Southpaws Add Flavor to UFC History
Adjusting to life in the UFC is difficult because it requires adapting to many different situations. One of the potential curveballs that fighters can face is having to face off against a left-handed fighter. While right-handed fighters can learn a southpaw stance, it is always deadly for fighters who came by it naturally to utilize that skill set.
Some of the fighters who dominated the sport’s landscape, both in personality and the octagon, were able to utilize their southpaw style to their advantage. What has made these fighters interesting is the way they were able to utilize multiple disciplines to become champions. Here’s a look at a few of the best southpaw fighters in UFC history.
Silva Was Truly One-of-a-Kind
Anderson Silva helped usher in the modern UFC with a dominant title run that stretched from 2006 to 2012. Silva, who won 16 straight fights during that time period, would defend his middleweight crown 10 times during this run. What made “The Spider” such a difficult test for opponents was his 77.5-inch reach.
When considering Silva had trained in taekwondo, capoeira, and muay thai, there were a lot of creative ways for him to finish fights. Silva finished 23 of his 34 career victories by knockout and also picked up three submissions on the way. Things soured for Silva after a pair of fights with Chris Weidman.
During the first bout, Silva dropped his hands and tried to clown Weidman, who took advantage by connecting with several punches that meant he was able to knock out Silva to win the middleweight title at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013. In the rematch, Weidman checked a Silva leg kick, which resulted in Silva’s leg breaking. Silva would fight six more times in the UFC, resulting in one win, five losses and a no contest for Silva, who wrapped up his career with a 34-11 record.
Mystic Mac Carried Power in His Left Hand
Conor McGregor’s peak may feel further and further in the rear-view mirror as time goes by, but at his peak, few moved the needle like the Notorious One. McGregor’s boxing, and the power in his left hand, allowed the Irishman to pick up 19 knockout victories during his career. Perhaps the most memorable one where he hit Aldo 13 seconds into the fight to score a knockout that handed him the UFC Featherweight Championship in December 2015.
That knockout still leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Aldo. But McGregor’s creative striking would allow him to become the first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history after he knocked out Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight crown in 2016. However, McGregor pursued the money instead of UFC history.
McGregor never defended either of his UFC belts. He would instead take a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, which he lost in the 10th round by knockout.
Lawler Never Failed to Take a Challenge
Robbie Lawler is a rarity in the UFC. If Lawler is true to his word and never fights again, he was able to close out his career with a knockout victory over Niko Price at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023. Lawler winning by KO seems an appropriate end for him. He won 22 of his 30 career victories by flooring his opponents.
Lawler’s ability to fight left-handed put a lot of pressure on his opponents. Lawler was able to parlay his abilities into two title runs in two different major promotions. He won the UFC Welterweight crown and defended it twice and won the EliteXC Middleweight Championship and defended it once.
Poirier Has Been a Consistent Winner
There may be an alternate universe where, without Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier could be a long-time champion. However, the UFC southpaw lightweight contender has always seemed to be one step away from superstardom. Poirier, who is 29-7 in his career, captured his only UFC gold when he beat Max Holloway to win the interim lightweight championship at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019.
Poirier was then sent to Abu Dhabi to try and unify the title against Khabib. That didn’t go his way, as Poirier ended up being submitted in the third round. Losing didn’t discourage Poirier, who avenged an earlier loss to McGregor by scoring two straight knockouts against the former Irish champion.
Poirier’s second shot at a unified championship also ended in disappointment. He rocked Charles Oliviera early in the fight but would end up getting submitted in the third round. Poirier bounced back with an impressive submission over Michael Chandler and hopes to get one more shot at a title.
Lyoto Machida Had an Exciting UFC Run
Machida ripped off six straight wins after coming into the UFC before earning a light heavyweight championship fight against Rashad Evans at UFC 98 on May 23, 2009. Machida didn’t miss out on his opportunity. Improving his record to 15-0 at the time, he knocked out Evans in the second round to win the gold.
Machida would defend the championship once, against Maurício Rua, before losing to Rua by knockout to lose the title. Things were never the same for Rua after that. After starting his career 16-0, Machida would finish with a 26-12 record.
Machida would earn several more title shots later in his career. He would lose to Jon Jones by submission at light heavyweight. Much later, Machida would get a chance to fight for the middleweight championship but would end up losing to Chris Weidman.
Holm Left Mark on UFC History
Holly Holm forever sent the UFC women’s Bantamweight title picture in a different direction. The left-handed boxer made a transition to MMA around 2011 and won her first seven fights before joining the UFC. After two decision victories, Holm would challenge the then-thought unbeatable Ronda Rousey in a title fight at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015.
Holm has largely struggled in the UFC since the upset win but will forever go down in UFC history as the woman who took down Rousey.
