1. Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell
It was a bout that, for a long time, was only "wishful thinking."
However, after the PRIDE organization folded, a flood of talent was brought into the UFC, and one of the most prized possessions of the defunct promotion was none other than Wanderlei Silva.
"The Axe Murderer" has flirted with the idea of fighting fellow striker Chuck Liddell for a long time, though the stars aligned and the two finally met at UFC 79 in a blockbuster, light heavyweight showdown.
The fight did not fail to live up to its expectations, as the two went toe to toe for three rounds, both tagging each other back and forth, though Liddell eventually walked away the winner by decision due to his tied in takedowns throughout.
Liddell may have recorded the win, however both men took away moral victories, cementing their legacies as fan favorites who never fail to deliver.
Both earned the evenings "Fight of the Night" award for their efforts, and the bout was later recognized as the "Fight of the Year" at the World MMA Awards in 2008, hosted by
Fighters Only Magazine.