The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has seen countless battles that have tested the limits of human endurance and toughness.
Some of these encounters went far beyond tactical skill — they became gritty, blood-soaked wars that defined the raw brutality and resilience of mixed martial arts.
Here’s a look back at the 10 bloodiest UFC fights of all time, ranked from intense to absolutely unforgettable.
10. Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Stephan Bonnar – UFC 110 (2010)
In February 2010, Stephan Bonnar and Krzysztof Soszynski stepped into the Octagon for what quickly turned into a gruesome spectacle.
An accidental headbutt opened a severe cut on Bonnar’s forehead, leaving his face drenched in blood. Despite his
determination to continue, the fight was halted in the third round due to the extent of the injury, giving Soszynski a TKO victory.
Their eventual rematch later saw Bonnar earn redemption with a decisive win.
9. Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon – UFC 155 (2012)
When Jim Miller met Joe Lauzon in December 2012, fans expected fireworks — and got a full-blown war.
Early in the fight, Miller landed a sharp elbow that sliced Lauzon open, turning the Octagon into a blood-streaked battlefield.
Despite Lauzon’s relentless grit, the bleeding never ceased, yet he fought on until the final bell.
The bout earned Fight of the Night honors, with Miller securing a unanimous decision victory.
8. Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva – UFC 146 (2012)
This heavyweight showdown in May 2012 was one of the most brutally one-sided fights in UFC history.
Cain Velasquez immediately took Antonio Silva down and unleashed a barrage of elbows and punches that tore a massive cut across Silva’s forehead.
The amount of blood was shocking — by the time the referee stopped the fight, the canvas was crimson red.
Velasquez walked away with a first-round TKO and one of the most iconic images in UFC history.
7. B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson – UFC 80 (2008)
In January 2008, B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson battled for the lightweight title in a fight that became an instant classic.
Penn’s sharp elbows opened a deep gash on Stevenson’s forehead, causing rivers of blood to pour down his face.
Unfazed, Penn continued his assault before locking in a rear-naked choke, forcing Stevenson to submit.
The image of a blood-soaked Stevenson kneeling beneath Penn remains etched in UFC lore.
6. Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. David Heath – UFC 74 (2007)
The light heavyweight clash between Renato Sobral and David Heath in August 2007 was raw and relentless.
Sobral dominated the action, inflicting a deep cut on Heath’s forehead before locking in an anaconda choke in the second round.
As Heath’s blood streamed across the mat, Sobral’s unyielding intensity drew both awe and criticism — making it one of the most controversial and bloody fights in UFC history.
5. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II – UFC 189 (2015)
Few fights capture the heart and horror of combat sports like the rematch between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald in July 2015.
Both fighters inflicted devastating damage — Lawler’s lip was split open, and MacDonald’s nose was shattered.
Despite the carnage, neither man quit until the fifth round, when MacDonald could no longer continue.
Lawler earned a TKO victory, and the fight is widely considered one of the greatest — and bloodiest — UFC battles ever fought.
4. Stefan Struve vs. Denis Stojnić – UFC 99 (2009)
In June 2009, towering heavyweight Stefan Struve faced Denis Stojnić in a chaotic encounter that soon descended into a bloody mess.
Using his reach advantage, Struve landed crisp combinations that opened several cuts on Stojnić’s face.
By the second round, both men were covered in blood before Struve finally sealed the victory with a rear-naked choke submission.
The fight was a reminder that in the heavyweight division, power and pain often go hand in hand.
3. Mark Hunt vs. Antonio Silva – UFC Fight Night 33 (2013)
December 2013 saw Mark Hunt and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva collide in a five-round war of attrition that pushed both men to the brink.
The pair exchanged devastating strikes, resulting in multiple deep cuts and heavy bleeding from both sides.
Neither man could secure a finish, and the fight ended in a majority draw — a fitting outcome for such a grueling and blood-soaked classic.
It remains one of the most iconic heavyweight fights ever witnessed in the UFC.
2. Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier II – UFC on Fox 30 (2018)
When Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier met for their rematch in July 2018, fans were treated to pure, violent brilliance.
The fight was a striking clinic filled with elbows, knees, and uppercuts — until Poirier landed a series of brutal shots that opened a massive cut on Alvarez’s face.
With blood pouring freely, the referee stepped in, giving Poirier a second-round TKO win.
The fight further solidified Poirier’s reputation as one of the sport’s most dangerous finishers.
1. Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal – UFC 244 (2019)
Taking the number one spot is the BMF title fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal in November 2019.
Masvidal dominated early, using precise strikes to open deep cuts above Diaz’s right eye, leaving his face drenched in blood.
Before the fourth round could begin, the ringside doctor halted the fight, ruling the cuts too severe for Diaz to continue — awarding Masvidal a TKO victory.
The stoppage was met with heavy controversy, as fans believed Diaz still had plenty of fight left in him.
Nevertheless, the bout stands as one of the most unforgettable and blood-drenched showdowns in UFC history.
FAQ
Which UFC Fight Had The Most Blood Loss?
Fights like Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva and B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson are infamous for the sheer volume of blood spilled.
Has Anyone Ever Passed Out From Blood Loss In The UFC?
While no fighter has officially passed out due to blood loss, several bouts have been stopped to prevent serious medical risk.
Why Are UFC Fights Sometimes Stopped Because Of Cuts?
Fights are halted if a cut obstructs vision, poses a severe medical threat, or prevents a fighter from defending themselves safely.
What Was The Bloodiest Women’s UFC Fight?
Many fans point to Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Weili Zhang as some of the bloodiest women’s bouts in UFC history.