history: Thiago Alves and Matt Brown (26)
Longest winning streak in division: Usman (12)
Most wins in divisional history: Georges St-Pierre (19)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Brown (13)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Brown (11)
Most submissions in divisional history: Maia, Gunnar Nelson and Chris Lytle (6)
Most fight-night bonuses: Lytle (10)

Weight class recap: Lightweight

Number of fights: 51
Knockouts: 15
Submissions: 10
Decisions: 24
Other: 2
Champion at beginning of year: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Champion at end of year: Nurmagomedov
Most fights in divisional history: Jim Miller (34)
Longest winning streak in division: Nurmagomedov (12)
Most wins in divisional history: Miller (19)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Joe Lauzon (13)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Edson Barboza and Melvin Guillard (7)
Most submissions in divisional history: Miller (9)
Most fight-night bonuses: Lauzon (15)

Weight class recap: Featherweight

Number of fights: 60
Knockouts: 14
Submissions: 10
Decisions: 36
Champion at beginning of year: Alexander Volkanovski
Champion at end of year: Volkanovski
Most fights in divisional history: Max Holloway and Darren Elkins (21)
Longest winning streak in division: Volkanovski and Arnold Allen (7)
Most wins in divisional history: Holloway (16)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Holloway (10)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Holloway (8)
Most submissions in divisional history: Charles Oliveira (6)
Most fight-night bonuses: Cub Swanson and Chan Sung Jung (8)

Weight class recap: Women’s featherweight

Number of fights: 3
Knockouts: 2
Submissions: 0
Decisions: 1
Champion at beginning of year: Amanda Nunes
Champion at end of year: Nunes
Most fights in divisional history: Cris Cyborg and Megan Anderson (5)
Longest winning streak in division: Nunes and Anderson (2)
Most wins in divisional history: Cyborg (4)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Anderson (3)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Cyborg and Anderson (2)
Most submissions in divisional history: Anderson, Felicia Spencer and Macy Chiasson (1)
Most fight-night bonuses: Nunes, Cyborg, Anderson and Holly Holm (1)

Weight class recap: Bantamweight

Number of fights: 50
Knockouts: 21
Submissions: 8
Decisions: 20
Other: 1
Champion at beginning of year: Henry Cejudo
Champion at end of year: Petr Yan
Most fights in divisional history: Urijah Faber (17)
Longest winning streak in division: Yan (7)
Most wins in divisional history: T.J. Dillashaw (12)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Dillashaw and Marlon Vera (8)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Dillashaw (7)
Most submissions in divisional history: Faber (6)
Most fight-night bonuses: Dillashaw (8)

Weight class recap: Women’s bantamweight

Number of fights: 18
Knockouts: 2
Submissions: 1
Decisions: 15
Champion at beginning of year: Amanda Nunes
Champion at end of year: Nunes
Most fights in divisional history: Raquel Pennington (13)
Longest winning streak in division: Nunes (9)
Most wins in divisional history: Nunes (11)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Nunes (8)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Nunes (6)
Most submissions in divisional history: Ronda Rousey (3)
Most fight-night bonuses: Rousey (7)

Weight class recap: Flyweight

Number of fights: 22
Knockouts: 5
Submissions: 6
Decisions: 11
Champion at beginning of year: No one (title vacant)
Champion at end of year: Deiveson Figueiredo
Most fights in divisional history: Joseph Benavidez (18)
Longest unbeaten streak in division: Figueiredo (6)
Most wins in divisional history: Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson (13)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Figueiredo and Johnson (7)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Benavidez (5)
Most submissions in divisional history: Johnson (5)
Most fight-night bonuses: Johnson (9)

Weight class recap: Women’s flyweight

Number of fights: 34
Knockouts: 7
Submissions: 10
Decisions: 17
Champion at beginning of year: Valentina Shevchenko
Champion at end of year: Shevchenko
Most fights in divisional history: Katlyn Chookagian and Gillian Robertson (9)
Longest winning streak in division: Shevchenko (6)
Most wins in divisional history: Shevchenko, Chookagian and Robertson (6)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Robertson (5)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Shevchenko, Maycee Barber and Shana Dobson (2)
Most submissions in divisional history: Robertson (4)
Most fight-night bonuses: Shevchenko, Antonina Shevchenko and Veronica Macedo (2)

Weight class recap: Strawweight

Number of fights: 26
Knockouts: 2
Submissions: 6
Decisions: 18
Champion at beginning of year: Zhang Weili
Champion at end of year: Weili
Most fights in divisional history: Angela Hill and Randa Markos (16)
Longest winning streak in division: Yan Xiaonan (6)
Most wins in divisional history: Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10)
Most stoppages in divisional history: Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas (4)
Most knockouts in divisional history: Andrade (3)
Most submissions in divisional history: Namajunas, Cynthia Calvillo and Mackenzie Dern
Most fight-night bonuses: Andrade (7)

Championship feats

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje

No UFC champions were dethroned inside the octagon for the first time since 1999.

Jon Jones set a new record for most championship-fight victories in history with his 14th at UFC 247. He was previously tied with Georges St-Pierre at 13.

Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk combined for 351 significant strikes landed at UFC 248, the third most in title-fight history. Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega holds the record with 400 total at UFC 231.

Henry Cejudo became the second champion in history to record successful title defenses in two weight classes when he defended his bantamweight belt at UFC 249.

Amanda Nunes became the third champion in history to record successful title defenses in two weight classes when she defended her women’s featherweight belt at UFC 250. Cejudo and Daniel Cormier also accomplished the feat.

Nunes became the first in history to record title defenses in two divisions while simultaneously holding multiple belts when she won at UFC 250.

Deiveson Figueiredo became the third flyweight champion in UFC history when he won at UFC on ESPN+ 30. Cejudo and Demetrious Johnson also accomplished the feat.

Joseph Benavidez became the first in history to go 0-4 in undisputed championship fights when he lost at UFC on ESPN+ 30.

Khabib Nurmagomedov became the first in history to win three consecutive title fights by submission with his victory at UFC 254.

Figueiredo made the fastest title-fight turnaround in UFC history at 21 days when he competed at UFC 256. Ronda Rousey and Matt Hughes held the previous record at 56 days.

Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno fought to the fourth draw in UFC title fight history at UFC 256.

Individual feats

Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone

Aleksei Oleinik became the first fighter in MMA history to earn victories in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s) when he won at UFC 246.

Conor McGregor became the third in history to earn knockout victories in three different weight classes when he won at UFC 246. Jared Cannonier and Vitor Belfort also accomplished the feat.

Valentina Shevchenko earned the eighth knockout in history to stem from the crucifix position when she won at UFC 247.

Jones became the first in history to earn 20 victories in a single UFC weight class when he won at UFC 247.

Jones extended his record unbeaten streak to 18 fights when he won at UFC 247.

Priscila Cachoeira’s 40-second knockout at UFC on ESPN+ 26 set a record for fastest stoppage in women’s flyweight history.

Angela Hill set a new record for most UFC fights within an 11-month span when she made a sixth octagon appearance over that stretch at UFC on ESPN+ 26.

Israel Adesanya reached an 8-0 octagon return faster than anyone in company history (755 days after debut) when he won at UFC 248.

Maryna Moroz’s 139 significant strikes landed at UFC on ESPN+ 28 set a new single-fight record for a three-round women’s flyweight fight.

Charles Oliveira

Charles Oliveira tied Donald Cerrone’s record for most stoppage victories in history with his 16th when he won at UFC on ESPN+ 28.

Oliveira set a new record for most guillotine-choke submission wins in history when he earned his fifth at UFC on ESPN+ 28. He was previous tied with Nate Diaz at four.

Oliveira became the first in history to reach 10 “Performance of the Night” awards when he received a fight-night bonus at UFC on ESPN+ 28.

Jeremy Stephens extended his own mark for most octagon losses with his 17th at UFC 249.

Justin Gaethje became the first in history to win at least one fight-night bonus in each of his first seven UFC appearances with his bout at UFC 249.

Chase Sherman became the third in history to record multiple knockout victories stemming from standing elbow strikes when he won at UFC on ESPN+ 29. Travis Browne and Alan Jouban also accomplished the feat.

Glover Teixeira’s victory at 1:04 of Round 5 at UFC on ESPN+ 29 marked the second latest stoppage in a UFC light heavyweight bout behind Teixeira’s loss to Alexander Gustafsson (1:06 of Round 5) at UFC Fight Night 109.

Merab Dvalishvili’s 12 takedowns landed at UFC on ESPN 10 set a new single-fight record for most in a UFC/WEC bantamweight bout.

Dvalishvili became the second fighter in history to land 10 or more takedowns in three separate bouts. D. Johnson was first to accomplish the feat.

Curtis Blaydes’ 14 takedowns landed at UFC On ESPN 11 set a new single-fight record for a heavyweight bout.

Maurice Greene became the second in history to earn a submission victory by arm-triangle choke from bottom position when he won at UFC on ESPN 12. Aljamain Sterling also accomplished the feat.

Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker

Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker’s 390 total strikes landed at UFC on ESPN 12 set a new single-fight record for a lightweight bout.

Poirier became the first lightweight in history to land 150 or more significant strikes in three separate fights when he won at UFC on ESPN 12.

Makwan Amirkhani became the third in history to earn multiple submission victories by anaconda choke. Phil Davis and C. Oliveira also accomplished the feat.

Max Holloway recored his 11th performance of 100+ significant strikes at UFC 251. No other fighter has more than eight such performance.

Kamaru Usman became the third in history to start 12-0 with the promotion. Nurmagomedov and Anderson Silva also accomplished the feat.

Khamzat Chimaev set a record for fastest time between wins with two victories in 10 days at UFC on ESPN 13 and UFC on ESPN 14.

Paul Craig became the first in history to win three separate fights by triangle choke submission when he won at UFC on ESPN 14.

Shana Dobson’s victory as a +1250 betting underdog against Mariya Agapova at UFC on ESPN 15 marked the greatest upset in company history.

Hannah Cifers became the first in history to suffer four consecutive losses in a calendar year with her defeat at UFC on ESPN+ 33.

Chimaev set a record for fastest time between three wins with three victories in 66 days at UFC on ESPN 13, UFC on ESPN 14 and UFC on ESPN+ 36.

Joaquin Buckley’s knockout at UFC on ESPN+ 37 was the fourth in history to stem from a spinning back kick to the head.

Jun Yong Park’s 258 total ground strikes in his win at UFC on ESPN+ 38 set a new single-fight record for a three-round fight in company history.

Nurmagomedov became the second in history to earn 13 consecutive octagon victories to start a career with the organization when he won at UFC 254. A. Silva also accomplished the feat.

Teixeira became the first in history to hold a five-fight UFC winning streak at age 40 or older with his win at UFC on ESPN 17.

Teixeira set new records for most finishes (12) and submission (six) victories in light heavyweight history with his win at UFC on ESPN 17.

Jordan Leavitt vs. Matt Wiman

Jordan Leavitt earned the 12th knockout in history stemming from a slam at UFC on ESPN 19.

Leavitt’s 22-second slam knockout tied the record for second fastest in history behind Josh Burkman’s 21-second win at The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale in November 2005.

Leavitt earned the fifth knockout victory in history where the winner landed just one significant strike in a fight.

Leavitt’s 22-second victory marked the fastest finish for a debuting lightweight in history.

Marvin Vettori and Jack Hermansson’s 286 significant strikes landed at UFC on ESPN 19 set a new single-fight middleweight record.

Chase Hooper earned the 19th heel hook finish in history at UFC 256. It was the second finish to occur in the third round, and the first in featherweight history.

Kevin Holland became the third fighter in history to 5-0 in a calendar year when he won at UFC 256. Roger Huerta and Neil Magny also accomplished the feat, but Holland did it the fastest at 210 days.

Figueiredo and Moreno’s 269 significant strikes landed at UFC 256 set a new single-fight record for a flyweight fight.

Aleksei Oleinik, Amanda Nunes, Angela Hill, Brandon Moreno, Breaking, Charles Oliveira, Chase Hooper, Chase Sherman, Conor McGregor, Curtis Blaydes, Dan Hooker, Dustin Poirier, Glover Teixeira, Hannah Cifers, Henry Cejudo, Israel Adesanya, Jeremy Stephens, Joaquin Buckley, Jon Jones, Jordan Leavitt, Joseph Benavidez, Jun Yong Park, Justin Gaethje, Kamaru Usman, Kevin Holland, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Khamzat Chimaev, Makwan Amirkhani, Maryna Moroz, Maurice Greene, Max Holloway, Merab Dvalishvili, Montel Jackson, Paul Craig, Petr Yan, Priscila Cachoeira, Shana Dobson, UFC 246, UFC 251, UFC Fight Night 183, UFC on ESPN 12, UFC on ESPN 13, UFC on ESPN 14, UFC on ESPN 18, UFC on ESPN+ 10, UFC on ESPN+ 25, UFC on ESPN+ 28, UFC on ESPN+ 29, UFC on ESPN+ 34, UFC on ESPN+ 37, Valentina Shevchenko, Featured, News, UFC

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-2020-by-the-numbers-year-end-stats-streaks-records-history