5 best rivalries in UFC middleweight history

#2. Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping - UFC Fight Night 55 & UFC 199

The series between Rockhold and Bisping finished at 1-1

Few UFC rivalries have seen such pure dislike than what we saw between Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping. The duo could not stand one another, which made watching them a must-see event. On top of that, their story concluded in a shocking upset that made their beef all the more memorable.

The first fight between Rockhold and Bisping was a much more low-key affair than the second. While the bad blood was apparent, the fight saw the favorite Rockhold secure a somewhat comfortable second-round submission win. The rematch, however, was a much grander affair.

Rockhold was now the middleweight champion, and Bisping stepped in as a short-notice replacement to challenge for the belt. With the Brit a substantial underdog, he pulled off an upset and knocked out Rockhold to stunningly win the middleweight title.

This was one of the purest rivalries in UFC history, and with such a remarkable pay-off, you might even argue it could challenge for the top spot on this list.

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#1. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen - UFC 117 & 148

Silva led the series between Sonnen and himself 2-0

Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen had arguably the defining rivalry in the sport. Until then, Silva had appeared untouchable, and Sonnen was viewed mainly as a loudmouth with little chance of victory. The first bout between the pair produced the fight of the year back in 2010.

Surprisingly, Sonnen dominated the bout and appeared to be on the verge of a historic victory before getting caught in a triangle in the final round. While Silva got the win via submission, the fight made a star out of Sonnen. The rematch between the pair suddenly became a highly-anticipated bout.

While the second fight was not quite the spectacle the first one was, the build-up was highly entertaining, with Sonnen showcasing his incredible promo skills. Ultimately, Silva got the win once again, this time via second-round TKO.

This rivalry tops the list as it significantly boosted the popularity of the UFC. It also turned Silva into the biggest star in the sport and cemented Sonnen as must-see television.