5 passing the torch moments in UFC history

Each era in UFC history has its crop of elite level fighters. Every so often, the promotion pits a veteran against a young up-and-comer. These 'passing of the torch' moments are hugely memorable as they represent the end of an era and the dawn of another.

At UFC 271, Tai Tuivasa viciously knocked out Derrick Lewis in the co-main event. Lewis, the all-time leader in knockouts, collapsed to the canvas after a thunderous elbow from Tuivasa.

Tai Tuivasa and Derrick Lewis share a similar style of fighting. Both heavyweights are knockout artists and have also emerged as fan-favorites. Lewis, at 37, is likely on the last stretch of his career. Tuivasa, at 28, is yet to hit his prime. In the aftermath of their bout at UFC 271, it certainly felt like 'Bam Bam' is the second coming of 'The Black Beast'.

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With that in mind, we thought we'd look at the five most memorable 'passing of the torch' moments in UFC history.

#5. Ronaldo Souza vs. Andre Muniz - UFC 262

Andre Muniz is one of the most intriguing contenders in the UFC's middleweight division. Muniz secured a UFC contract following a submission victory on Dana White's Contender Series. He put together a four-fight win streak upon joining the promotion's middleweight division, three of which came by way of submission.

His fight against MMA veteran Ronaldo Souza was a real eye-opener. Souza was the resident submission specialist in the 185 lbs division at the time. 'Jacare' is an eight-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and has won numerous ADCC grappling tournaments. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion is one of the most widely respected grapplers in the game.

Many believed that if the fight hit the canvas, Souza would easily outgrapple the young up-and-comer. Muniz not only secured an armbar finish against the multitime Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, he also managed to break Souza's forearm.

Andre Muniz is expected to become a big player in the middleweight division in the coming years. Currently ranked No.13 at 185 lbs, he will be looking to break into the top 10, or even the top 5, by the end of 2022.

Muniz is undoubtedly the best grappler in the division, a mantle held by 'Jacare' Souza for many years. It'll be interesting to see how he fares when he squares off against the elite fighters in his weight class.

#4. Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira - UFC 256

Between 2013 and 2019, Tony Ferguson emerged as one of the most entertaining and dangerous fighters in the UFC lightweight division.

'El Cucuy' put together a scintillating 12-fight win streak and even won the interim title at the height of his powers. His unorthodox striking, coupled with his relentless pressure and sublime ground game, made him a fan-favorite. Unfortunately for Ferguson, he hit a slump in 2020 when he lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

He looked to bounce back and return to winning ways when he locked horns with Charles Oliveira later that year.

Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira [Image courtesy of @UFCEurope on Twitter]

Oliveira dominated Ferguson on the night. 'Do Bronx' cruised to a comfortable unanimous decision victory to break into the top 5 at 'El Cucuy's expense. Interestingly, there are a ton of similarities between the two fighters' style of fighting.

It's almost as if Oliveira is an upgraded version of Ferguson. The Brazilian's striking is slightly more polished and he's one of the best grapplers on the roster, just like the former interim champ. Since becoming the champion of the lightweight division in 2021, he has shown a toughness that is akin to a certain boogeyman we all know and love.

#3. Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2 - UFC 227

Demetrious Johnson became the UFC flyweight champion in 2012 and went on to defend his title 11 times. 'Mighty Mouse' remains one of the most dominant champions in MMA history and was largely untouchable during his time in the promotion.

One of those title defenses came against Henry Cejudo back in 2016. Johnson secured a first-round TKO victory on the night and Cejudo fell short just like every other contender at 125 lbs. Two years later, they squared off in a rematch at UFC 227.

Their rematch is one of the greatest title fights in the history of the flyweight division. Cejudo came away with a split-decision victory on the night to dethrone the long-reigning champion.

Interestingly, this was Johnson's last fight in the promotion. He was traded to ONE Championship while Cejudo took over the 125 lbs division. Since then, 'Triple C' has emerged as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. He went on to defend the title against TJ Dillashaw before opting to move up to bantamweight.

In 2019, Cejudo became a two-division champion following his sensational TKO victory over Marlon Moraes. He went on to defend his 135 lbs title against Dominick Cruz, arguably the greatest bantamweight of all time, and retired soon after.

Both Cejudo and Johnson are among the greatest fighters to have ever competed inside the octagon. Their second bout represented a seismic change in the flyweight division. Today, the weight class that was once rumored to be on the chopping block is blossoming like never before.

#2. Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva - UFC 234

UFC 234 was originally scheduled to be headlined by a middleweight championship bout between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately, Whittaker was forced to withdraw from the event after being hospitalized the night before.

The co-main event, which pitted rising star Israel Adesanya against MMA legend Anderson Silva, was subsequently bumped up to the main event. The two striking specialists put on a memorable fight that left fans in attendance in awe.

The fight was a treat to watch from start to finish as both fighters found themselves in a high-octane chess match. Adesanya came away with a unanimous decision victory on the night. Their bout won the 'Fight of the Night' honors as well.

Their showdown represented a lot more than a three-round middleweight clash. Upon joining the UFC in 2006, Silva went on an unprecedented 16-fight winning streak, comprising 14 finishes. His incredible run between 2006 and 2012 saw 'The Spider' cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

He came into his bout with Adesanya at the age of 43 and was clearly in the final stretch of his MMA career. Since their fight, 'The Last Stylebender' has dominated the middleweight division just like 'The Spider' once did. The Kiwi has already defended his belt four times and has emerged as one of the best fighters of the modern era.

Watch the highlights of the Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva fight below:

#1. Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Hughes 2 - UFC 65

The epic trilogy between Matt Hughes and Georges St-Pierre represented a lot more than just the rivalry between the two UFC welterweights.

Georges St-Pierre (left) and Matt Hughes (right)

Hughes, at the peak of his powers, was considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. He defeated Carlos Newton in 2001 to become the new champion at 170 lbs and subsequently defended his belt five times before losing to B.J. Penn. The American bounced back with a win over Renato Verissimo and earned a shot at the then-vacant title.

At UFC 50, Hughes took on Georges St-Pierre, a young fighter holding a record of 7-0. St-Pierre came in with a ton of hype and many believed the former champion would struggle against the young prospect. However, he silenced the doubters with a sensational armbar-submission to reclaim the title he lost to Penn.

The duo ran it back over two years later at UFC 65.

St-Pierre exacted his revenge in style, catching Hughes with a perfectly placed head-kick that saw the reigning champion crash to the canvas. After a few follow-up strikes on the ground, the referee called a halt to the fight and 'Rush' was crowned the new welterweight champion.

There was a lot more than a world title on the line going into their trilogy bout. The question as to who was the best welterweight of their era was still up for debate. St-Pierre's win over Hughes that night saw the dawn of a new age in the 170 lbs division.

St-Pierre went on to defeat Hughes once again in a trilogy bout. Today, he is considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time. He went on to defend his title 9 times before opting to vacate it in 2013.

His rematch with Hughes in 2006 saw one of the greatest welterweights of all time hand over the baton to a young Canadian star, who went on to become arguably the greatest to ever do it in the octagon.