Before Chimaev and Strickland, let's remember the most intense rivalries in UFC history.

Sean Strickland e Khamzat Shimaev will face each other in UFC 328. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage.

Millions of MMA fans will have the opportunity to see the culmination of one of the great rivalries of today this Saturday (9). Khamzat Shimaev attempts to defend the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg) for the first time in the main event of UFC 328In the opponent's corner, he will have the figure of Sean Strickland, with whom he has trained in the past. Despite the short period of camaraderie, the two have attracted media attention due to their intense warlike atmosphere, to the point where the American has threatened to shoot at the opponent.

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Given this, SUPER LUTAS decided to revisit some of the most violent rivalries in UFC history. Check them out below and see where this weekend's duel fits among so many memorable chapters.

Check out the most intense rivalries in UFC history.

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor

K. Nurmagomedov (left) and C. McGregor faced each other at UFC 229. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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It's impossible to start this list without mentioning one of the most iconic fights of all time. Completely different in both their fighting style and way of life, Khabib Nurmagomedov e Conor McGregor They developed a rather fierce animosity, which led to moments like the infamous attack by the Irishman on a bus that the Russian and other athletes were using to get to a hotel during UFC 223 week.

The feud reached its peak at one of the biggest events in Ultimate history. The main event of UFC 229, which generated over 2,4 million pay-per-view sales for Dana White, pitted two of the most popular names of the time against each other, with the lightweight title (up to 70,3kg) on ​​the line. Despite the tense atmosphere, Khabib dominated his opponent and won by submission in the fourth round without much difficulty. However, this was just the beginning. The Eagle jumped the octagon fence and attacked his rival's corner, starting a general brawl. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

Nothing will top the post fight brawl after Khabib vs McGregor, watching it live still didn't feel real, even Dana refusing to give him his belt, UFC 229 will never be matched. https://t.co/zAhEmbn9R7 pic.twitter.com/NI3Sqo7ACI

— Overhand Right (@0verhandright) February 21, 2026

Jon Jones x Daniel Cormier

Cormier was defeated by Jones in January 2015. (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)

Without a doubt, the rivalry between Jon Jones e Daniel Cormier It brought out the best and worst in both of them. On the one hand, we had the opportunity to watch two of the greatest talents step into an octagon, dedicating themselves fully to surpassing each other and reaching the top of the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg). On the other hand, we also observed the animosity growing to a worrying level in several instances. Even before facing each other for the first time, the two came to blows during a face-off at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. On that occasion, Brazilian reporter Ana Hissa was almost hit by a shoe thrown by DC.

Unfortunately, the controversies weren't limited to outside the cage. In their first fight, in early 2015, Jones ended Cormier's undefeated streak with a unanimous decision victory. Sadly, he lost the title shortly after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a traffic accident involving a pregnant woman. The rematch took place more than two years later, with Bones once again excelling, this time with a head kick. However, post-fight doping tests identified the presence of Turinabol, an anabolic steroid. Therefore, the fight was declared a No Contest, and the light heavyweight title (up to 93 kg) returned to DC.

Colby Covington x Jorge Masvidal

Jorge masvidal (left) stares Colby covington (dir.). Photo: Reproduction / Twitter @ufc_ca

The feud between Jorge masvidal e Colby covington It was so big that it went beyond the limits of the octagon, in the worst possible way. For many years, the two were training partners and friends at American Top Team, but their relationship changed drastically with the creation of the Chaos persona by the former interim welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg). After exchanging provocations for years with various members of the academy, the wrestler ended up being expelled from ATT, and his relationship with names like Dustin poirier And Masvidal himself completely soured.

In this way, the two measured their strength in UFC 272In March 2022, with the exception of a brief knockdown, the duel was basically a monologue by Covington, who used his high level of grappling to win by unanimous decision. Despite the outcome, the two were far from making peace in the octagon. In fact, the enmity was only beginning. A few weeks later, Chaos He was attacked by Masvidal. At a restaurant in Miami, he ended up having one of his teeth broken during the attack. The "Street Jesus" was eventually arrested by the police.

Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw

C. Garbrandt (left) and T. Dillashaw (right) faced each other twice. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @tjdillashaw

Like Masvidal and Covington, TJ Dillashaw e cody garbrandt They trained together at Team Alpha Male before becoming rivals. Although they were never close friends, they maintained a relationship of respect and camaraderie, which ended when the TUF 14 finalist decided to leave the gym to train exclusively with coach Duane Ludwig and defend the bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg) against... Dominick Cruz, in early 2016.

At this point, the two experienced opposite situations in their respective careers. While Dillashaw lost the title to Cruz and had to regain the number one contender spot, Garbrandt climbed the rankings rapidly throughout the year to become champion against Dominick himself, in one of the greatest performances in the history of the sport.

The two former training partners were chosen as coaches for the 25th season of TUF, highlighting the animosity between them. They ended up facing each other in No Love's first title defense in November 2017, with TJ winning by knockout in the second round and yelling in his rival's face in celebration. Unexpectedly, the rematch took place just nine months later, but with the same result, this time in the first five minutes.