UFC Upsets

With all due respect with Randy Couture’s "arrival" against Vitor at UFC 15, my Top 10 UFC Upsets list does NOT have this fight on it. Before I begin though, I had more than 10, and I have to name my honorable mentions: Maynard-Edgar, Rivera-Grove, and Lambert-Babalu. "And here we go..."

10. Frankie Edgar-Tyson Griffin

A virtual unknown at the time, Edgar walked in there and stunned Couture’s next protégé. It was a fantastic fight!

Most memorable moment: Edgar desperately trying to escape/punch his way out of Griffin’s NASTY heel hook 30 seconds from the end of the fight. BRA-VO!

9. Forrest Griffin-Mauricio Rua

Shogun, who I just could not wait to see in the Octagon, who was considered the Top LHW in the world when PRIDE folded, could not have choked up a bigger loss. But what a fight and what a win for Forrest (who later went on to Upset No. 2 on my list)!

Most memorable moment: A gassed Shogun tapping from the RNC within seconds of the fight ending and watching Forrest joyously celebrating.

8.  Joe Lauzon-Jens Pulver

J-Lau, another unknown at the time, comes in and wrecks the beloved Pulver. Wow.

Most memorable moment: Pulver’s TUF Season Five interview where he’s talking about how he hopes Joe wins (against his fighter) so that he knows he didn’t get his @$$ kicked by a . Classic.

7. HoustonAlexander-Keith Jardine

This is one that I’m sure The Dean of Mean is still regretting. Complaining that he was facing inferior competition, Jardine went in there and promptly got KTFO inside of two minutes. Welcome to the UFC Houston Alexander (who I think has worn out that welcome since).

Most memorable moment: A pissed off Alexander standing over a dazed and downed Jardine.

6. Gabriel Gonzaga-Mirko Filipovic

A shocker; and pretty much the arrival of Gonzaga. Cro cop got one leg kick in, and that’s all Gonzaga needed to feel before taking it to the ground. He proceeded to pound Cro cop for four minutes, and then created a highlight-reel moment with that brutal head kick knockout.

Most memorable moment: Do I even need to mention it? My stomach still hurts from watching it...

5. B.J. Penn-Jens Pulver I

Yeah yeah, I know Jens was the champ at the time, but people, c’mon, we all expected him to get annihilated after the way B.J. was absolutely CRUSHING his opponents leading into this fight. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Jens made a deal with the devil that night. 'Nuff said.

Most memorable moment: B.J.’s frustration and watching the old school, Lil' Evil's hands fly.

4. Randy Couture-Chuck Liddell I

After Tito’s contract squabbles it was now time for Chuck to assume the mantle. But The Natural had other plans. TUF 1, the rematch, the coming of age of MMA in America, and the rest is history.

Most memorable moment: Couture beating Chuck at his own game: Stand Up!

3. Randy Couture-Tim Sylvia

Are you surprised that Captain America has made the list again? I hope I’m redeemed here from my opening paragraph. How about Joe's line about Randy making @$$e$ out of them (the announcers/fight predictions) for years?!

Most memorable moment: The crowd, the magic, the TAKEDOWNS.

2. Forrest Griffin-Quinton Jackson

Not a stellar fight IMO, but I have to say Forrest won two rounds, Rampage won one, and the other two were a push.

Most memorable moment: In the end, Forrest’s face was destroyed and Rampage’s limp. Again, nothing stellar here, just the second biggest upset on the list.

1. Matt Serra-Georges St-Pierre

Being a (former) LI boy myself and pulling for my fellow native and underdog, I have to put this at No. 1. Hell, who DOESN’T have this one at No. 1?! Serra pulled off the unthinkable. What were the Vegas odds???

And at that time GSP's only loss in the Octagon came at the hands of a Matt Hughes arm bar. Knockout. Two minutes. History.

Most memorable moment: never before seen footage of a dazed GSP slipping and sliding all over the Octagon before getting knocked out.

There you have it folks.