Jay Hieron's UFC run is perhaps best known for unprecedented bloodshed. | Terry Goodlad/Sherdog.com
1. Jonathan Goulet vs. Jay Hieron
UFC Fight Night 2 -- Oct 3, 2005
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas
An accomplished fighter outside of the Octagon, Hieron is winless in four UFC appearances, including notable losses to Georges St. Pierre, Jake Ellenberger and Tyron Woodley. However, it is his bout with Goulet, who went on to post a 4-5 record with the Las Vegas-based promotion, that left a lasting impression.
A knee to the head from Goulet early in round two changed the entire course of the bout. Less than a minute into the frame, Hieron began bleeding profusely, but he continued to score takedowns while Goulet attacked the wound from his back with punches and hammerfists.
“This might be one of the bloodiest fights I’ve ever seen,” UFC analyst Joe Rogan said. “These guys are coated in red ... Look how much blood is leaking out of [Hieron]. It’s like he’s an open faucet.”
As Hieron’s plasma drizzled all over Goulet, Rogan called for the contest to be halted. Both fighters were a slippery mess, but Hieron somehow made it to the end of the period.
“Critics and people who think that Ultimate Fighting is bloody and brutal -- this is fuel to the fire here. I’ve never seen a fight this bloody,” Rogan said.
Goulet left nothing to chance in the final stanza, attacking with a flying knee and re-opening Hieron’s cut. Mercifully, as a drained “Thoroughbred” wobbled back to his corner, the fight was stopped a little more than a minute into round three.
Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Stephens vs. Estevan Payan (UFC 160); Rory Singer vs. Josh Haynes (UFC “The Final Chapter”); B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez (UFC 107); Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle (UFC 86); Mark Kerr vs. Fabio Gurgel (World Vale Tudo Championship 3).