10 UFC Events That Changed The Game
5. UFC 202 - Set The Precedent For Non-Title Main Events
Before UFC 202, rarely had a non-title fight ever captured the imaginations of fans worldwide in quite the way that Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz did.
Sure, there'd been decent non-title main events in the past with the likes of Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Rashad Evans proving to be a decent draw at UFC 114, but that didn't even come close to producing the numbers that McGregor vs. Diaz 2 conjured up.
The epic first fight at UFC 196 managed to break a record that had been held for seven years by earning 1,317,000 buys and the follow-up went one better by luring in a mind-boggling 1,600,000 buys - which was frankly obscene for a card headlined by a non-title bout.
Even though the fascinating grudge match clearly hogged the spotlight, the card also boasted (McGregor's next foe) Donald Cerrone knocking off Rick Story and showcased the likes of Anthony Johnson, Colby Covington and Cody Garbrandt all earning victories. It's an event that is definitely worth taking another look at if you get the chance.
However, UFC 202 will forever be remembered as the night that two fighters proved that a rich history and epic rivalry didn't need a title to break all the records in the books.