It’s a tough one, right?

Like trying to single out only one Johnny Cash song. Or pick your favourite kid.

Watch UFC 290: Volkanovski v Rodríguez plus the return of Robert Whittaker as he takes on Dricus Du Plessis on Main Event available on Kayo Sports. Sunday July 9 from 12pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

Understanding that in the 20 years since Elvis Sinosic made our first Octagon walk at UFC 30 – and, wonderfully, as ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Rumble’ — this nation’s cage fighting story has grown into a chaotic swirl of biff, belts, shocks, shoeys, hope, heart, even that Holly Holm headkick heard around the world.

So picking just 50, in order … it’s no easy feat.

Especially when the bloody things keep piling up.

Take this Sunday for example, when no less than five of the nation’s toughest Australians – and led by arguably the toughest anywhere on earth, Alexander Volkanovski – throw down at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.

Apart from having Volk again defending his title, this time against Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez, we also have Rob Whittaker continuing his journey back to Israel Adesanya, Jack Della rising, Jimmy Crute seeking the same and Shannon Ross, who fought his way into the UFC with a ruptured appendix, now chasing that first win.

Only a few years ago, the idea of Australia dominating this biggest of International Fight Week events would’ve seemed impossible. Even absurd.

No longer.

With the only question now being exactly where this card will sit on our ‘50 Greatest UFC moments’ come late Sunday afternoon.

In this second of a two-part series, Fox Sports Australia looks at our best UFC moments from 25 to 1 … See the 50-26 list here.

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25. Jake Matthews becomes youngest UFC fighter ever

Aged just 19, Melbourne’s Jake Matthews became what was in 2014 the youngest fighter in UFC history when he signed on the back of staggering 17-zip record. Initially dubbed a Justin Bieber lookalike, Matthews rose to prominence on The Ultimate Fighter: Nations — which pitted the best young fighters from Australia and Canada. Following on from the popular TUF: Smashes series, the show launched not only Matthews but countrymen like Dan Kelly, Richie Walsh, Vik Grujic, Brendan O’Reilly and Chris Indich. Almost a decade on however, it’s Matthews who is the sole survivor, outgrowing his ‘Celtic Kid’ moniker and incredibly given his 17 appearances and 11 wins, only now entering what is considered his athletic fight prime.

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24. Dana White v Mark Hunt

Great fights are built around rivalries, and in UFC terms they come no bigger than Australian heavyweight Mark Hunt’s war with Dana White. While the UFC president once listed Hunto among his favourite fighters, the pair no longer speak after the slugger attempted to sue the UFC for, he insists, knowingly matching him against a juiced up Brock Lesnar at UFC 200. Which was the undeniable tipping point in a relationship that also saw White once offer Hunt, during a run of outs, $400,000 to quit the company and then years later stood him down – and demanded he undertake brain scans in the US — after the fighter spoke in a news article about struggling with memory and slurring his words.

23. NSW Government’s $16M UFC deal

NSW Premier and unabashed fight fan Chris Minns has ensured Sydney is set to become a regular fixture on the UFC calendar after recently striking a deal for the Harbour City to host three major cards over the next four years. The first event will be UFC 293, slated for September 10. Israel Adesanya is expected to headline the card, and hopefully against Australia’s own Robert Whittaker. The deal is a huge result for the sport locally and represents the first time in six years that the Octagon returns to Sydney.

22. Hunt sheds 20kg in Mexico

Mark Hunt jogging the streets of Mexico City in 2014, attempting to shed a staggering 20kg, is one of the most enduring images of Australia’s UFC history. As a late call up to fight Brazilian Fabricio Werdum for the interim heavyweight title, Hunt was forced to shed 15 per cent of his body weight within three weeks – which at one point, meant fasting for 16 days – while also acclimatising to a city 2240m above sea level. Or put another way, brutal. On his best days, the big fella dropped four kegs and eventually beat the scales, and then almost Werdum … with the Aussie coming out so strong that it seemed a huge upset was on the cards through round one, then into the second when – thwack – a Werdum flying knee ended the fairytale. Coming into this fight, the big fella had been on a tear of four straight wins which included brutal finishes of Stefan Struve, Cheick Kongo and Chris Tuchscherer.

21. Whittaker calls for fight from ambulance, with twisted bowel

Slated to face American Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Whittaker was instead rushed to hospital around 3am on fight morning for emergency surgery – having suffered a twisted and collapsed bowel, plus an internal hernia of the intestine. Incredibly, ‘The Reaper’ would tell wife Sophia from his hospital stretcher that he still wanted to fight in the Rod Laver Arena headliner, which had sold out in just eight minutes. Which is about the time that doctors warned the fighter that, should he try to do the unthinkable, a body shot could kill him. Regardless, Bobby Knuckles was still contemplating an arena dash just five minutes before going under the knife.

20. Volk almost loses a leg

It was meant to be the biggest win of his breakout career, instead Alexander Volkanovski almost lost a leg after beating Brazilian legend Jose Aldo at UFC 237 in Rio. Initially due to fly home in three separate stages, Volk was instead rushed to hospital during a layover in Chile after contracting a severe bacterial infection that without immediate treatment would have spread to his bones, and likely required amputation. The incident would be just one of several endured by the tough Wollongong concreter, and son of a Wollongong concreter who at different stages has also overcome a serious back condition and, in the US, a bout of Covid so severe he was coughing up blood.

19. Tuivasa ices Black Beast

Talk about a Mt Druitt hellbow. Of all the knockouts in Tai Tuivasa’s wonderfully chaotic career, our pick has to be that explosive elbow from in tight which knocked American KO King Derrick Lewis cold. Despite being a big underdog at UFC 271, Tuivasa went and silenced the boisterous Houston, Texas crowd – all there to see their hometown boy add another KO to the biggest kill list in UFC history – in spectacular fashion. But then even more incredibly, the crowd soon began cheering, shouting and offering up their shoes in tribute. Think the ending to Rocky IV, only if the Russians were Texans and Adrian a white, Nike filled with liquid gold.

18. WA cage ban lifted

Incredibly for a country that now boasts some of the biggest names anywhere in the UFC, Octagons were still outlawed in Western Australia as recently as 2017. Thankfully in June of that year however, the McGown Government finally lifted the ban on all things ‘cage fighting’ … which was wonderful for every bar Luke Rockhold, who got iced by Yoel Romero at Perth’s inaugural UFC event eight months later. Regardless, UFC 221 was a cracking event and, coincidentally, also created the next moment on our list …

17. Israel Adesanya wins on debut

Sure, everyone had heard the whispers, but to see Israel Adesanya dismantle Australia’s Rob Wilkinson so easily at UFC 221 in Perth, eventually earning a TKO via knees and punches in the second, suggested that all the talk coming from across the ditch about this rangy, African-born kid … well, there definitely appeared to be more than a little in it. Interesting to note too that, despite already being on a run of three straight wins, Alexander Volkanovski came out one fight on the undercard. When it comes to Adesanya performances on Australian soil, an obvious shout out too for his win over the legendary Anderson Silva at UFC 234 – which at times looked as if lifted straight from a video game.

16. Whittaker walks away from UFC

Robert Whittaker was halfway up a Wanda sandhill on Christmas Day four years ago when he did the unthinkable – and stopped. “What the f… am I doing?’’ he asked himself. Right before disappearing for an enforced sabbatical that would last days, then weeks, and eventually lead to bizarre whispers about donating bone marrow to his sick daughter. Instead, Australia’s first UFC champ underwent a complete overhaul of his team, training schedules, fight camps, everything — citing a “burn out” which traced all the way back to his two wars with Cuban monster Yoel Romero. Since returning, The Reaper has won four of five in some of the best performances of his storied career, dropping only a UFC title rematch against Israel Adesanya.

15. George Sotiropoulos wins seven straight

Back when the UFC was still battling to get over in Australia, a wiry Melbourne grappler went on a twisting, submitting run that not only turned the lightweight division into knots but almost landed him a title bout. A Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt who travelled the globe to hone his fight skills, ‘Georgie Sots’ won seven straight Octagon appearances in the early 2000s. Which for perspective, promoted the UFC to pay for a crew of Aussie journos over to cover his fight against Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 116 – where he would earn a sixth straight win on the Brock Lesnar undercard. While the Geelong native never got to the title fight so many thought he deserved, Sots still paved the way for so much that has happened since thanks to that run where he submitted no less than Joe Lauzon.

14. Mark Hunt’s walk off Sydney KO

Hunto was without a win in five years — and had even been offered $400,000 by Dana White to quit his contract — when he sauntered out for what was just the second fight of the night at UFC 127 in Sydney. Then, well, the big fella lit up Brock Lesnar’s training partner like a Christmas tree. In an enduring highlight reel moment that effectively ignited the second coming of an Aussie combat legend, Hunt scored a glorious walk off KO against American Chris Tuchscherer, whose peroxided blond hair he had already turned pink with blood. When asked afterwards what was next for him, this enduring cult favourite told us with a shrug: “I’m headed home to mow the grass”.

13. Whittaker wins TUF: Smashes

Rob Whittaker once told us he only ever signed onto Australia’s 2012 series of The Ultimate Fighter to get himself a free tracksuit. Which is some yarn. But even better, the fact this CityRail electrician then went and won the bloody thing. Putting a slight twist on the traditional TUF reality TV series, 16 fighters from both Australia and the UK were tossed into a sprawling Sydney home for the hyped knockout competition. In the lightweight section, it was Irishman Norman Parke who triumphed. Then at welterweight, it was Whittaker, the anonymous Sutherland sparkie all fast hands, promise and Southern Cross chest tattoo. Interestingly, a Wollongong concreter named Alexander Volkanovski also tried out for the same show, but was considered too quiet by UFC types for reality TV.

12. Elvis Sinosic wins at UFC 30

Long before Volk, Bam Bam and Bobby Knuckles, Australia had the King of Rock ‘n’ Rumble — Elvis Sinosic. While these days forging a political career, 20 years ago the ‘King’ was Australia’s first UFC fighter – and within a round our first winner and, incredibly, title contender. After upsetting Jeremy Horn with a triangle armbar at UFC 30, Sinosic was then catapulted straight into a title fight against the legendary Tito Ortiz. Despite losing that fight, he would still go on to provide tough opposition for the likes of Forrest Griffin and Michael Bisping, while cutting the jungle path for so many who have come since.

11. Whittaker v Romero wars

Alone, these two fights would be considered the type that take years off a fella’s life. But combined? You have to wonder how a human being even survives it. Yet survive, Bobby Knuckles did. In fact, while now boasting one of the most impressive resumes anywhere in the UFC, there is no doubting his notoriety, popularity, legacy, all of it was built in his consecutive wars with Cuban monster Yoel Romero. Back when the Olympic medallist was a man nobody wanted to face, Whittaker fought him twice – and won both, too. First time out, with a knee badly busted in the second round. Then in their famed rematch, The Reaper would fight through some 25 minutes with a broken hand. Elsewhere in what eventually became almost an hour of fighting, he was rocked, dropped, revered, bloodied, won $100,000 in bonuses, plus interim strap – later upgraded to the real thing – and eventually earned that reputation now tattooed forever to his name. Of course, there are a host of Whittaker fights that could hold a place in this list, including his wins over Jacare Souza and Kelvin Gastelum.

10. The Shoeyvasa phenomenon

The exact moment Tai Tuivasa went global? Tough to say. Although we think his first shoey may have come after icing Cyril Asker at UFC 221. Which was simply the continuation of what is now a laughing, punching, dancing, skolling Octagon phenomenon. Arriving into the UFC via devastating flying knee, Tuivasa has since morphed from anonymous Sydney streetfighter into global fight favourite all big smiles, belly dances, Spice Girl walkouts, FTA lip tattoos and that unmistakable signature of drinking from the shoes of strangers. Oh yeah, the bloke could also land a gig punching portholes into cruise liners. All of which is why, win or lose, people just can’t wait to see that next Bam Bam fight.

9. Volk ends Dagestani myth

If Woody Harrelson’s girlfriend taught us anything in White Men Can’t Jump, it’s that sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win. There was also something in there about a tie but you get the point. Or certainly Volk does after UFC 284 in February, when despite losing in his push to become ‘champ champ’ against Islam Makhachev, he entered a new stratosphere in terms of notoriety, popularity, respect, all of it. Over five rounds Volk didn’t simply destroy the great Dagastani wrestling myth, but cackle heartily in its face — even after having his back taken. When Volk walked out to Land Down Under, the arena shook. While on countless TV sets around the country, in proved a Pay-Per-Views belter. So while on paper this may have been the champ’s first loss in 10 years and 22 fights, it was undoubtedly a win for so much that matters.

8. Volk goes No.1 P4P

This isn’t so much one moment, as a collection of them. Understanding how on the Tuesday last August when Alexander Volkanovski became the best fighter on earth, nothing much happened outside the regular weekly updating of those online UFC rankings. But in truth, when Volkanovski became pound-for-pound king, it was the culmination of so many incredible moments – each of which could easily have its own space on this list. And some do. But the one we really want to pay tribute to here is his wonderful – sorry, impossible — escape from Brian Ortega’s triangle choke at UFC 266. A moment that not only defined a man, but sent the fight world nuts. No surprise either given Volk took the win after not once, but twice escaping deep Ortega chokes, including that signature squeeze for which he earned his ‘T-City’ nickname. Special mention also to those other moments that took Volk to the top spot, and could easily have their own spot elsewhere, including his Korean Zombie demolition and Chad Mendes TKO.

7. Melbourne cage ban lifted

We Aussies may have started a little late on this whole UFC thing, but there is no doubting a huge shift arrived in 2015 when the Victorian government finally lifted its ‘cage fighting’ ban. While the sport of MMA had been taking place for years inside boxing rings, the decision meant the UFC roadshow could finally do business in Australia’s sporting capital – which within months they did. Big time. With UFC president Dana White announcing that he was set to bring no less than US megastar Ronda Rousey to Melbourne as the headline act for UFC 193, an event which changed everything.

6. Mark Hunt v Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva

Greatest fight ever on Australian soil? Good luck arguing against it. Especially given over 25 minutes in this one, Mark Hunt and ‘Bigfoot’ Silva went and painted a wonderfully violent artwork in the only colour available to them – blood red. Here, truly, was a slobberknocker where over 300 strikes were thrown, both men were dropped multiple times, then hospitalised and Hunto … well, he landed over 90% of punches onto his rival’s bloodied Brazilian melon. By the fifth, Silva even needed to be helped from his stool in a fight where one judge eventually scored for Hunt 48-47, while two more went 47-47, ensuring a majority draw. While the pair would rematch a few years later, there was no chance of bottling the lightening twice – with Hunt winning in the first.

5. UFC 110: The show finally arrives Down Under

It sold out in just 20 minutes, and Australia’s first UFC card didn’t disappoint. Think a day where rising heavyweight Cain Velasquez finished Big Nog quick, James Te Huna won with a broken arm and Chris Lytle popped a rival’s knee. Elsewhere on what would eventually become a UFC 110 blockbuster in Sydney, George Sotiropoulous continued his winning run, the doc stopped two fights, while newbies marvelled at the viciousness of fellas dubbed Cro Cop and The Axe Murderer. Throw in a Ryan Bader flying knee and just like that the UFC had found a new home.

4. The headkick heard around the world

When Ronda Rousey arrived Down Under in 2015, she was not only among the biggest sporting stars anywhere on earth, but hyped as a woman who could beat men — the female Mike Tyson. Then, in front of 56,000 screaming Aussies – whooshka – the hype was ended in every sense. In one of the UFC’s most enduring moments, rank outsider Holly Holm delivered the headkick heard around the world at UFC 193 … and sent Rousey to the land of wind and ghosts. Importantly, and given the Rousey profile, this was also the blockbuster main event that really put the UFC ‘over’ with the nation’s mainstream sports fans.

3. Izzy becomes UFC king

OK, so this may not exactly be the most endearing memory for Aussie fight fans – especially the one we know with Rob Whittaker’s portrait tattooed onto his left forearm. But still, as far as UFC moments are concerned, they don’t come much bigger than Israel Adesanya’s incredible KO win over ‘The Reaper’ at UFC 243. Before a UFC record crowd of some 60,000 fans in Melbourne, Adesanya stopped Whittaker and started one the company’s greatest rivalries. Apart from sending Izzy into a new stratosphere, this fight also sent Whittaker on what he has continually insisted since is a continuing journey back to UFC gold.

2. Whittaker becomes Australia’s first champion

Robert Whittaker, incredibly, was travelling somewhere over the Victorian border in 2017, headed towards a Mt Buller fight camp, when he became Australia’s first UFC champion. Never realised it initially, either. With his mobile phone reception on said stretch of bitumen so bad, all the fighter heard in his call from agent Titus Day was something like “mate … GSP … champ … congrats”. Minutes later however, Whittaker called back to learn Canadian legend Georges St Pierre had vacated at middleweight for health reasons – with the UFC immediately crowning him, as interim champ, the new king. Which, while undeniably deserved, still sits among the more bizarre routes to gold. A moment too in which so much changed for both Bobby Knuckles and the sport Down Under.

1. Volk v Holloway Trilogy

Alexander Volkanovski, they said, would never beat Max Holloway once. Instead, he cleaned up the UFC legend three times. By the finish too, putting such a beating on the Hawaiian great – even with a broken hand – he’s now widely considered the greatest fighter anywhere. Individually, all three of these bouts would be worthy of a place our top 10. But combined? Has to be No.1. After upsetting Holloway for the title at UFC 245, Volk then defended at UFC 251, although this time via split decision. The result had many insisting ‘Blessed’ was still best – until the kid from Windang delivered such a lopsided beating at UFC 276 it removed all doubt. Better, the fights also represent the continuing growth of Australia’s UFC featherweight king — a fighter, father and genuine knockabout whose popularity has continued to rise through a TUF coaching gig, Cooking With Volk series, popular Youtube channel and Instagram account boasting some 1.3 million followers.