We have some lulls in major MMA over the holidays, which makes it the perfect time of year for look-backs.
The UFC has been stellar with its YouTube compilation game in recent months and this week has presented the 10 greatest fights that aren’t talked about enough. Sure, we all remember Fight of the Year winners. But how often do we remember the also-rans from those years?
These, no doubt, were contenders for the year’s top prize when they took place. How many of them do you remember? Check them all out in the marathon video above, and in the extra content below. Then, don’t forget to vote in our poll for your top pick.
Reyes def. Hyun Ma
* Result: Polo Reyes def. Dong Hyun Ma via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 1:52
* Event: UFC 199
* Date: June 4, 2016
* Fight of the Night winner
Santos def. Manuwa
* Result: Thiago Santos def. Jimi Manuwa via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:41
* Event: UFC 231
* Date: Dec. 8, 2018
* Performance of the Night for Santos
Bermudez def. Grice
* Result: Dennis Bermudez def. Matt Grice via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
* Event: UFC 157
* Date: Feb. 23, 2013
* Fight of the Night winner
MacDonald def. Maia
* Result: Rory MacDonald def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
* Event: UFC 170
* Date: Feb. 22, 2014
* Fight of the Night winner
Leben def. Akiyama
* Result: Chris Leben def. Yoshihiro Akiyama via submission (triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:40
* Event: UFC 116
* Date: July 3, 2010
* Fight of the Night winner
Medeiros def. Oliveira
* Result: Yancy Medeiros def. Alex Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:02
* Event: UFC 218
* Date: Dec. 2, 2017
* Fight of the Night winner
Souza def. Weidman
* Result: Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Weidman via Knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:46
* Event: UFC 230
* Date: Nov. 3, 2018
* Fight of the Night winner
Gillespie def. Gonzalez
* Result: Gregor Gillespie def. Jason Gonzalez via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:10
* Event: UFC Fight Night 116
* Date: Sept. 16, 2017
* Fight of the Night winner
Schnell def. Mudaerji
* Result: Matt Schnell def. Su Mudaerji via technical submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:24
* Event: UFC on ABC 3
* Date: July 16, 2022
* Fight of the Night winner
Melendez def. Sanchez
* Result: Gilbert Melendez def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
* Event: UFC 166
* Date: Oct. 19, 2013
* Fight of the Night winner
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Speak up: UFC’s 10 greatest fights you’re not talking about includes blasts from past