Top 10 brutal UFC fights of the past decade

Why do we watch the UFC? The answer is more obvious than an illegal knee to the groin. It's quite simply the most aggressive, shocking and, - dare I say - the most brutal sport of the modern age.

Of course, the techniques and skills needed to compete, particularly during this modern era, are unquestionable, and there's plenty to appreciate besides the gore, breaks, bruises, and swells.

On that note, let's take a look at ten of the most brutal fights to take place inside the octagon over the past decade.

*Most fights available to view on Youtube either in their entirety or as extended highlights*

#10 Max Holloway vs Brian Ortega

There were many fans-in-the-know who were convinced that this was to be the fight in which Hawaiian born superstar, Max Holloway, finally lost his belt. Brian Ortega was supposed to choke the guy out in the third. How wrong we all were!

The fight could have been over within a couple of rounds if not for the sheer heart, grit, and determination of one Brian 'T-City' Ortega to fight through the pain barrier, the multiple blows, the blood, and just to do everything he could to stick it out in hope of pulling off one of his miraculous trademark submissions. The technically superior Holloway had other ideas though and kept the jabs and hooks in his opponent's face all night.

By the end, Ortega's swollen head was almost unrecognizable and he succumbed to a barrage of blows and, consequently, a doctor's stoppage at the end of the fourth round. Holloway was just too good on the feet... but what a fight it was!

#9 Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaehtje

This fight had MMA fans the world over licking their lips the very moment it was announced. Both Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez had built reputations for never backing down; never giving an inch, and for fighting on through thick and thin during their respective careers in other organizations.

It didn't disappoint.

The first round was a complete boxing slug-fest, edged by a marginally-slicker Alvarez. But Gaethje returned dramatically in the second, unloading a barrage of bone-shattering leg kicks that would have ended the night of a less game opponent. The third round saw a war of uppercuts before Alvarez ended the night in style with a KO via a high knee - truly a memorable and violent sporting occasion between two fan-favorites.

#8 Kelvin Gastelum vs Israel Adesanya

This championship fight was one of the ultimate back-and-forth contests of the modern era of MMA, a complete war of attrition.

It seemed Kelvin Gastelum had the power in the early rounds, landing some huge strikes that had Israel Adesanya wobbling, and, at that point, many viewers were waiting for a trademark hook to connect, and for Adesanya to crumble. The former kickboxer had no such plans though, emerging from some difficult moments in the middle rounds, in which Gastelum's superior firepower showed, to turn the tables on his opponent and finally put him away in the fifth, unloading a fusillade of strikes that ended with a bloodied Gastellum on the canvas.

The fight was as entertaining as it was violent, and both men finished up winners in the eyes of fans.

#7 Valentina Shevchenko vs Priscila Cachoeira

This fight finally answered the question of 'how much punishment is too much?'

The physically dominant Valentina Shevchenko was able to do whatever she wanted against her game, Brazillian opponent, who could find no way of keeping her out of her guard on the mat.

What followed was an undeniable beatdown - Shevchenko landed almost 200 unanswered strikes (mostly to Cachoeira's face) from the top position during rounds one and two, leaving her opponent a beaten and bloody mess.

Many fans questioned the ability of referee, Mario Yamasaki, for failing to stop the fight, which had been over as a contest for at least two minutes before Shevchenko finally sank in the choke that got her the win. Brutal!

#6 Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Jessica Penne

This fight was hard to watch. The organization had only had the women's strawweight division up and running for a few months and - truth be told - Jessica Penne had no business being in the octagon with the now-former Women's Champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

The Polish Muay-Thai fighter was simply too much for the American, whose nose was broken in the very first round, following a flurry of straight punches. What followed were three rounds of one-sided barbaric punishment to Penne's face, which was unrecognizable by the midway point of the second.

If you enjoy watching one person dominate another, this is the fight for you. But don't forget to tilt the cap to Penne, who showed incredible heart to last until the TKO in the third.

#5 Francis Ngannou vs Alistair Overeem

If you simply want to watch another human being get punched into orbit, this is the fight for you. The heavyweight contest took place at UFC 208 and was a very short-lived affair - the nuclear bomb of octagon wars.

Francis Ngannou ended things quickly with the most brutal uppercut ever seen. The follow-up shot on the mat to an already unconscious Alistair Overeem was sheer overkill and hence it features here among the UFC's biggest wars.

#4 Robbie Lawler vs Rory MacDonald

UFC 189 World Championship Press Tour - Calgary

One of the best fights ever to appear on PPV, Lawler vs MacDonald at UFC189 had everything a viewer could ever want: blood, guts, very broken noses, split lips, and everything in between.

Rounds 4 and 5 were particularly brutal: a dazed and confused Lawler somehow managing to fight back from a barrage of strikes to shatter the already broken nose of MacDonald, who slumped to the floor in agony and defeat. Lawler had his hand raised, retained his championship belt, and the rest is history.

If you haven't seen this fight yet, you are in for a treat.

#3 Antonio Silva vs Mark Hunt

Alternative View - UFC Fight Night: Hunt v Bigfoot

This contest is often referred to as the greatest heavyweight fight of all time, and for good reason! Antonio Bigfoot Silva had Mark Hunt down in the first and even managed to do some damage to those famed tree-trunk-like legs of his. However, Hunt rallied and caught Silva with some brutal glancing elbows in the later rounds, slicing him open in the process.

There were times during the contest when Hunt fought like an aged Muhammed Ali, covering up against the fence, absorbing blows, and then striking back with heavy hooks in a bid to stem the flow of Bigfoot's increasingly barbaric assault. It truly was something special to see.

Unfortunately, the fight was tainted. It was originally declared a draw and Silva tested positive for steroids a few weeks later. Regardless of such matters, the brutality on display that night was unquestionable.

#2 Cain Velasquez vs Antonio Silva

Another of the most gruesome and barbaric matches of all time. There have been worse cuts and wounds, but in terms of the sheer volume of blood that poured from Antonio Silva's head following a short-ranged Velasquez elbow early on, this fight has no equal. Check out the video on Youtube for evidence (it's there in its entirety)... preferably on an empty stomach!

#1 Cub Swanson vs Doo ho Choi

If ever you wake up in the mood to watch two guys go back and forth for three rounds, with neither giving his opponent an inch of space for even a second during fifteen minutes of gladiatorial excellence, this is the fight for you. Cub Swanson vs Doo ho Choi picked up Fight of the Year honors in 2016, and a glance at the highlights on YouTube will explain just why it's so highly regarded.

Swanson came away with a very hard-fought decision-win after he knocked Choi to the ground during the final moments of the fight but before that, it was near impossible to call - both men landing punches, kicks, elbows, and spin attacks galore in search of the win.

These are the brutal fights that keep us coming back. These are the real warriors of sport. Roll on the next UFC main event!

How do you feel about our list? Have we forgotten something? Have your say in the comments section below: