5 best trilogies in UFC history

#4. Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos - UFC heavyweight division

Cain Velasquez (left) and Junior dos Santos (right)

Cain Velasquez joined the UFC in 2008 with a professional record of just 2-0. He improved his record to 8-0 and earned a shot at the title with wins over the likes of Cheik Kongo, Ben Rothwell and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The California native took on Brock Lesnar for the heavyweight belt at UFC 121 and secured a first-round TKO finish to become the new champion.

Velasquez looked set to make his first title defense against rising Brazilian contender Junior dos Santos. Dos Santos boasted a professional record of 13-1 at the time and had developed a reputation for being a talented striker.

Many believed the Brazilian would struggle against the wrestling pedigree and relentless pressure of Velasquez. He came into the bout as the betting underdog. In one of the biggest upsets in the history of the heavyweight division, dos Santos knocked the champion out a little over a minute into the fight.

Velasquez and dos Santos squared off in a rematch at UFC 155 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dos Santos, the champion, was coming off a successful title defense against Frank Mir while Velasquez earned a shot at the title following a first-round TKO victory over Antonio Silva.

In the rematch, Velasquez produced one of the best performances of his career. He maintained an unbelievable amount of pressure on dos Santos, repeatedly taking the Brazilian down to the canvas. The champion was noticeably fatigued after the first two rounds and did well to survive the next three. The challenger earned a unanimous decision victory to reclaim his belt.

The duo locked horns in a trilogy bout at UFC 166, where the reigning champion delivered yet another trademark ‘Cardio-Cain’ performance. Velasquez outworked dos Santos for four-and-a-half rounds before finding the TKO finish three minutes into the final round.

Their trilogy remains one of the most iconic in the history of the heavyweight division.

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#3. Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier - UFC heavyweight division

Stipe Miocic (left) and Daniel Cormier (right)

The most recent trilogy in the heavyweight division was one of the most memorable in MMA history.

Stipe Miocic won the heavyweight title in 2016 with a win over Fabricio Werdum. The Cleveland native dominated the division for over two years, defending his belt against a murderers' row of challengers. He defeated Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou to solidify his status as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

Miocic's next opponent would be the then-light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. 'DC' was looking to become a two-division champion. The duo squared off at UFC 226 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Cormier shocked the world.

Daniel Cormier knocked Miocic out in the very first round of their fight, sending the crowd in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena into a frenzy.

'DC' subsequently defended his title against Derrick Lewis. In his second title defense, the former Olympian took on Stipe Miocic in a rematch.

The sequel went down at UFC 241 in Anaheim, California. Cormier dominated the first three rounds, picking apart Stipe Miocic with some slick boxing. With three rounds in the bag, 'DC' was primed to come away with the victory.

However, Miocic made a huge adjustment in the fourth round. The former champion started landing powerful hooks to Cormier's body, which were clearly having a significant impact. 11 body shots later, the reigning champion crumbled to the canvas and Miocic became a two-time heavyweight champion.

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier locked horns for the third time at UFC 252 in 2020. The duo slugged it out for five rounds with Miocic eventually emerging victorious. Cormier would retire following the loss.