Top 10 brutal UFC fights of the past decade 

#3 Antonio Silva vs Mark Hunt

Alternative View - UFC Fight Night: Hunt v Bigfoot

This contest is often referred to as the greatest heavyweight fight of all time, and for good reason! Antonio Bigfoot Silva had Mark Hunt down in the first and even managed to do some damage to those famed tree-trunk-like legs of his. However, Hunt rallied and caught Silva with some brutal glancing elbows in the later rounds, slicing him open in the process.

There were times during the contest when Hunt fought like an aged Muhammed Ali, covering up against the fence, absorbing blows, and then striking back with heavy hooks in a bid to stem the flow of Bigfoot's increasingly barbaric assault. It truly was something special to see.

Unfortunately, the fight was tainted. It was originally declared a draw and Silva tested positive for steroids a few weeks later. Regardless of such matters, the brutality on display that night was unquestionable.

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#2 Cain Velasquez vs Antonio Silva

UFC Fight Night: Hunt v Bigfoot

Another of the most gruesome and barbaric matches of all time. There have been worse cuts and wounds, but in terms of the sheer volume of blood that poured from Antonio Silva's head following a short-ranged Velasquez elbow early on, this fight has no equal. Check out the video on Youtube for evidence (it's there in its entirety)... preferably on an empty stomach!

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#1 Cub Swanson vs Doo ho Choi

UFC 206: Swanson v Choi

If ever you wake up in the mood to watch two guys go back and forth for three rounds, with neither giving his opponent an inch of space for even a second during fifteen minutes of gladiatorial excellence, this is the fight for you. Cub Swanson vs Doo ho Choi picked up Fight of the Year honors in 2016, and a glance at the highlights on YouTube will explain just why it's so highly regarded.

Swanson came away with a very hard-fought decision-win after he knocked Choi to the ground during the final moments of the fight but before that, it was near impossible to call - both men landing punches, kicks, elbows, and spin attacks galore in search of the win.

These are the brutal fights that keep us coming back. These are the real warriors of sport. Roll on the next UFC main event!

How do you feel about our list? Have we forgotten something? Have your say in the comments section below: