Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021

The year 2021 witnessed some of the biggest greatest performances by UFC athletes. This year the fans came back to the arena after UFC 260 and apart from the pay-per-views, the promotion was able to produce some of the most exciting UFC fight nights as well. The main attraction for these UFC events was the fight of the night performances. Here to honor all these fighters we put on a list of top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

This year’s first Fight Night was headlined by the former UFC Featherweight champion, Max Holloway taking on Calvin Kattar and the last Fight Night was headlined by the former UFC Heavyweight title challenger, Derrick Lewis taking on Chris Daukaus.

Apart from these fight nights the pay per views also witnessed some of the biggest performances. Here goes our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

List of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021

5. Petr Yan vs Cory Sandhagen (UFC 267)

The former UFC Bantamweight champion, Petr Yan entered the Octagon to face the number 4th ranked UFC Bantamweight fighter, Cory Sandhagen in a fight for the interim Bantamweight championship. Yan was targeted to face Aljamain Sterling in this fight but ‘Funkmaster’ didn’t receive medical clearance and Cory Sandhagen accepted a short-notice fight.

Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen went toe to toe against each other for five rounds and in the end, Yan proved out to be a better fighter and won the fight by unanimous decision of the judges. With this win, Petr Yan won the interim Bantamweight title and this performance of both these Bantamweight snipers ranked at number five in our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

4. Jiri Prochazka vs Dominick Reyes (UFC Fight Night: Prochazka vs Reyes)

The former UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes entered the octagon to face the number 2nd ranked Light Heavyweight fighter, Jiri Prochazka at the main event of UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs Prochazka.

This was Prochazka’s only second fight in UFC but he put a hell of a performance and knocked out Reyes in the very second round of their fight with a spinning back fist. This fight was awarded the fight of the night bonus and we ranked it on number four spot in our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

3. Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler (UFC 268)

The fight between the former Lightweight title challenger, Justin Gaethje, and former Bellator Lightweight champion, Michael Chandler has fight of the night written all over it even before it started. These two fighters are one of the heaviest hitters in the Lightweight division and they put a performance for the ages.

Gaethje and Chandler tore each other for three rounds and in the end ‘The Highlight’ won the fight by unanimous decision of the judges. This fight not only won fight of the night, but it is also a contender for fight of the year. This war between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler is ranked number 3 in our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

2. Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega (UFC 266)

The UFC Featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski appeared on this year’s The Ultimate Fighter to coach against the former UFC Featherweight title challenger, Brian Ortega. The build-up for this grudge match was epic as it got developed throughout the TUF.

These two crafty veterans of the sport put on a show for the fight fans around the world and in the end, Volkanovski defended his title by winning the fight with a unanimous decision of the judges. This performance is ranked at number two in our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

1. Max Holloway vs Calvin Kattar (UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs Kattar)

The former UFC Featherweight champion, Max Holloway opened this year’s UFC Fight Night against one of the surging contenders in the Featherweight division, Calvin Kattar. Holloway was the betting favorite to win this fight and he put on a show that will be remembered for years.

‘Blessed’ put on a striking clinic and the UFC president Dana White even feared for Calvin Kattar’s life. This fight is one of the strongest contenders for the fight of the year and this performance of both these Featherweight big guns is ranked at the number one spot in our list of Top 5 fight of the night performances in 2021.

Also Read: Top 5 UFC Debuts in 2021.

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