(Editor’s notice: This story first was printed June 1, 2023. Some info could have been up to date.)
Whether or not we’re speaking about mainstream sports activities, fight sports activities or sports activities leisure, the spectacle of huge athletes lengthy has been a promotional device to assist attract informal crowds and create nearly larger-than-life requirements that helped set the bar to the place it’s in the present day.
It’s why “the baddest man on the planet” is decided inside the heavyweight division and why title fights on playing cards are sometimes prioritized from largest to smallest – until there’s an outlier like Conor McGregor on the cardboard, in fact.
The unlucky byproduct of this conventional format, nevertheless, is that lighter-weight fighters, who sometimes are extra technical and arguably extra entertaining, usually get under-appreciated and typically misplaced within the shuffle.
The truth is, the UFC traditionally has struggled with whichever division falls on the underside of its proverbial totem pole. Whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the UFC’s three failed makes an attempt to determine its light-weight division, which now is without doubt one of the deepest divisions happening 20 years, or its self-induced flyweight purge that began round 2018, the group has not precisely dealt with these divisions with care.
This week, champion Brandon Moreno will put his title on the road for the primary time in his second reign when he takes on challenger Alexandre Pantoja, who owns a win over him. Will it develop into a traditional? We’ll have to attend and see.
Till we all know, have a look again at this primary decade of flyweight affairs below the UFC banner and my prime 5.
With out additional ado …
5
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji, UFC on ABC 3 (July 16, 2022)
Matt Schnell (purple gloves) and Sumudaerji throughout UFC Struggle Evening at UBS Area (Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports activities)
The UFC matchmakers of in the present day don’t usually enable lighter-weight fighters to open up their most important playing cards, however males’s flyweight at all times appears to ship when given ample alternative.
This combat between Matt Schnell and Su Mudaerji, for one, was one thing that I’m undecided the ABC Sports activities viewers was prepared for that Saturday afternoon.
The primary spherical was pretty normal for a flyweight affair – although it did function Mudaerji countering Schnell’s omoplata try with a candy sidewalk slam that may’ve made Kevin Nash proud.
The second spherical, nevertheless, was an unforgettable storm that Schnell sailed proper into.
Regardless of Schnell’s chin failing him at instances all through his profession, the Fortis MMA product valiantly marched by way of a hellfire of left palms and checking elbows as a way to stage one of many craziest rallies of 2022 (with a ending scene that provides me flashbacks to Jim Miller’s win over Yancy Medeiros).
In case you missed this unbelievable rally within the UFC yesterday
Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji pic.twitter.com/MOs6ZrQpCZ
— The Barber’s Chair Community, LLC (@BarbersChairNet) July 17, 2022
4
Louis Smolka vs. Paddy Holohan, UFC Struggle Evening 76 (Oct. 24, 2015)
Paddy Holohan and Louis Smolka
Coming in on the No. 4 spot is an impromptu flyweight headliner between Louis Smolka and Paddy Holohan that befell in Dublin’s 3Arena.
The cardboard was initially alleged to be headlined by a light-weight bout between Joe Duffy and Dustin Poirier, however a string of unlucky circumstances led to a shocking highlight on the flyweight division.
Smolka and Holohan – who’re each lengthy and lanky for the load class – ended up spending nearly all of this combat participating in a few of the most entertaining scrambles you’ll see from fighters not named Tim Elliott or Joseph Benavidez. That stated, Smolka’s propensity to give up small battles as a way to win the larger ones finally ends up paying off for him right here.
Despite the fact that Smolka spoiled the proverbial homecoming, the Irish crowd nonetheless gave the Hawaiian his flowers as they picked up their man on the way in which out.
E Louis Smolka devasta Paddy Holohan nel R3 mettendo a tacere tutto il pubblico irlandese. Wow. #UFCsuFOX #UFCDublin pic.twitter.com/Urf3d0VoWz
— Al Zullino (@phre) October 26, 2015
3
Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2, UFC 227 (Aug. 4, 2018)
As my colleague George Garcia at all times says, it’s OK for nice fights to have a bit of controversy.
And no matter the way you scored the second assembly between Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo, it’s exhausting to disclaim the standard of this combat and the way it has aged since.
Cejudo, who needed to overcome the adversity of a comprised calf early, appeared to have rather more initiative and urgency in transitional phases given what occurred to him within the clinch the primary time round.
Whereas Johnson (who could have additionally been coping with decrease ligament points), was compelled to reply Cejudo’s tenacious stress with a mix of intelligent counters whereas standing and pressing scrambles when working from adverse positions.
Though I had Johnson up three rounds to 1 heading into the ultimate body dwell, it’s exhausting to not admire the in-corner moments and broadcast drama you get from the final leg of this combat.
UFC 227 (2018.08.04)
Henry Cejudo (12-2)
DJ’s 4th rematch of his profession concludes in a cut up choice loss ending his 13 W streak and 11 title defence streak. The official choice has been extensively criticized for favouring management over efficient placing.
48-47 Johnson pic.twitter.com/UlyRbiUx1G
— Alexander Volkara France (@VolkaraFrance) Could 1, 2023
2
Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson 1, UFC on FOX 6 (Jan. 26, 2013)
Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson (USA TODAY Sports activities)
Contemplating I’ve already not too long ago anointed Johnson’s first combat with [autotag]John Dodson[/autoag] as my favourite from the pound-for-pound king’s catalog in my prime 10 fights that aired on large FOX, I’ll spare you with any long-winded redundancy right here.
That stated, if you happen to’re a fan of pressuring performances, clinch work or comebacks, then I extremely recommend going again to rewatch this enjoyable five-round affair.
Other than the motion nonetheless growing older effectively, it’s arguably when Johnson begins to actually string his recreation collectively whereas displaying an nearly unmatched symbiotic nature together with his coaches and nook.
If any of you’ll be able to inform me how DJ survived this, please let me know as a result of Dodson teleported out of nowhere right here and caught him as DJ stood sq. with a full energy hook. pic.twitter.com/RXGHgGLMl8
— Dan A. (@TypewritingDA) April 7, 2020
1
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot, UFC on FOX 3 (Could 5, 2012)
Every time I put collectively enjoyable lists like these, I try to emphasize that these are merely my prime 5 fights and it’s OK to have a special set that displays your tastes.
Nonetheless, despite my self-admitted hipster sensibilities, I nonetheless discover myself being drawn to one of many UFC’s first flyweight sights in relation to deciding the highest spot on my record.
Though it wasn’t essentially the most technical and there have been no titles on the road, John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot was primarily flyweight’s model of the primary Jung-Garcia (or Bonnar-Griffin from earlier than it).
The ability that Lineker brings together with his vicious physique punching was palpable by way of the published, flipping over no matter smaller-man stereotypes we could have held prior.
Guadinot, alternatively, was very happy to change and counter, making a stable account of what was to come back from future Tiger Schulmann fighters.
There are many fights which might be greater than justifiable to have forward of this one in your record, however only a few fights make me really feel the way in which this one does.
John Lineker vs. Louis Gaudinot pic.twitter.com/16v0kpl3go
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) Could 29, 2023
*Honorable mentions: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 1 at UFC 256; Brandon Royval vs. Kai Kara-France at UFC 253; Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo at TUF 24 Finale; Alexandre Pantoja vs. Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 240; Tim Elliot vs. Jared Papazian at TUF 16 Finale.
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