The 5 worst ever endings to UFC shows

#2 UFC 46 – Randy Couture vs Vitor Belfort

Randy Couture's rematch with Vitor Belfort was ruined by a freak injury

Another main event ruined by an eye injury, this one sits above Rodriguez vs. Stephens for the sole reason that it came in the headlining fight of a major pay-per-view, and to make things even worse the UFC Light-Heavyweight title was on the line and exchanged hands in easily the worst circumstances in promotional history.

Randy Couture was coming into UFC 46 as the new champion of the UFC’s then-marquee division, after dethroning longtime kingpin Tito Ortiz some months prior. Vitor Belfort meanwhile had returned to the UFC with a highlight-reel knockout of Marvin Eastman. The two men had history – Couture had handed Belfort his first career loss 7 years prior – and so a rematch made sense.

Unfortunately, everyone expecting a classic was left disappointed. Just seconds in, Couture attempted to bull his way into a clinch, and as he did so, Belfort threw a left-hand counter that appeared to miss. Belfort then forced him into the cage, but right away it was clear that something was wrong, as ‘The Natural’ was blinking in a strange manner.

Seconds later referee John McCarthy called time, and when Couture’s left eye was examined by the doctor, it became clear what’d happened; Vitor hadn’t poked him in the eye, instead, the stitching on his glove had caught Couture’s eyelid as the punch missed, slicing it wide open. It was quickly established that Couture was unable to continue – and as the cut had been caused by a legal blow, somehow, Belfort was declared the winner by TKO – and the new UFC Light-Heavyweight champion.

Things were put right 7 months later as the two rematched; this time Couture won with a third-round TKO to reclaim his title, but UFC 46 would forever go down as a show with an incredibly disappointing finish. Nobody wanted to see a show end like that – and even more so as a UFC title changed under such terrible circumstances.