Ranking every Canadian UFC card ahead of UFC 289
By Adam Stocker
12: UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2 - May 8, 2010, Montreal, Quebec
UFC 113 was a very good card. Mauricio Rua knocked out Lyoto Machida in the first round to win the light heavyweight title. In the co-main event, Josh Koscheck beat Paul Daley in a title eliminator to earn a title fight against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 124. Other notably victors were Johny Hendricks and Jeremy Stephens. While Kimbo Slice was knocked out by Matt Mitrione in what would be his final fight in the UFC. Canadians did not fare well at UFC 113, going 1-6.
11. UFC 215: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2 - Sept. 9, 2017, Edmonton, Alberta
The card was supposed to be headlined by Demetrious Johnson and Ray Borg. However, that fight was canceled the day before the event. In the main event, Amanda Nunes squeaked out a split decision over Valentina Shevchenko. However, the rest of the card good but not great. Performance bonuses were earned by Henry Cejudo and Rafael dos Anjos. Canadians went 3-2 at the event.
10. UFC 158: St-Pierre vs. Diaz - March 16, 2013, Montreal, Quebec
UFC 158 turned out to be the last time that Georges St-Pierre fought in Canada. Much to the Diaz brothers disagreement, St-Pierre won all five rounds to retain his welterweight title. In the co-main, Johny Hendricks defeated Carlos Condit in the fight of the night. While Jake Ellenberger knocked out Nate Marquardt. In the second fight of the night, T.J. Dillashaw scored a knockout. The rest of the card was good but far from great. Canadians went 5-1 on the card.
9. UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort - Sept. 22, 2012, Toronto, Ontario
UFC 152 saw Jon Jones submit Vitor Belfort to retain his light heavyweight in the main event. In the co-main, Demetrious Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez to win the inaugural flyweight title. Michael Bisping defeated Brian Stann in the third fight from the top. While the main card opened with Cub Swanson knocking out Charles Oliveira. Canadians went 3-1 on the card.
8. UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida - Dec. 10, 2011, Toronto, Ontario
UFC 140 was a fight card that delivered. Nine of the 12 fights ended in a knockout or submission. In the main event, Jon Jones submitted Lyoto Machida. The rest of the card was filled with star power. In the co-main Frank Mir submitted Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. In the third fight from the top, Antonio Rogério Nogueira knocked out Tito Ortiz. In the opening fight of the main card, Chan-sung Jung knocked out Mark Hominick in seven seconds. Canadians went 2-5 on the card.
7. UFC Calgary: July 28, 2018, Calgary, Alberta
The UFC has been trying to make it up to the city of Calgary ever since the disastrous UFC 149. The UFC over delivered in their return to the city for the first time since UFC 149. UFC Calgary should be in the conversation for best Fight Night card in UFC history. In the main event Dustin Poirier knocked out Eddie Alvarez earning a performance bonus. In the co-main Jose Aldo knocked out Jeremy Stephens to earn the other performance bonus. While in the third fight from the top, Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeated Tecia Torres. Additionally, current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev fought on the preliminary card. Canadian John Makdessi earned fight of the night after defeating Ross Pearson. However, the other six Canadians on the card combined to go 2-4.