UFC: The 10 Most Closely-Contested Title Fights in the Zuffa Era

Since the UFC was purchased by Zuffa in early 2001, the promotion has run more than 100 events. During that time, there have been nearly as many title fights. Of those, many have been closely-contested bouts, and some have been surrounded by controversy.

As a result, things like Octagon control and effective leg kicks have become common topics among MMA fans. Debates about these topics have never been more heated than when the title is at stake.

Let's take a look at of the most memorable championship bouts, whether they were back-and-forth battles that ended with a clear winner or whether they are still being debated to this day.

Rob Tatum is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, Follow @RobTatumMMA.

UFC 52: Matt Hughes Defeats Frank Trigg by Submission

In the second meeting between welterweight champion Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg, Trigg connected with a low blow that was ignored by the referee. With Hughes hurt, Trigg took advantage and looked to end the fight by rear-naked choke.

However, the resilient champion survived the choke attempt, picked up Trigg and carried him across the Octagon in one of the most iconic sequences in UFC history. Hughes slammed Trigg violently to the mat and secured a rear-naked choke of his own. Trigg was forced to tap, much like the pair's first meeting.

Although the action lasted only four minutes, the back-and-forth battle remains one of the most exciting title fights in the sport's history.

UFC 116: Brock Lesnar Defeats Shane Carwin by Submission

July of 2010 marked one of the biggest heavyweight collisions in the history of the sport, as decorated wrestlers Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin locked horns to unify UFC gold.

The opening round saw the interim champ, Carwin, strike first. The heavy-handed Colorado-based fighter put Lesnar on his back against the cage and rained punches while searching for a referee stoppage. Despite the onslaught, Lesnar survived the round.

In the second round, Lesnar took advantage of a tired Carwin and quickly secured a takedown. Once in an advantageous position, Lesnar applied an arm-triangle choke and forced Carwin to submit.

The decisive victory proved Lesnar was fully recovered from illness and was still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.

UFC 132: Dominick Cruz Defeats Urijah Faber by Unanimous Decision

Former WEC kingpins Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber went to war for five full rounds in the main event at UFC 132. The fight marked an opportunity for revenge, as Faber submitted Cruz while the two were competing in the WEC. However, the tables were turned as Cruz was the fighter holding gold in this contest.

The two bantamweights kept a relentless pace throughout the entire fight. Cruz used his speed and superior striking to frustrate Faber for most of the fight, but Faber connected with a number of big shots to keep the fight close.

The judges' scorecards awarded Cruz the decision, but the scores did not reflect how close the fight was in the cage. Both fighters would go on to win their next bouts, setting up a pivotal third confrontation between the two fighters. The pair will be matched up as coaches on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter before headlining UFC 148 in July.

UFC 143: Carlos Condit Defeats Nick Diaz by Unanimous Decision

With current UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre out of action due to knee surgery, an interim title fight between former WEC champion Carlos Condit and former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz was selected to headline UFC 143.

Throughout the five-round affair, Diaz stalked Condit around the cage, but struggled to find a rhythm. Condit utilized expert footwork and mixed in a variety of kicks that frustrated Diaz. Despite Diaz's pleas to engage, Condit stuck to his game plan and earned the fight on all three judges' scorecards.

The result produced controversy and debate in the MMA community, and it appeared that a rematch was likely to occur. Unfortunately, Diaz tested positive for marijuana use and the plans were scrapped.

UFC 86: Forrest Griffin Defeats Quinton Jackson by Unanimous Decision

When Ultimate Fighter season one winner Forrest Griffin was matched up with former Pride superstar Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, many felt that Jackson would run through the less experienced light heavyweight.

However, over the course of five rounds Griffin's use of leg kicks largely slowed the attack of the aggressive Jackson. In large part, both the grappling and striking components of this fight were dead even.

In the end, the judges felt that Griffin's strategy was more effective and awarded the fighter the UFC championship. To this day, the outcome is still debated and Jackson believes he won the bout.

UFC 112: Frankie Edgar Defeats BJ Penn by Unanimous Decision

When Frankie Edgar stepped into the Octagon at UFC 112 against BJ Penn, few outside of his native New Jersey were giving the fighter much of a chance. Penn largely had a stranglehold over the lightweight division since earning the title in 2008.

In the warm Abu Dhabi air, the two fighters engaged in a back-and-forth battle on the feet that could have been scored either way. Edgar's speed and footwork kept Penn from scoring a knockout blow. When the scorecards were read, Edgar came out on top. While the decision was not a robbery, a scorecard of 50-45 only fueled the debate and the UFC granted Penn and immediate rematch.

At UFC 118, Edgar validated his prior win over Penn with a dominant performance that put the debate to rest for good.

UFC 117: Anderson Silva Defeats Chael Sonnen by Submission

Brazilian Anderson Silva is largely considered MMA's most dominant fighter. At UFC 117, Silva was matched against wrestling stalwart Chael Sonnen. Most experts expected Silva to quickly dismantle the former WEC competitor.

In a shocking turn of events, Sonnen was able to repeatedly takedown Silva and neutralize the Brazilian's dangerous striking attack. As the fight entered its fifth and final round, it was clear that Sonnen was ahead on the scorecards. With just minutes left in the bout, Silva applied a triangle choke and forced Sonnen to tap. The last-minute comeback was one of the most unexpected events in MMA history.

Silva has continued to defend his middleweight strap, while Sonnen was suspended for one year due to elevated levels of testosterone. Since his return, Sonnen has reeled off two straight wins and will again challenge Silva for UFC gold at UFC 147 in June.

UFC 104: Lyoto Machida Defeats Mauricio Rua by Unanimous Decision

When Brazilians Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua were matched up at UFC 104, no one expected the fight to end as the most hotly debated fight in UFC history.

Machida entered the fight undefeated and his karate style was a puzzle that had yet to be solved. Meanwhile, the former Pride champion Rua looked to regain his championship form.

Over the course of the fight Rua appeared to solve the puzzle, scoring at will with leg kicks and counterstrikes. Machida's elusiveness was largely a nonfactor, as Rua battered his legs from the opening bell. Shockingly, all of the judges at cage side scored the bout for Machida.

Many consider the decision to be one of the biggest robberies in MMA history and UFC President Dana White announced an immediate rematch the same night. In the second bout, Rua made sure the fight would not see the scorecards, emphatically knocking out Machida in the first round to capture the UFC belt.

UFC 41: BJ Penn Fights Caol Uno to a Draw

At UFC 41, the lightweight division was supposed to get a new champion. The belt was vacated by Jens Pulver and a four-man tournament was held to determine the new champion.

The final fight matched young grappling ace BJ Penn against Japanese veteran Caol Uno. The two fighters had their moments in the bout, but neither was able to finish the other. When the scorecards were read, the verdict was a split draw.

Not only did the fight leave the division without a champion, it would lead to the division going on hiatus for an additional three years. Penn would move to the welterweight division while Uno would return to his native Japan.

UFC 125: Frankie Edgar Fights Gray Maynard to a Draw

If there is one thing that lightweight champion Frankie Edgar has become known for, it's close fights. After defeating BJ Penn twice to validate his reign at 155 pounds, Edgar was matched up against the only man to defeat him, Gray Maynard.

In the fight's first five minutes, Maynard battered Edgar. Three knockdowns in the opening frame saw some score the round 10-7 for Maynard. However, Edgar would show the heart of the champion to recover and continue fighting. Ultimately, the fight would see the scorecards, but nothing was decided in the cage.

Similarly to the Penn-Uno fight, the fight was scored a split draw, only this time Edgar would retain his belt. A rematch between the two was delayed until UFC 136, and that fight largely mimicked the first through the first three rounds.

In the fight's fourth round, Edgar connected with an uppercut that dropped Maynard and followed with a flurry to finish the fight. Combined, the two fights may very well be the most evenly matched bouts in UFC history.