UFC’s 10th Anniversary in NYC: History, Stats & Highlights

With the UFC’s annual stop at Madison Square Garden on the horizon, let’s look back at the history of the top MMA promotion in New York. The promotion’s next event, UFC 334, takes place on Saturday, November 14. Check out the UFC’s history in New York below with stats, top moments, and more.

UFC’s History in New York

Saturday’s UFC 334 event marks the UFC’s 13th visit to New York and the 10th at Madison Square Garden. You can see all the events, with each Main Event and date, below. 

Fighters with most bouts at MSG

Throughout the last decade, many fighters have graced the UFC Octagon in Madison Square Garden, but here are the athletes who have competed there most often. 

UFC Stats in New York

Before UFC 334, check out stats from the 12 events in New York over the last decade. 

Top Moments

Conor McGregor becomes first two-division UFC Champion

The most memorable moment for the UFC in New York came at the promotion’s debut in the city, at MSG. Irish superstar Conor McGregor, the sitting UFC Featherweight Champion at the time, moved up a weight class to challenge Eddie Alvarez. McGregor defeated Alvarez by second-round knockout, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in multiple divisions at the same time. 

Alex Pereira defeats long-time rival, Israel Adesanya to win first UFC title

In the Main Event of UFC 281 on November 12, 2022, current Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya defended the title against former kickboxing rival Alex Pereira. At the time, Pereira was on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC and had joined the promotion just one year earlier. Meanwhile, Adesanya was in the midst of an incredible title reign, racking up seven title wins and having held it for over three years. Adesanya also was on a 23-fight win streak at Middleweight entering this fight. After trailing in the contest, Pereira delivered an all-time comeback by scoring a knockout in the fifth round to win his first UFC title. 

Jorge Masvidal wins inaugural BMF title over Nate Diaz

The UFC introduced a new title that wasn’t about crowning the top fighter in a certain division as champion. Instead, it was meant to highlight and showcase different types of fighters who embody the three letters BMF. Well, at UFC 244 on November 2, 2019, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz faced off for the first BMF title. This was a perfect matchup, as both fighters fit this new championship. Masvidal won by TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) after the third round, as Diaz had a severe cut.