With Edwards and Usman just locking horns for the third time at UFC 286, take a look at all the previous UFC Championship trilogies.
As of right now, there has been a total of 13 UFC trilogies where at least one of the bouts was contested for an undisputed title. The bouts are listed in order of chronology from when the trilogy was completed. Finally with the criteria set, let’s get into UFC trilogies involving a championship.
Randy Couture vs Vitor Belfort
The first ever of the UFC trilogies that took place for a championship. Saw Randy Couture and Vitor Belfort battle each other across two weight classes. The first of their three bouts came back in October 1997 at UFC 15. Couture picked up the win via TKO at 8:16 of the 15-minute non-title heavyweight bout.
Over six years later the pair would meet again this time at light heavyweight. Taking place at UFC 46, for the title, this was Couture’s first attempt at defending his belt. The bout would end in unfortunate circumstances due to a cut. Declaring Belfort the winner via TKO after just 49 seconds.
The final meeting wouldn’t take as long to materialise. Only seven months later at UFC 48, where Couture avenged the loss. Dishing out a TKO due to a doctor stoppage at the end of the third. Regaining his title in the process this saw Randy reign 2-1 over the Brazilian.
Randy Couture vs Chuck Liddell
After winning, defending and subsequently losing UFC heavyweight gold. Randy Couture would make the drop to light heavyweight. Waiting to challenge him for interim gold was Chuck Liddell. In a meeting of two future legends at UFC 43, it was Couture who scored the victory halfway into round three TKOing the Iceman.
In a rematch two years later, where Liddell had scored three KOs since tasting defeat. He’d get a second shot at gold. Randy was coming off the back of completing his first trilogy with Belfort. As the first ever coaches of TUF met at UFC 52. Liddell would avenge his loss to Couture. Knocking out ‘The Natural’ in round one.
The deciding contest would take place at UFC 54. Both men would pick up a win in between bouts two and three. For the second time, it was Liddell who came out on top. Once again forcing the TKO retirement this time in the fourth. Ending the light heavyweight showdown 2-1 in Liddell’s favour.
Tim Sylvia vs Andrei Arlovski
In the mid-two thousand’s, the heavyweight division was topped by two names for the better part of two years. Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski would fight three times in the space of 15 months. The first of their three bouts would be contested for the interim heavyweight belt at UFC 51. Arlovski would secure the win and interim gold with an Achilles lock submission just 47 seconds into the fight.
Andrei would defend the interim strap once before being promoted to undisputed champion. He defended his undisputed title one time before he faced Tim Sylvia once more. Sylvia entered the bout in good form having put three wins together since their first fight. Sylvia would avenge his loss and earn heavyweight gold as he defeated Arlovski via TKO in round one at UFC 59.
It wouldn’t take long for a third fight between the two to come to fruition. Just three months later at UFC 61, their trilogy would be complete. With one win a piece it was Tim Sylvia who had the last laugh winning the bout and defending his title via unanimous decision.
The two men’s feud would continue outside the UFC where they competed for a fourth time. This fight came six years after their last and would take place in One FC. A no-contest finish left their feud up in the air. In their UFC trilogy, Sylvia bested Arlovski two wins to one.
Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock
One of the most infamous trilogies saw a massive rivalry unfold in the octagon three times. The first time Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock would fight, Tito’s lightweight title would be on the line. At UFC 40, Ortiz would defend his belt as Shamrock’s corner threw in the towel at the end of the third.
Just shy of four years after their first meeting. The bad blood had boiled over, making this bout much more unsavoury in the build-up. With no belt on the line, it was all about bragging rights. Once again the victory would go to Ortiz, who at UFC 61, would TKO Shamrock 1:18 into the fight.
The final bout was all about the rivalry that had reached peak hatred. On an event solely dedicated to the feud in October 2006, Tito would pitch a shutout. Making his record 3-0 against Shamrock TKOing him for the third time.
Georges St-Pierre vs Matt Hughes
This was Hughes’ first of two UFC trilogies involving a championship. A young Georges St-Pierre would enter the UFC in hot form. At 7-0, he would challenge Hughes for the vacant welterweight title at UFC 50. Hughes would win the belt via Armbar with one second remaining in the opening round.
Putting together a five-fight winning streak, GSP would earn a second shot at the gold and this time he would succeed. At UFC 65, St-Pierre would even the score, winning the bout and belt in the second via TKO.
After losing the belt in an all-time UFC upset to Matt Serra. St-Pierre would find himself having to fight Hughes for interim gold at UFC 79. To bring the rivalry full circle, he’d win the fight in the same manner he’d lost the first. Securing an armbar on Hughes 4:54 into round two.
B.J Penn Vs Matt Hughes
Penn makes his first as Hughes now makes his second appearance on the list. Penn would return to the UFC and challenge Hughes for his welterweight title. Successful in his quest Penn would defeat Hughes via first-round rear-naked choke in the UFC 46 co-main event.
It would be two years later before the men would meet again, as Penn absconded the company due to pay disputes. Returning at welterweight where Hughes had once again earned the top spot. Hughes would fare better the second time round where at UFC 63, he’d TKO Penn 3:53 into the third.
It would take four more years for the trilogy to be complete. After successfully gaining, defending then losing lightweight gold. Penn would return to 170 lbs to settle an old score. Settling the score emphatically, Penn would defeat Hughes via KO in just 21 seconds at UFC 123.
Frankie Edgar Vs Gray Maynard
At a UFC Fight Night in April 2008, two undefeated prospects would square off, as 5-0, Gray Maynard took on 9-0, Frankie Edgar. In this bout, it was Edgar who lost his zero. As Maynard prevailed, winning the bout 30-27 across the board.
It would be two years before the two would meet again, this time with UFC lightweight gold on the line. Maynard was still yet to taste defeat, as Edgar had just won and defended his championship against B.J. Penn. At UFC 125 their rematch would end in a split draw (46-48, 48-46, 47-47) with Edgar retaining his championship.
After an inconclusive ending to their previous bout, an immediate rematch was set for UFC 136. On his third attempt, Edgar would finally defeat Maynard. Doing so in the fourth round with a knockout punch.
This would be one of only two trilogies to end 1-1-1. As both have retired this will likely remain unchanged.
Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos
The first ever card on Fox took place in November of 2011. Headling the bill saw Cain Velasquez defend his newly won heavyweight championship against Junior dos Santos. In what many considered a shocking victory, JDS would knock Velasquez out, at just 1:04 of round one.
The rematch came together after both secured victories elsewhere. JDS defended against Frank Mir, while Velasquez took out ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. The second bout was complete domination by Cain setting the rights of the first fight’s wrongs. He scored a unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50,43) at UFC 155.
With roles reversed they once again competed once each. As JDS defeated Mark Hunt in a title eliminator. Where Velasquez would once again defeat Silva to defend his belt. At UFC 166 the trilogy was settled by Velasquez. Winning the bout via TKO in round three with a slam and punches.
Frankie Edgar vs B.J Penn
Two legends of the lightweight division. Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn both have two UFC trilogies under their belts. The first bout between the two would see them compete for Penn’s lightweight championship at UFC 112. Scoring the upset Edgar would win the bout via unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 49-48).
An immediate rematch was set up at UFC 118, just months after their first encounter. Frankie would once again defeat Penn via unanimous decision winning 50-45 across all three scorecards.
Their third and final encounter would wait several years, taking place in July 2014. After a season of TUF which saw the pair as opposing coaches, a finale showdown was set. With no title on the line, and down a weight class from their previous two, it was once again Edgar who prevailed. Putting an exclamation point on the rivalry as he TKOed Penn in round three.
Daniel Cormier Vs Stipe Miocic
The next trilogy came about when then-light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier took on Stipe Miocic at heavyweight for double champ status. Successful in his quest. At UFC 226 DC shocked the world KOing Miocic at the end of the first.
As champion, Cormier defended the belt once, while Stipe took some time away. Miocic would return right into the rematch at UFC 241. Adjusting midway through the fight the former champion would regain his title, using left hooks to the body leading him to TKO Cormier deep into round 4.
This set the stage perfectly for the trilogy. The third saw both have their moments of success, however, it was Miocic who would retain. Defeating Cormier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 252 ending the feud in his favour. Further cementing his status as the heavyweight greatest.
Alexander Volkanovski Vs Max Holloway
Two of the greatest featherweights of all time would clash for the first time at UFC 245. As Max Holloway was well and truly into a potential record-setting run as champion. Alexander Volkanovski would pull the upset defeating the champion in a close decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45).
With the nature of the first fight being close, a second fight was set up immediately for UFC 251. Once again it was the Australian who prevailed this time in a split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47). Volkanovski was now 2-0, but fans questioned the decision as the fights were close.
Off the back of two amazing FOTN victories, Holloway earned the chance to compete for gold once again at UFC 276. At this point, Volkanovski has just put two emphatic title defences on his resume. Putting a lot of doubt to bed, Volkanovski would dominate the third fight. Once again out-pointing Holloway. However this time the scorecard was more decisive and read (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
At UFC UFC 256 a flyweight title bout was set which many considered a foregone conclusion. As champion Deiveson Figueiredo looked to defend against Brandon Moreno. In a fight of the ages, the bout would end in a majority draw (47-46, 47-47, 47-47).
After the inconclusive and exciting performance of fight one. A rematch was promptly set up for UFC 263. Proving his performance in fight one was down to merit, Brandon Moreno became Mexico’s first-ever champion. Stopping Figueiredo by rear-naked choke in the third.
Once again due to the competitiveness and high-level MMA on display. The UFC saw fit to run the bout back once more. This time it was Figueiredo who would see his arm raised. Taking the unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) in a close fight. Ending the trilogy 1-1-1.
Although this ended the trilogy a fourth bout between the two would take place at UFC 283. This ended with Brandon Moreno regaining the belt when he stopped Figuerdo in the third due to a cut.
Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman
The first bout was a fight between two future contenders looking to make their mark on the biggest stage. Taking place at a UFC fight night in December 2015, it was buried on the prelims. Little did the UFC know they’d have one of the all-time great trilogies in its infancy. On the night it was Usman who used his wrestling advantage to score the unanimous decision victory (29–28, 30–27, 29–28).
Two of the UFC’s greatest-ever unbeaten streaks is what it took for the pair to face off again. The second time around it was for the welterweight throne that Usman had held for three years. In one of the greatest comeback knockouts of all time, Leon Edwards would defy the odds, dropping every UFC fan’s jaws in the process. In the last round, he’d head kick himself to championship glory knocking Usman out stiff at UFC 278.
The third fight would take place on Edwards’ home turf, in London, England at UFC 286. With the roar of the crowd behind him Leon rallied to secure a well-fought majority decision victory (48-46, 48-46, 47-47). Despite a point deduction Edwards’ elite kicks and takedown defence saw him take the win.
Before UFC 286, what’s your favourite of the UFC trilogies to involve a championship?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
