Not every rivalry in the UFC becomes a trilogy—but when it does, you know it’s something special.
Some trilogies are fueled by title stakes. Others are driven by pride, revenge, and unfinished business. But all of them have one thing in common: they shape the legacy of the fighters involved and leave a lasting impact on fans.
From brutal knockouts to razor-close decisions, here are the five greatest UFC trilogies that helped define the sport.
1. Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor (2014–2021)
This trilogy had everything—fame, fireworks, and ferocity.
Their first meeting came in 2014 at UFC 178. McGregor, still rising through the featherweight ranks, knocked out Poirier in under two minutes. That win propelled him toward superstardom.
Fast forward to 2021: both men were now lightweights. At UFC 257, Poirier evened the score with a second-round TKO, showcasing how far he’d come since their first bout.
Then came the trilogy decider at UFC 264, but it ended in drama rather than closure. McGregor snapped his leg at the end of the first round, giving Poirier the win via doctor stoppage.
It wasn’t the ending fans hoped for, but it was undeniably one of the most-watched trilogies in UFC history. All three fights headlined pay-per-view cards, drawing millions in global viewership.
2. Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (2018–2020)
Two heavyweight kings, one unforgettable rivalry.
Daniel Cormier shocked the world at UFC 226, knocking out Miocic in the first round to become the second fighter to hold belts in two divisions simultaneously.
But Miocic came back with a vengeance. At UFC 241, he adjusted mid-fight, targeting DC’s body and finishing him in the fourth round to reclaim the heavyweight strap.
Their trilogy ended at UFC 252, with Miocic outlasting Cormier in a hard-fought five-round battle.
The win cemented Miocic’s status as arguably the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time, while Cormier retired after the fight, leaving behind a legacy of excellence.
3. Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos (2011–2013)
This trilogy helped shape the UFC’s heavyweight division in the early 2010s.
Dos Santos shocked fans in their first meeting on the UFC’s debut on FOX, knocking out Velasquez in just 64 seconds in 2011 to become the new champion.
Velasquez rebounded at UFC 155, dominating Dos Santos over five rounds to reclaim the title. The third bout, at UFC 166, was another brutal display, with Velasquez battering JDS en route to a TKO win in the fifth round.
The trilogy was as much about endurance as it was about skill. These two warriors took years off each other’s careers with the damage they dealt, but fans were treated to a modern-day gladiator series.
4. Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture (2003–2006)
This was the UFC’s original blockbuster trilogy.
In their first bout at UFC 43, Couture—an underdog—shocked Liddell with a third-round TKO. But Liddell bounced back at UFC 52, knocking out Couture in the first round to claim the light heavyweight title.
Their final clash came at UFC 57, and once again, “The Iceman” delivered, finishing Couture with strikes in Round 2.
This trilogy helped elevate the UFC during its early mainstream breakthrough. Both men became Hall of Famers, and their rivalry is still cited as one of the greatest of all time.
5. Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock (2002–2006)
This trilogy wasn’t about belts—it was about bad blood.
Ortiz and Shamrock’s dislike for one another played out over four years. Their first meeting at UFC 40 ended with Ortiz winning by TKO, but what made it memorable was the intensity and buildup.
They ran it back in 2006. Ortiz won the second bout at UFC 61, prompting fans to call for one more. The UFC obliged, and at UFC Fight Night 6.5, Ortiz made it a clean sweep with another first-round TKO.
The rivalry helped carry the UFC through a transitional period and drew record viewership on Spike TV. It was a classic old-school MMA drama that laid the foundation for future grudge matches.
Subscribe
