5 most entertaining rounds from UFC fights in 2021

The UFC is known for the barnburners it promises and delivers to its fans. While some fights go the distance, others end in stellar finishes. Either way, fans are unfailingly kept on the edge of their seats.

This year wasn't any different. It was yet another successful 12 months for Dana White and his colleagues, as the UFC hosted some of the biggest fights in recent memory. Events headlined by the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Kamaru Usman, among others, turned out to be successful and drew fans in large numbers.

While every UFC event was entertaining, some rounds left a lasting impression on the fans.

On that note, here are five of the most entertaining rounds of UFC fights in 2021.

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#5. Round 1: Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira (UFC 262)

Having knocked out Dan Hooker in his UFC debut, Michael Chandler squared off against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 for his second fight. This time it was for the vacant lightweight championship.

Oliveira threw the first meaningful strike of the fight, a leg kick that rattled Chandler in the first minute. However, Chandler was quick to get back to his feet and started throwing punches at the Brazilian.

Oliveira retaliated with a flurry of his own before shooting for a takedown. In hindsight, it was not the best choice. Chandler got the Brazilian in a guillotine choke and for a while it seemed that he had Oliveira in real trouble.

Unfortunately for the American, Oliveira managed to free himself and started controlling the fight from the top position. More dangerously for Chandler, the renowned submission artist soon took his back.

Chandler warded off the danger on the ground by explosively springing back to his feet. He then unleashed a flurry of punches on Oliveira. In a bid to take him down, 'Do Bronx' went for Chandler's leg.

The three-time Bellator champion seemed better prepared this time. He swarmed Oliveira with more punches and dropped him. Thereafter, he hammered his opponent with explosive blows on the ground until the buzzer sounded.

However, Chandler's good run was short-lived. Despite being outfought and nearly losing in the opening round, Oliveira came back magnificently in the second. He stunned Chandler with a perfectly placed left hook and another as his opponent tried to circle away from danger. After a few more punches on the ground, we had a new UFC lightweight champion.

#4. Round 2: Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka (UFC Vegas 25)

Jiri Prochazka pulled off one of the best finishes of 2021 against Dominick Reyes at UFC Vegas 25. The American, visibly exhausted from the pounding he received in round one, took an aggressive approach in the second. However, the Czech seemed undeterred and cautiously warded off the strikes.

Two minutes into the round, things intensified as both light heavyweights engaged in a flurry of exchanges. From hard elbows to flying knees, they tried whatever they could to dominate the other.

Taking advantage of an unsuccessful takedown attempt by Prochazka in the third minute of the round, Reyes tried finishing the Czech using a guillotine choke. Unfortunately, it didn't materialize.

Capitalizing on the failed submission attempt, 'Denisa' fired all cylinders on Reyes from the top position until 'The Devastator' scrambled back to his feet.

However, Prochazka continued the onslaught from the standing position and overwhelmed Reyes with high-volume striking.

Right when it seemed like the round couldn't get any better, the Czech caught Reyes with his back to the cage and uncorked a magnificent spinning elbow to knock him out cold.

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#3. Round 1: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler (UFC 268)

UFC 268 saw Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje lock horns for one of the best fights of the year at the iconic Madison Square Garden arena. It was a game of nerves, grit and determination as Gaethje and Chandler left no stone unturned in punishing each other in the octagon.

Gaethje started in his usual fashion, relying on his explosiveness to stamp his authority over Chandler. However, ‘Iron’ isn’t someone to give up easily.

He charged at Gaethje with everything he had and even managed to land a greater volume of significant strikes in the opening round. According to official UFC stats, Chandler landed 49 significant strikes to Gaethje's 40. Absorbing leg kicks from one of the most effective kickers in the UFC and moving forward isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Interestingly, Michael Chandler took 10 of them in the first round.

The remainder of the fight was pretty much the same. Despite the fatigue and the numerous cuts, both fighters continued trading blows till the end. Although Gaethje eventually won, it was the first time in the UFC that he had to go the distance to secure a victory.

#2. Round 1: Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez (UFC Vegas 42)

Max Holloway's win against Yair Rodriguez via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 42 registered the third-most combined significant strikes in a single UFC fight – 389.

Holloway looked sharp as he led with his punches and rocked Rodriguez with an explosive right hand at one point. Meanwhile, 'El Pantera' was also equally adept at striking and peppered Max Holloway with his kicks in the opening round.

It was a close contest as both fighters registered almost the same number of strikes on target. According to official UFC stats, Holloway outlanded Rodriquez 38-37 in significant strikes in the round.

In the dying moments of the first round, Rodriguez caught Holloway from behind and shot for a takedown. However, 'Blessed' managed to maintain his poise and prevented 'El Pantera' from doing any real damage.

Like most Max Holloway fights, this one was also thoroughly entertaining to watch. After five rounds of back-and-forth action, Holloway was declared the winner via unanimous decision.

Due to the injuries they sustained during the slugfest, the fighters had to miss their post-fight media duties to get medical attention. Both fighters later shared a light moment as they posed for pictures outside the venue before being taken to the hospital.

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#1. Round 3: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega (UFC 266)

The third round of the UFC 266 featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega delivered arguably the most entertaining round of 2021.

The round opened with both fighters continuing to test each other standing. Volkanovski was good with his combinations as he landed powerful shots on Ortega.

Things seemed to be going in the Australian's favor when a left hand from Ortega rattled 'The Great', sending him down to the floor.

Having got the opening he needed, Ortega attempted to finish Volkanovski off with a guillotine choke. However, the UFC featherweight champion miraculously managed to free himself from Ortega's grip and started raining heavy blows on his opponent from the top position.

It looked all over for the American, who seemed gassed out at this point. However, he still had one last move up his sleeve.

Sensing an opportunity, Ortega attempted another submission, this time using a triangle choke. He nearly pulled it off but Volkanovski, once again against all odds, managed to get back to his feet.

What happened next was sheer carnage. With Ortega down on the ground and bleeding, Volkanovski started hammering his head with punches. A TKO seemed imminent, but the referee decided to let things play out until the end of the round.

Volkanovski eventually won the five-round war via unanimous decision. It was the second successful title defense for the Australian.