Rivalries was one of the biggest attractors for the UFC in it's early days, and what a way to build up a rivalry then with a trilogy. Trilogies have been engrained in entertainment since 10th century Kings and Queens would appoint 3 jesters to force a competitive nature and bring out the best in each other. UFC trilogies do that plus some; it's the best way to truly distinguish who the best is, and (almost always) put a final chapter in some of the sports' most heated exchanges.
We have gathered the 10 best instances of this in the UFC's 30 year history in the hopes of determining the driving factor of why trilogies are so compelling, while finding out what makes some trilogies entertaining, and some trilogies go down in history.
There have been sixteen trilogy fights that have taken place entirely in the octagon in the UFC's history. Eleven such occasions being synonymous with championships and only one (Sam Stout vs Spencer Fisher) not including at least 1 hall-of-famer. It's no coincidence we see the most legendary fighters in these situations, as their atmosphere certainly helps the rivalries, but also vice versa; rivalries that dictate trilogies are so compelling they can make a fighters' career just as easily, as seen with Tito Ortiz, Cain Velasquez, Georges St. Pierre and so many others
Let's not waste any more time and get right into the very best rivalries, and the best trilogy fights in UFC History.
# 10. Randy Couture vs Vitor Belfort
UFC 15 (1997), UFC 46 and UFC 49 (2004)
Two titans of the early days of UFC set off in a trilogy that saw "The Natural" Randy Couture take the first and third matchup. One of the only instances we will see where every fight ended by knockout, this rivalry was built on respect from two of the best light heavyweights of the era and helped keep viewership through the UFC's dark years
# 9. Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock
UFC 40 (2002), UFC 61 and UFC The Final Chapter (2006)
One of only two trilogies that were swept by one fighter saw Tito Ortiz take all three fights with knockouts in two. This trilogies importance can't be overstated as it made the career of Tito Ortiz. Ken Shamrock was only second to Royce Gracie in the first years of the UFC and Tito was able to establish himself as one of the new superstars of the next generation
# 8. BJ Penn vs Matt Hughes
UFC 46 (2004), UFC 63 (2006) and UFC 123 (2010)
Famous story of student becomes the master. Matt Hughes was the most dominant welterweight in the UFC's history at the time and would face off in two era-defining rivalries at this time. Penn would end up taking the second and third fight, but these battles come lower on this list due to it's lack of "sellable" hatred and the final bout happening about 5 years outside of Hughes' prime.
# 7. Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos
UFC on Fox (2011), UFC 155 (2012) and UFC 166 (2013)
This picture says it all. Two titans of the most dangerous division in the UFC with greatness awaiting the victor. Cain would take the second and third fight but would be knocked out cold by JDS in his only loss in a nine-year stretch. These two warriors deserve huge credit for keeping attention on heavyweights during this time while participating in three exciting fights where competitive rivalry blurred with competitive hatred.
# 6. Alexander Volkanovski vs Max Holloway
UFC 245 (2019), UFC 251 (2020) and UFC 276 (2022)
The second and final trilogy with a sweep saw Alexander Volkanovski cement his legacy. The current Pound-4-Pound #1 in the UFC and Max Holloway participated in 15 rounds of cant-miss television. The second fight is truly debatable with Holloway's best performance in the series, while the conclusion saw Volkaovski's greatest performance in a career littered with dominant wins.
# 5. Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
UFC 256 (2020), UFC 263 (2021) and UFC 270 (2022)
With the first ever "quadrilogy" on the horizon this month, the 'Moreno vs Figueiredo rivalry' will no doubt be considered when talking about the greatest rivalries in UFC history. The record currently stands at 1-1-1 with both fighters winning the Flyweight title in the process. In a time where most casual fans have never heard of flyweights, these titans have carried this division.
# 4. Chuck Liddell vs Randy Couture
UFC 43 (2003), UFC 52 (2005) and UFC 57 (2006)
Probably the most famous trilogy in the early days of UFC for most, this rivalry was truly fueled by respect and greatness. As opposed to both fighters' respective rivalries with Tito Ortiz around this time, this rivalry seemed to mean more for history's sake, and saw Chuck earn two TKO victories to cement his legacy as the best light heavyweight of his time.
# 3. Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier
UFC 178 (2014), UFC 257 and UFC 264 (2021)
If we were talking about the best-selling trilogies of all time this would be #1 by a wide margin. Anything McGregor does makes money but Dustin Poirier proved after his defeat to Conor in 2013 that he belongs in these situations. Two TKO victories six months apart sold a combined 3.1 million buys for the UFC and saw the "underdog" Dustin Poirier topple McGregor. Will we see the second "quadrilogy" one day?
# 2. Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier
UFC 226 (2018), UFC 241 (2019) and UFC 252 (2020)
For my money, the most important trilogy in UFC history saw Stipe Miocic defeat Daniel Cormier in the second and third fights. After Cormier ended Miocic's record 'four-title fight wins in the Heavyweight division' streak, Miocic would finish Cormier in the second and dominate him in the third. When it comes to GOAT conversations based on performance, only Stipe and Cormier can be considered in the top-ten discussion on this list.
# 1. Georges St. Pierre vs Matt Hughes
UFC 50 (2004), UFC 65 (2006) and UFC 79 (2007)
Here we are. The very best trilogy in UFC history saw the truest example of passing the torch there's ever been in the UFC. GSP was running through the division before being submitted in the first round against the division GOAT at the time. GSP would rally to win the next two fights and begin his dominance as one of the entire organizations true GOATs. Between these fighters combined 72 MMA fights, none were more important than these three. For the die hard fans, we all knew this would be number one on this list due to it's significance.
We want to know your opinion on this list and you can let us know on our twitter @complete_mma.
What rivalries do you think could call for the next generation of trilogies? Usman vs Edwards seems likely the next, but we want to know who you think will make this list in the future!
Z.D.
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