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Throughout the history of the UFC, after vying through crowds of contenders, fighters find themselves in highly anticipated match-ups. However, in a sport as unpredictable as mixed martial arts, tragedy does strike. Highly anticipated UFC fights have an impact like no other, but at times, these potential fights appear to be cursed.
With some fighters on the UFC roster being labeled 'must-see' attractions, fans are beginning to understand which fights they believe will end up stealing the shows. For instance, at UFC 268, Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje put on an epic fight. Prior to the fight taking place, fans anticipated a car crash in the form of two lightweights going for broke.
The fight delivered on all pre-fight promises of carnage and more. In the realm of combat sports, highly anticipated fights balloon the UFC and its fighters to new heights.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, sometimes those same fights are taken away from fans before the athletes can even step into the cage. Here are five highly anticipated UFC fights that turned out to be cursed.
#5. Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey vs. former UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg
While the fight seemed close to happening, the stars never quite aligned for these two pioneering legends. The two were linked multiple times to fight one another as they both fought for Strikeforce. Early in their careers, the two would take different trajectories.
As the first UFC women's bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey was a trailblazer. In 2011, Strikeforce was bought out by the UFC, and it's remaining fighters from Strikeforce would be absorbed by the promotion.
However, during that period in time, Cris Cyborg was delayed thanks to a suspension for the use of illegal substances. Cyborg would go to Invicta and dominate until making her way into the UFC in 2015.
With Ronda Rousey's UFC dominance and Cyborg's dominance outside of the octagon, fans were salivating to see the two throw hands. The two fighters use opposing styles as Rousey is known for Judoka throws. Cyborg is more strike heavy and always swings for the knockout.
Many believed that if Rousey could get Cyborg down, it would be her fight to win. However, if the fight stays standing, then Cyborg has a clear path to victory.
The bout will remain cursed as it looks like the two will never get the opportunity to settle their differences. With Rousey now-retired, embracing motherhood and Cris Cyborg defending a 145-pound title at Bellator, it appears the curse will live on in perpetuity.
#4. Former UFC champion Max Holloway vs. former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
In April 2018, former UFC champion Max Holloway was tapped as the replacement for Tony Ferguson after his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov was scratched due to injury. Holloway was suddenly involved in one of the most significant UFC lightweight title fights in history. If Holloway were victorious, he would have joined Conor McGregor as the second two-division champion in UFC history.
Disaster would strike, akin to a shadowy curse, and Max Holloway was declared unfit to compete at UFC 223.
The reason behind Max Holloway's forced withdrawal from the contest came from the New York State Athletic Commission. Doctors for the commission thought Holloway's extreme weight cut was too dangerous, and the bout was subsequently called off at the eleventh hour.
Al Iaquinta instead challenged Nurmagomedov for the vacant lightweight championship. While Nurmadomedov would succeed in the end, 'Ragin Al' still put up an admirable showing. In fact, he remains the only lightweight in history to go five rounds with 'The Eagle'. Nevertheless, fans lost a big one when Holloway and Nurmagomedov got away.
Max Holloway has the distinction of being the only American to capture and defend the 145-pound strap. A fight against Nurmagomedov, even an unsuccessful one, would have catapulted 'Blessed' into superstardom.
Unfortunately, that isn't the only instance where a fight might have been cursed from its inception.
#3. Former UFC interim champion Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz
One bout that got away was Dustin Poirier against Stockton's Nate Diaz.
After a 2-year layoff, reports surfaced that Nate Diaz would return to action against Dustin Poirier. The marquee bout was expected to serve as the co-main event for the UFC 230 pay-per-view. The main event was Louisiana's two-division champion Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis.
As with any Nate Diaz UFC fight announcement, suffice to say, it's big news. UFC fans were in a frenzy after hearing about a potential fight with Poirier. With two lightweights that love to stand and trade, the bout had all of the prerequisites to amount to something extraordinary.
Interestingly, Poirier has mentioned a deeper story as to why the fight fell apart. According to 'The Diamond', he admitted he got hip injections due to injury, but believes that was not the primary force as to why the fight didn't happen.
Despite the potential fight falling through, Poirier has not given up on the idea of fighting Nate Diaz down the line. However, as it stands, the fight is cursed. With only one fight left on Nate Diaz's contract, he certainly won't be fighting Poirier any time soon.
'The Diamond' is expected to face lightweight champion Charles Oliveira on Dec. 11 at UFC 269.
#2. Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal
This pair of top-ranked UFC welterweights have a history, and it comes after 'Gamebred' knocked out Darren Till in London, England. Following the performance against Till, Jorge Masvidal had an infamous scuffle with Leon Edwards. After approaching 'Rocky' with his hands behind his back, things popped off at the UFC event backstage.
One would think, strike while the iron is red-hot with Edwards and Masvidal. However, the UFC opted to go in different directions. The matchmaking, in part, would produce a star just one fight later too. Instead of pairing 'Gamebred' against Edwards, UFC brass pitted Ben Askren against Masvidal. The rest is history, Masvidal secured the fastest knockout in UFC history and his name skyrocketed.
Edwards fought Rafael dos Anjos the very same month that Masvidal scored his record-breaking 5-second, flying knee against Askren. Following two failed title bids against Kamaru Usman, things with Masvidal quieted down. Edwards then went on to challenge Nate Diaz in a high-profile fight.
However, with various fight cancelations, it appeared Edwards and Masvidal would never get the chance to mix it up.
Shockingly, the bout got put together and was expected to take place at UFC 269 on Dec. 11. The injury curse would strike again. Masvidal was forced to pull out of the contest with an undisclosed injury.
As of this writing, it is unclear whether Leon Edwards will remain on the last pay-per-view of the year. One thing is certain: the epic three-piece and a soda fight is cursed.
#1. Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson
This lightweight fight, hands down, is the single most-cursed fight in UFC history. A fight between two lightweights with indomitable spirits and contrasting styles was all but destiny. With Tony Ferguson riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak checkered with bloody finishes, the fight everyone wanted to see along the way was against 'The Eagle'.
Somehow, the two elite lightweights carved out different paths without facing each other. The two were lined up to fight several times. In the span of four years, the pair of lightweight titans struggled to make it to the fight healthy. The first fight in 2015 was scrapped after Nurmagomedov bowed out due to an injury.
After the bout got rescheduled, it was 'El Cucuy' who pulled out because of a lung issue. The curse then continued down its path.
The next scheduled fight between the top lightweights would be scrapped due to a botched weight cut by Khabib Nurmagomedov. It wasn't a lack of effort. Both lightweights endured multiple weight cuts for the chance to finally face each other.
UFC fights are cursed sometimes. While it's rare when fights of such magnitude never get resolved, injuries are an unfortunate byproduct of one of the most dangerous sports on the planet.
However, some fights are simply just not meant to be.
