Not every fight goes according to plan, and throughout MMA history, there have been some truly disastrous performances that left fans and analysts stunned. Whether due to lack of preparation, bad game plans, or sheer domination by the opponent, these performances stand out for all the wrong reasons. Here are the top five worst performances in MMA history.
1. Ben Askren vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC 239, 2019)
Ben Askren came into the UFC with an undefeated record and a reputation as a dominant wrestler. However, his fight against Jorge Masvidal ended in humiliating fashion. Just five seconds into the bout, Masvidal landed a flying knee that knocked Askren out cold, marking the fastest KO in UFC history. Askren never even had a chance to implement his wrestling, making this one of the worst performances ever.
2. CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall (UFC 203, 2016)
CM Punk’s transition from WWE to the UFC was met with massive hype, but his performance against Mickey Gall was nothing short of disastrous. Punk was taken down immediately and dominated on the ground before being submitted in just over two minutes. His complete lack of MMA experience was painfully evident, making this one of the most one-sided fights in UFC history.
3. Ronda Rousey vs. Amanda Nunes (UFC 207, 2016)
After suffering her first loss to Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey took a year off before returning to face Amanda Nunes. However, her comeback was short-lived. Nunes battered Rousey with strikes, exposing her lack of striking defense and finishing her in just 48 seconds. The once-dominant champion never fought again, and her legacy took a major hit.
4. James Toney vs. Randy Couture (UFC 118, 2010)
Boxing champion James Toney thought he could transition into MMA, but he learned the hard way that striking alone isn’t enough. Facing legendary grappler Randy Couture, Toney was taken down immediately and submitted in just over three minutes. He landed zero significant strikes, making this one of the worst crossover performances in UFC history.
5. Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes (UFC 225, 2018)
Alistair Overeem, a seasoned veteran, had no answer for Curtis Blaydes’ wrestling and ground-and-pound. Blaydes dominated him throughout the fight before landing some of the most brutal elbows in UFC history, knocking Overeem unconscious. The performance was so one-sided that it signaled the decline of Overeem’s title aspirations.
Final Thoughts
MMA is unpredictable, and even the best fighters can have terrible nights. Whether due to poor preparation, bad matchups, or simply being outclassed, these performances remind us that anything can happen in the fight game. While some fighters recovered from these defeats, others saw their careers take a major downturn.
What do you think is the worst performance in MMA history? Let us know!
