5 of the best interim title fights in UFC history

#4 Randy Couture vs Chuck Liddell 1 at UFC 43

UFC 43: What happened when Randy Couture faced Chuck Liddell? https://t.co/13iUZRyJU7 pic.twitter.com/jyyIcF050A

— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) November 26, 2018

The first interim UFC title fight saw Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture battle it out in the main event of UFC 43.

Heading into the fight, Couture was on a two-fight losing streak. He lost his heavyweight title to Josh Barnett in 2002 and succumbed to another defeat against Ricco Rodriguez the same year.

On the other hand, Liddell was the overwhelming favorite at UFC 43. He enjoyed a four-fight win streak, including one over Vitor Belfort.

During the fight, Liddell found himself on the backfoot as he appeared clueless against Couture's excellent chain wrestling. Controlling the pace of the fight, 'The Natural' secured a crucial takedown in the third round and transitioned into a full mount position.

He threw a flurry of strikes that made Liddell defenseless. In the third minute, the referee pulled a stop to the contest, helping Couture snap his losing streak.

Couture and Liddell went on to fight twice more in the coming years, with the latter emerging victorious on both occasions.

17 years ago today, Randy Couture defeated Chuck Liddell via TKO to win the interim UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 43. #UFC pic.twitter.com/vAM8RsIS7U

— Jon Realejo (@BloodyCanvasJon) June 6, 2020

---

#3 Conor McGregor vs Chad Mendes at UFC 189

UFC 189: McGregor vs Mendes

Conor McGregor's win over Chad Mendes helped him attain superstar status in the UFC. The Irishman was expected to challenge Jose Aldo at UFC 189 but the Brazilian was forced to withdraw from the fight. And Chad Mendes stepped in to save the day.

McGregor clearly looked the better fighter on feet, which Mendes realized as he waded in to take the Irishman down. He controlled McGregor on the canvas for the majority of the first round but couldn't maintain his position in the second.

In the dying seconds of the second frame, McGregor stunned Mendes with a barrage of combinations that folded him to the canvas.

McGregor's win over Mendes potentially set up the UFC's biggest fight, which transpired at UFC 194 where 'The Notorious' took on Aldo. Taking the MMA world by storm, McGregor knocked out the Brazilian in 13 seconds of the first round.