Top 10 Breakthrough Performances in UFC History

[Drake]

What exactly defines a breakthrough performance? Well, take the headliner of last Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Gdansk, Poland for a prime example. The virtually unknown and highly untested Liverpool native, Darren Tilldisposed of the popular and always game veteran, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. And he did so with ease. We’ll get into that more as the list begins though… That’s your only spoiler.

I’m sure you will notice that almost all of these fights are upsets. But there’s a difference between a breakthrough performance and an upset. A breakthrough performance is a performance that takes a fighter to the next level. A performance that makes fans and fighters go, “Damn, this guy is legit.” when maybe we weren’t so sure before. With an upset, that may be all it was. Just an upset in a less than stellar career.

So who are the owners of these great showings? Let’s find out…

Continued: Top 10 Breakthrough Performances in UFC History

 

[La Paix]

Pretty solid list IMO. I'd would've added in Cain vs Lesnar as that was nothing short of spectacular. Cain had some great performances leading up to it but being the much smaller man, be able to get up quickly after the TDs and finish Brock in the way he did will always be one of my favorite moments in MMA. That fight made Cain go from good to great.

 

[Drake]

Pretty solid list IMO. I'd would've added in Cain vs Lesnar as that was nothing short of spectacular. Cain had some great performances leading up to it but being the much smaller man, be able to get up quickly after the TDs and finish Brock in the way he did will always be one of my favorite moments in MMA. That fight made Cain go from good to great.

That's a good one. I feel like I might consider the Nog fight more of his breakthrough fight though. People could see how good Cain was as he was rising through the ranks. They knew him as the wrestler then he went out and boxed Nog's face off with a beautiful KO.

I probably should have thrown him in on the honorable mentions but I don't know if he had a better breakthrough than any of the others.

 

[tang]

Shogun Rua winning 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand-Prix

Out of the 16 men tournament, he was the last one chosen to participate as huge underdog and youngest fighter on roster (25?). He beat Rampage, Lil-Nog, Overeem, and Arona.

 

[SongExotic2]

Shogun Rua winning 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand-Prix

Out of the 16 men tournament, he was the last one chosen to participate as huge underdog and youngest fighter on roster (25?). He beat Rampage, Lil-Nog, Overeem, and Arona.

I still think Jones break out fight was vs Shogun.

He'd beaten up some good fighters before that but not on that level. Plus he was a short notice replacement and fucking wrecked him.

 

[Drake]

Shogun Rua winning 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand-Prix

Out of the 16 men tournament, he was the last one chosen to participate as huge underdog and youngest fighter on roster (25?). He beat Rampage, Lil-Nog, Overeem, and Arona.

*UFC History

 

[tang]

I still think Jones break out fight was vs Shogun.

He'd beaten up some good fighters before that but not on that level. Plus he was a short notice replacement and fucking wrecked him.

No doubt but Jones has asterik next to his name until his recent issues are solved

 

[tang]

*UFC History

O, my bad. Then I’m gonna have to go for GSP losing to Matt Serra. Even though that was a loss, that was the turning point in his career, GSP went fucking crazy. Cleaned out who’s who of the entire division. Not as devastating as Jones did but I think GSP opponents were more around their prime. Although JOnes’s list is impressive, some of the guys he fought were on downhill. Plus, Jones still has unresolved issue.

 

[Wild]

Ok, I know Till ran thru Cerrone, but what's everyone feel about his chances against guys like Wonderboy, Lawler, Masvidal, and Woodley?

 

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Lauzon for sure

 

[Drake]

Ok, I know Till ran thru Cerrone, but what's everyone feel about his chances against guys like Wonderboy, Lawler, Masvidal, and Woodley?

I think his chances are pretty good. He beat Cowboy eeeeasily. Even showed good TDD & Cowboy has underrated wrestling. Surely, Woodley would have more success than Cowboy in that area but it was still impressive to see. I think Till takes out Mas easiest out of those you named but I think he can hang with all of them. Especially if he keeps looking like he did vs Cowboy. Wasn't all that amazing before that.

Lauzon for sure

Initially, Lauzon was up at #5. But after reconsidering and looking deeper at the rest, they were all more successful afterward whereas Joe has never even mustered up a title shot. That was more of an upset.

(yeah, I know. Kind of gambling on Volkan & Till)

 

[Wild]

I think his chances are pretty good. He beat Cowboy eeeeasily. Even showed good TDD & Cowboy has underrated wrestling. Surely, Woodley would have more success than Cowboy in that area but it was still impressive to see. I think Till takes out Mas easiest out of those you named but I think he can hang with all of them. Especially if he keeps looking like he did vs Cowboy. Wasn't all that amazing before that.



Initially, Lauzon was up at #5. But after reconsidering and looking deeper at the rest, they were all more successful afterward whereas Joe has never even mustered up a title shot. That was more of an upset.

(yeah, I know. Kind of gambling on Volkan & Till)

I don't know man. I used to doubt Woodley but damn he's really gotten good at his craft. Fights smart, doesn't get hit, has those takedowns to fall back on, and a piston for a right hand. He's a fucking really tough out for anyone at 170. I'd like to see Till get 2-3 more tough fights before stepping up to Woodley.

 

[SickEye]

Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler

 

[Wild]

Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler

We need to see this rematch, period.