5 UFC moments from 2024 that were an early Christmas for the fans

The UFC witnessed various jaw-dropping moments and events in 2024. Some were absolute wars wherein both fighters, even the one on the losing side, saw their stock rise exponentially. Alternatively, there were also a few bittersweet moments that marked a sort of passing of the guard.

It's nigh impossible (and rather unfair to those not mentioned!) to compress every single spectacular moment/event of the year down into a single discussion. Nevertheless, today, we look at some of the most memorable ones that were akin to an early Christmas for fight fans.

Before we proceed, here's an honorable mention of the thrilling rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler from November, marked by WWE-esque slams toward the end. And now, without further delay, let's get right to it!

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#5 Alex Pereira's UFC 300 gesture, 'Poatan' shines in UFC 307 war with Khalil Rountree Jr.

Alex Pereira, an ex-Glory kickboxing middleweight and light heavyweight champion and ex-UFC middleweight champion, captured the UFC light heavyweight title with a second-round TKO over former 205-pound kingpin Jiri Prochazka in November 2023.

Pereira's first title defense came against former light heavyweight titlist, Jamahal Hill, on short notice at the tricentennial UFC 300 event in April 2024. 'Poatan' stopped the dangerous Hill via first-round KO and then pulled off social media influencer Khaby Lame's signature gesture. The knockout and his post-fight gesture went viral, boosting his superstardom and already-undeniable aura.

The Brazilian then stepped in on even shorter notice to save the UFC 303 card, which had lost Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, in June 2024. He scored a second-round TKO win over Jiri Prochazka in their rematch at the event. The finish over fierce rival Hill was sensational, the Prochazka rematch, admirable.

However, perhaps the most memorable event for Pereira's supporters and fight fans was his war against Muay Thai wizard Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October 2024. It featured both fighters' sheer grit and high-level striking. Some of Rountree's terrifyingly devastating strikes missed by inches, courtesy of Pereira's craftiness.

'Poatan' successfully defended his light heavyweight title, stopping an exhausted Rountree via fourth-round TKO in the blood-soaked war. Both fighters earned significant praise. Their showdown's gravitas was amplified by Pereira's and Rountree's respective inspirational stories of overcoming unthinkable hardships, inspiring others to persevere.

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#4 UFC 306 aka Riyadh Season Noche UFC: A unique combat sports event

The UFC 306 event in September 2024 was one of many firsts for the UFC. It witnessed the world's premier organization's business partnership with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season sports venture deepen, as Riyadh Season became the UFC's first official title sponsor. It was also the first time a major combat sports event was held at the world-renowned Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

The Sphere, as a venue, has been known to boast a unique wraparound LED screen -- believed to be the world's biggest-- a state-of-the-art audio system, and various other features.

Also, UFC CEO and president Dana White stayed true to his word. White ensured that the Mexican Independence Day theme and movie crafted for the night -- as well as the fights themselves -- were a love letter to Mexico, its people, and its rich combat heritage.

The event was headlined by Merab Dvalishvili outpointing 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley for the men's bantamweight belt. The co-headliner saw the legendary Valentina Shevchenko reclaim her women's flyweight belt by outpointing Alexa Grasso in their trilogy.

The event was marked by thrilling fights, multiple crazy moments in the headlining match featuring Dvalishvili, and a unique viewing experience courtesy of the Sphere.

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#3 Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: A bittersweet end to a bitter chapter

Dricus du Plessis stopped former two-time UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission to successfully defend his UFC middleweight title. Their clash, which headlined UFC 305 in Australia in August, was preceded by years of bitter animosity between the two fighters of African descent.

The South Africa-born and residing du Plessis and the Nigeria-born New Zealand-based Adesanya expressed their respect for one another after the grueling fight. They indicated they'd similarly try to hurt each other if they fight again.

The fight marked Adesanya's first-ever submission defeat as a professional MMA fighter and was only the second time he'd suffered a stoppage loss in the sport. The only other time he's been stopped was when Alex Pereira knocked him out in the first of their two-fight MMA feud.

Several fight fans appeared to deem it a bittersweet experience, as du Plessis had notched his first successful title defense and looked elated, but Adesanya's aura seemed majorly dented. Some labeled it a passing-of-the-torch moment, but 'The Last Stylebender' later underscored that he isn't done with fighting. Adesanya returns to the octagon in February 2025.

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#2 Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: A legendary knockout in a fight between legends

The long-awaited showdown between MMA legends Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic finally transpired in 2024. Jones successfully defended his UFC heavyweight championship with a dominant win over Miocic, thoroughly out-striking and out-grappling en route to a third-round TKO victory in the headlining match of UFC 309 in November.

Jones had faced considerable criticism before the fight for allegedly evading a clash against young heavyweight superstar and interim UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. While some of that criticism has persisted, 'Bones' putting on a display of MMA excellence against the legendary Miocic (albeit against a 42-year-old version of Miocic) served to silence many of his detractors.

Jones has been pursuing a fight against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, but has maintained that he'd also be open to a title unifier against Aspinall if he's rewarded lucratively. Irrespective of where one stands on the debate of Jones allegedly ducking Aspinall, one simply can't deny his all-time-great performance against Miocic -- forever etched in golden letters in MMA history.

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#1 Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje: A BMF KO at UFC 300

There have been just three BMF title fights and as many BMF champions thus far. The title has been held by the likes of highly accomplished MMA combatants like Jorge Masvidal, Justin Gaethje, and Max Holloway. The most recent BMF matchup witnessed Holloway dethrone Gaethje via fifth-round KO in the closing moments of their lightweight bout for the symbolic belt at the landmark UFC 300 event in April.

Former UFC featherweight champion Holloway and former interim UFC lightweight champion Gaethje are both beheld as fan favorites. Though Gaethje's fans wouldn't have gotten the desired result, he was lauded for putting up a valiant effort against a version of 'Blessed' who looked nearly invincible that night.

Holloway subsequently returned to featherweight to challenge UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, with many questioning whether the weight cut would deplete and compromise him. Unfortunately, the Hawaiian was stopped via third-round KO against Topuria in their clash in October.

Regardless, Holloway's buzzer-beating BMF title-winning KO, given his and Gaethje's respective histories and other elements associated with that fight, has been hailed by many as one of the greatest combat sports moments ever. The fight and finish truly served as early Christmas for martial arts enthusiasts worldwide.