The 5 best UFC pay per view cards in history

#1 UFC 189: Mendes vs McGregor - July 11, 2015

Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald stole the show in an all-time classic

The greatest UFC card of all time was a wild affair, highlighted by its main events pitting Conor McGregor versus Chad Mendes in an Interim Featherweight Championship bout and Welterweight Champion, Robbie Lawler versus Rory MacDonald. It's fair to say both of those bouts met all expectations and then some.

Lawler and MacDonald contested what could be the greatest MMA fight of all time. Lawler renowned for his devastating punching power soon found his range and began smashing MacDonald's face with ease. MacDonald's face soon resembled something out of a horror movie as blood poured out of it like a fountain.

It looked like the fight was a mere formality at that point, then somehow, MacDonald fired back in round three with a crushing head kick which knocked Lawler silly. MacDonald literally smelling blood as it began pouring from Lawler also, then unloaded with a series of vicious elbows and punches that nearly earned him the fight. Somehow Lawler survived.

The rest of the fight ebbed and flowed with stunning striking combinations as both men wore each other down before finally in the final round, Lawler punched MacDonald straight in the nose where an audible crunch could be heard as it broke. Finally, MacDonald was done and Lawler was victorious. It was a fight more closely resembling a massacre but was unforgettable for anyone who witnessed it. An absolute marvel of a contest.

In the main event, Mendes and McGregor had a lot to live up to. They also delivered. Mendes was a late replacement for Jose Aldo but was heavily favoured to win in many quarters due to his superior wrestling skills. The entrances were something to behold as Irish singing legend, Sinead O' Connor sang a haunting rendition of the traditional Irish song, "The Foggy Dew", to play McGregor to the ring which added to an already electric atmosphere.

The pair traded stiff shots immediately and Mendes unloaded with work on McGregor's elbow as he seemed to prepare for a guillotine. McGregor survived until round two. Mendes dominated the second as well, as he put down McGregor to the mat attempting to work a finish. The Irishman, backed by the heavy Irish contingent in the crowd willed himself free and smashed Mendes with a huge left hook that put him down. The fight was over and McGregor had banished any pre-match questions on his ability as a potential Champion of the division. McGregor-mania was running wild.

McGregor wins amid wild scenes at UFC 189

Further down the card and another Featherweight bout electrified the audience. Dennis Bermudez defeated Jeremy Stephens by knockout with an insane jumping knee that knocked Stephens into another stratosphere.

The action proceeding the brutal knockout was even more glorious, as the pair gushed blood, as they exchanged stiff combinations. A truly amazing match which was another match of the year contender on a card full of them.

Gunnar Nelson beat Brandon Thatch in something of an upset in double quick fashion as he brutally knocked Thatch down with a stunning combination before slapping on a choke to win. Hugely impressive performance from Nelson at just the right time for his career after a disappointing loss to Rick Story in his previous bout.

In the opener, Thomas Almeida bested Brad Pickett in a fantastic match-up which was yet another fight of the year contender. Almeida was dropped by Pickett early on and suffered another knockdown courtesy a flying knee. Somehow Almeida recovered to smash Pickett with a massive right hand. The pair finished the opening round trading bombs in an incredibly keenly fought contest.

The fight soon ended in the next round as Almeida dodged a flying knee attempt from Pickett and hit one of his own, as Pickett crashed to the mat, completely out of it. Another classic on what is unarguably the finest UFC and indeed MMA card of all time.