5 UFC title rematches that couldn't live up to the original fight

Everyone knows that the UFC loves to book rematches, particularly where titles are concerned, and most of the time it makes sense. Who wouldn't book a rematch of a great fight?

Unfortunately, not all UFC title rematches turn out to be great, even if the original fight was a genuinely tremendous one.

For various reasons, there have been several UFC title rematches over the years that simply couldn't live up to the standards of the original fight, even if they weren't outright bad to watch.

On that note, here are five UFC title rematches that couldn't live up to their original fights.

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#5. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC 232

Unlike their first fight, Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson 2 was far from a classic.

The UFC light heavyweight division has produced several genuinely amazing title fights. Sitting at the top of the list as the greatest 205lbs title fight in UFC history, though, is probably the clash between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165.

At the time, nobody had really even tested Jones in the octagon. Bones' had held the UFC light heavyweight title for two and a half years by then. He had turned back the challenge of five contenders while barely breaking a sweat. Nobody really expected Gustafsson to change that.

Incredibly, though, 'The Mauler' pushed Jones harder than anyone had ever done before. He landed heavy, clean strikes throughout the fight, bloodying the champion, never letting him settle and even taking him down at one point.

By the fourth round it looked like the Swede was on his way to becoming the new champion. However, Jones came roaring back to win the final two stanzas to retain his title by the narrowest of margins.

So when the UFC booked a rematch between the two for the vacant UFC light-heavyweight title in late 2018, fireworks were expected. However, the second fight never really got out of first gear. Jones still looked as sharp as ever. However, several losses and injuries had caught up with Gustafsson, and he looked like a shadow of the man who had fought 'Bones' five years prior.

The fight ended up being as straightforward as you could imagine for Jones, who sealed the deal with a third-round TKO.

This rematch was never likely to be quite as good as the original but, unfortunately, it wasn't even close in the end.

#4. Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski – UFC 61

Tim Sylvia's third fight with Andrei Arlovski was a massive letdown.

In the summer of 2006, it genuinely seemed like a no-brainer for the UFC to book a trilogy bout between heavyweight stars Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski in the main event of UFC 61.

Not only were the two men clearly the best fighters in their division, but they had also split a pair of previous title fights. More to the point, both of those clashes had been wildly exciting.

The first had seen Arlovski quickly knock Sylvia down before submitting him with an Achilles lock. The second, meanwhile, saw 'The Pitbull' drop his opponent again – only for Sylvia to somehow will his way back to his feet before turning the tables moments later, knocking Arlovski out to take his title.

Nobody expected their third bout to be anything but another wild slugfest. However, the eventual fight we got couldn't have been much further from that. After two crazy fights, it was clear that not only did both men respect one another, they probably feared the other man's punching power too. That meant both Sylvia and Arlovski fought in a safety-first way, clearly wary of suffering another knockout.

Unfortunately, UFC fans were treated to a slow bout that featured more circling, staring and feinting than the wild exchanges that the two heavyweights had treated them to before.

Sylvia ended up winning a decision after five tepid rounds, but the fight was so bad that his reputation was soiled for good with UFC fans. Arlovski's reputation recovered, but the fight is still remembered as one of the worst title bouts in UFC history.

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#3. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen – UFC 148

Anderson Silva's second fight with Chael Sonnen couldn't live up to their epic first clash.

2010 treated UFC fans to several titanic battles. However, the fight at the top of the list for most fans that year was the UFC middleweight title bout between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen had talked an immense amount of trash on the longtime champion leading up to the fight. However, to the shock of everyone, when it came down to it, he fully backed up his words.

'The American Gangster' beat Silva down for five straight rounds. He looked set to become the new champion until 'The Spider' somehow pulled out a last-gasp triangle choke with just minutes to go in the final round, forcing Sonnen to tap out.

Sonnen would then test positive for banned substances, putting an end to any talk of an immediate rematch. However, when he returned a year later and won a couple of fights, the UFC wasted no time in booking a second fight between him and Silva.

The hype for the fight – which headlined UFC 148 – was absolutely off the charts, with Dana White even proclaiming it the biggest clash in UFC history. However, it simply couldn't live up to that level of hype, and never came close to matching the sheer insanity of their first meeting.

Sonnen did win the first round, but never beat Silva down as he had in the first fight. In the second round, he attempted an ill-advised spinning backfist that missed. As he slipped to the ground, Silva took advantage and unloaded a series of vicious strikes. Moments later, the fight was over.

This one wasn't a bad fight by any means; in fact, it was fun to watch. However, it didn't come close to matching the original fight, and that meant it came off as a disappointment.

#2. Randy Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo – UFC 34

Randy Couture's first fight with Pedro Rizzo was a classic, but their rematch was forgettable.

Former UFC announcer Mike Goldberg would often tell viewers that his favorite UFC title fight took place at UFC 31. That saw Randy Couture battle Pedro Rizzo for the UFC heavyweight title.

The bout was a titanic struggle that saw both men show exactly why they were the two most feared men in the division at the time. Couture landed heavy takedowns, grinded Rizzo down in the clinch, and beat him up on the ground.

In turn, 'The Rock' landed brutal leg kicks to the champion, crippling his lower body, and even came close to knocking him out with a head kick at one point.

The momentum of the fight swung back and forth on multiple occasions. While Couture was awarded a decision and retained his title, just as many fans felt that Rizzo deserved the victory instead.

The UFC understandably booked an immediate rematch just six months later at UFC 34. They hoped to both end the rivalry and also replicate one of the best title fights in the promotion's history. Unfortunately, they only managed one of those things.

Couture came into the bout looking as good as ever, but for reasons largely unknown, Rizzo looked flat and gunshy. He never really let his strikes go, and unable to stop Couture's takedowns, he succumbed to a third=round TKO after suffering a beatdown.

The fight was a great win for Couture, but after the greatness of their first meeting, it was hard not to be disappointed. In particular, Rizzo's showing was so bad that he never got close to another shot at a UFC title in his career.

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#1. Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson – UFC 209

Tyron Woodley's first fight with Stephen Thompson was great, but their rematch was awful.

While the most memorable moment at the UFC's first-ever show in New York – UFC 205 – saw Conor McGregor knock out Eddie Alvarez to claim the UFC lightweight title, just as many fans were talking about another fight after the event.

That fight was the UFC welterweight title clash between champion Tyron Woodley and challenger Stephen Thompson. The fight was a dramatic, technical clash that saw 'Wonderboy' pick Woodley apart in the second, third and fifth rounds, only to lose the other two badly. The fourth round went so badly for him, in fact, that Woodley came close to knocking him out on two occasions.

When the fight ended, it was unclear who would get the nod. When the judges called it a draw, though, it was clear that a rematch was needed – and the UFC swiftly obliged.

They booked the second clash to headline UFC 209 just four months later, and most fans figured one of two things would happen. Either Thompson would avoid Woodley's barrages and continue to pick him apart, becoming the new champion – or 'The Chosen One' would finally finish off his elusive rival.

Unfortunately, neither outcome turned out to be correct. Instead, both men were too wary of the other, and UFC fans were treated to a starring contest for five rounds.

The only thing to separate the two was a late flurry from Woodley that knocked Thompson down and had him on the verge of being finished. However, even that was more frustrating than anything else. Why hadn't Woodley attacked like that sooner?

In the end 'The Chosen One' came away with his UFC welterweight title intact, but his reputation with the fans was tarnished, and never truly recovered.