5 of the most famous combinations in UFC history

#4. Donald Cerrone vs. Rick Story – UFC 202

Donald Cerrone finished Rick Story with a combination that appeared to have come from a video game

Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is renowned as one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, and that reputation is not without good reason. Not only does the veteran hold the record for the most wins in UFC history with 23, he’s also scored the second-most finishes with 16.

Cerrone has taken out opponents like Edson Barboza, Matt Brown and Jim Miller during his UFC career. His greatest finish undoubtedly came over Rick Story at UFC 202 in 2016.

Not only did ‘Cowboy’ finish ‘The Horror’ by knockout, he did it with the kind of combination that looked like it’d been lifted directly from a video game.

Story was already struggling with Cerrone’s sharp striking by the time the fight made it into the second round. ‘Cowboy’ appeared to be picking him apart with basically every shot he threw.

When ‘The Horror’ lunged in with a left hand, Cerrone unleashed hell. He countered with a left hand, followed that with a pinpoint right hand to the body and, before Story could respond, nailed him with a vicious right head kick.

‘The Horror’ was unsurprisingly hurt. He stumbled back, allowing Cerrone to unleash a wild flurry that sent him down and out.

Greatest combo of all-time?@CowboyCerrone #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/TByPYX0acv

— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2019

The combination was easily one of the best ever seen in the UFC. It immediately went viral after the event, with videos made comparing it to something from Mortal Kombat or Dragonball Z. Five years later, its excellence still holds up.

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#3. Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – UFC 110

Cain Velasquez used a vicious combination to turn out the lights of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is usually considered amongst the greatest big men in MMA history. In his prime, he ruled his division with an iron fist.

Most of Velasquez’s victims fell prey to his powerful wrestling and ground-and-pound. However, the product of the American Kickboxing Academy could strike with the best of them too.

He showed off that striking ability in his 2010 win over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the headliner of UFC 110.

Renowned for his iron chin and ability to absorb punishment, Nogueira was expected to give Velasquez his toughest test to that point. However, the Brazilian was simply blown away in the first round by a truly vicious combination.

Velasquez’s striking looked sharp from the word go in this fight. He peppered Nogueira with jabs and leg kicks while ‘Minotauro’ appeared to be struggling to keep up.

When Nogueira threw a left hand, Velasquez slipped it with expert timing. He then fired back with a brutal left-right-left combination that dropped the Brazilian to the ground.

‘Minotauro’ was realistically done there, but Velasquez followed up with another combination – bouncing the veteran’s head off the canvas – to seal the deal for good.

Feb20.2010Cain Velasquez earns an opportunity to fight for the UFC Heavyweight title,when he knocks out Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira pic.twitter.com/R7SMDplmtq

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 21, 2021

The win was a signal that not only was Velasquez ready to make a run at the UFC heavyweight title, but he also had arguably the most dangerous striking game in the division. Eight months later, he dethroned Brock Lesnar and claimed UFC gold.