6. Benson Henderson v Gilbert Melendez
Possibly the first proper champion v champion fight we’ve seen in high-level MMA, Gilbert Melendez made his UFC debut against lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Melendez was the Strikeforce champ when he signed for his new promotion and both men were given the full treatment in the buildup to this one.
The UFC likes to pretend that other promotions don’t exist, so it was a major surprise to see Melendez on the poster with his Strikeforce belt over his shoulder. Henderson would go onto win the fight by split decision back in San Jose in 2013.
