Best UFC Comebacks of 2023: 10 fighters who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat

The year 2023 saw some of the finest UFC comebacks ever. These comebacks are proof of the unpredictable nature of this sport. A fighter could dominate the entire fight, only to be knocked out or submitted in the final seconds of the final round.

Many fighters have built a career out of these incredible comebacks that linger in the minds of fight fans. Here, we have presented the best comebacks in UFC in 2023. The list looks at comebacks of various sorts and not just finishing a losing fight via Hail Mary. A fighter might lose the first round and rally back to win rounds 2 and 3. These comebacks also make the list.

[related-content] Related: Top 5 UFC comebacks of 2022 [/related-content]

Honorable mentions for the best comebacks in UFC for 2023

2023 was a year filled with comeback wins. Fighters gave their all in the octagon and proved victorious, even when hope was bleak. These are some fights that were great comebacks but just didn’t get into the top 10 list.

Alex Pereira edged out Jan Blachowicz to win a decision in his first light heavyweight bout. Although he found himself in trouble in the first round, Ian Garry finally found his luck in the third, winning via TKO against Song Kenan.

Dricus Du Plessis went on to win via TKO against Derek Brunson after struggling in the first round. Sean Strickland weathered the early storm to get a TKO victory over the formidable Abus Magomedov. All these fights deserve an honorable mention.

10. Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev

At UFC 286, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev battled in an exciting lightweight battle. Gaethje, a past interim champion, demonstrated persistence and grit despite Fiziev’s striking expertise. The fight featured furious exchanges with Gaethje’s famous leg kicks and Fiziev’s precise punching. Fiziev easily won the first round and was winning the second round until Gaethje adjusted.

Gaethje started using jabs to stop Fiziev’s momentum. The technique completely stopped Fiziev, and Gaethje ended up bloodying his opponent. The judges’ decisions showed the fight’s closeness. Gaethje won a majority decision. Who would have thought simple jabs would work the magic?

9. Raul Rosas Jr. vs Christian Rodriguez

At UFC 287, Christian Rodriguez pulled a stunning victory, becoming the first fighter to beat the previously undefeated Raul Rosas Jr. Rodriguez encountered hardship in the first round of a dramatic main card opener and survived submission attempts from Rosas Jr. This included a standing rear-naked choke attempt. 

Rodriguez’s resilience and grappling ability took over as the fight went on, dominating the exchanges and gaining a unanimous decision victory. Rodriguez was the better striker and used it perfectly to derail the hype train of Rosas Jr. The fight ended Rosas Jr.’s unbeaten record and showcased the unpredictable nature of MMA.

8. Chidi Njokuani vs Michal Oleksiejczuk

Michal Oleksiejczuk put on a fantastic performance at UFC Fight Night 225. He claimed a stunning comeback victory against Chidi Njokuani. Njokuani demonstrated his Muay Thai talents with powerful knees and low kicks in a fierce brawl, putting Oleksiejczuk at risk.

However, Oleksiejczuk turned the tide with a critical takedown, unleashing ground and pound to score a first-round TKO at 4:16. The victory demonstrates his tenacity and striking ability, confirming his place in the UFC light heavyweight class.

7. Muhammad Mokaev vs. Jafel Filho

Muhammad Mokaev showed great resilience and drive when facing Jafel Filho at UFC 286. Despite being a top-15 UFC flyweight and unbeaten prodigy, Mokaev faced a stiff battle from Filho, who was making his debut. Mokaev finally secured takedowns and dominated ground control throughout the fight.

Filho attempted a kneebar in the third round, which appeared to jeopardize Mokaev’s perfect record. Mokaev withstood the submission attempt and reversed the situation. Mokaev took his opponent’s back and sank in a rear-naked choke for the win. Despite a suspected knee injury, Mokaev’s outstanding performance demonstrates his perseverance and brilliance.

6. Elves Brener vs. Guram Kutaladze

Elves Brener beat the odds to earn a spectacular upset victory over Guram Kutateladze at UFC on ESPN 47. Brener demonstrated perseverance and tactical brilliance despite being a heavy underdog. The bout was close, with Kutateladze looking to have the upper hand at first. 

However, Brener delivered a left hand on Kutateladze’s right temple. It prompted Kutaladze to take a step back to defend himself. It led to a TKO at 3:17 of Round 3 after Brener followed through with some strikes. This incredible comeback is Brener’s second consecutive victory in the UFC, cementing his standing as a rising lightweight star.

5. Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner

Dan Hooker defeated Jalin Turner in a hard-hitting contest at UFC 290, capturing the attention of fans at the T-Mobile Arena. The fight, which ended in a split decision, featured technical striking in the first round before erupting into a violent brawl in the second. Turner’s early control was challenged as Hooker unleashed a flurry of blows, nearly winning a late submission. Hooker won via split decision.

Dan Hooker suffered an injury that troubles him to this day. Turner landed heavy, significant strikes. However, none of them managed to stop Hooker as he came forward to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Hooker’s performance remains fresh in the minds of MMA fans.

4.  Nicholas Dalby vs. Gabriel Bonfim

Nicolas Dalby stunned the world by breaking Gabriel Bonfim’s unbeaten record at UFC Sao Paulo. Despite being the underdog, Dalby showed tenacity, changing the tide in the second round with persistent pressure, including punches, elbows, and knees. 

The Danish took all the damage he could in the opening round. When most fans expected Bonfim to continue the onslaught, Dalby shocked the world. Dalby’s toughness took Bonfim by surprise. Eventually, Dalby used his experience and cardio to tire out Bonfim and win the bout via TKO.

3.  C.J. Vergara vs. Daniel Lacerda

The fight between C.J. Vergara and Daniel Lacerda at UFC San Antonio was thrilling. Lacerda’s striking skills were displayed in the first round. He used spinning kicks and powerful punches that put Vergara in difficult positions. Despite hardship, Vergara showed remarkable fortitude, surviving numerous knockdowns and a rear-naked choke attempt. Some analysts noted that the judges should have scored 10-8 in the first round.

Vergara staged a spectacular comeback in the second round, displaying excellent boxing and ground strikes. Finally, at 4:04, he earned a TKO victory, staging a stunning turnaround and creating a lasting impression on viewers without using any borrowed substance.

2. Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 1

Alexa Grasso defeated reigning UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in a stunning shock at UFC 285. Grasso fought well in the first round. However, Shevchenko used her well-rounded skill set to win rounds 2 and 3. However, Grasso did not give up on the relentless pressure from Shevchenko. Shevchenko tried to land an ill-fated spinning wheel kick in the fourth round.

Grasso’s smart training to counter the champion’s spinning kicks paid off. Grasso took the back of the champion and submitted her via neck crank. Grasso’s victory was a historic event in UFC history as she became the first Mexican woman to win the UFC gold.

1. Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff

Edson Barboza endured a first-round scare against Sodiq Yusuff in a dramatic UFC Fight Night 230 encounter. He showed tenacity to score a decisive comeback win. Yusuff’s onslaught of blows had the 37-year-old Barboza reeling in the first minute. On the other hand, Barboza survived the storm and turned the pace in the second round with a precise right-hand strike to Yusuff’s jaw. 

Barboza’s domination remained throughout, culminating in a spinning wheel kick in the third round. Despite a swollen face, Barboza never gave up. He outclassed the rising contender Yusuff with perfect striking techniques. Such a performance in his late thirties makes Barboza the number-one UFC comeback in 2023.

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