As 2024 draws to a close and we approach the dawn of 2025, it’s the perfect time to look back on the year’s most unforgettable moments. The UFC, once again, provided MMA fans with a year full of excitement, drama, and surprises. The last 12 months were no different from previous years, delivering not just high-energy fights, but also unforgettable moments that went beyond the Octagon. Intense rivalries and bizarre incidents packed the year with emotions, setting the stage for blockbuster bouts.

One standout moment came at the historic UFC 300, where lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan made headlines after defeating Charles Oliveira. During the post-fight celebrations, a fan made a provocative comment, sparking a chaotic brawl that caught the attention of the commission and led to the Armenian sensation’s brief suspension. But that was just one of many bizarre incidents that marked this unforgettable year. As we bid farewell to 2024, let’s dive into the Top 5 Bizarre UFC Moments that had fans talking and kept us on the edge of our seats.

1. Merab Dvalishvili kisses Sean O’Malley in the middle of their fight

This one is fun! It came straight from the headlines of UFC 306, the most expensive UFC event “on record“, UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche, held in Sin City’s $2.3 billion structure back in September. In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili left no stone unturned in his pursuit to dethrone Sean O’Malley and take the 135lbs gold.

‘The Machine’ even took some routes that were both hilarious and, at times, inappropriate. In the closing moments of the second round, the Georgian got O’Malley’s back and was working a takedown against the cage. But then, something unexpected happened—Dvalishvili kissed O’Malley on the neck several times before losing his grip on the former champion.

As referee Herb Dean intervened, O’Malley managed to land a few shots at Merab Dvalishvili’s head. In the post-fight press conference, the reigning champion addressed the kissing incident, claiming he just “wanted to make a little fun of him” and that his purpose was to “show them that I am dominating.” While critics may have labeled the fight as “lackluster,” it was packed with verbal jabs, disrespect, and intense back-and-forth between both teams and coaches, bringing an entirely new level of drama to the bout.

2. Igor Severino bites his opponent, gets suspended

Imagine having the chance to make your mark on the world’s biggest MMA stage, only to squander it with one reckless decision. That’s exactly what happened to Brazilian prospect Igor Severino, who made his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 89 in March, facing Andre Lima. Both fighters knew they had to seize the opportunity.

However, in the heat of battle during the second round, Severino shocked everyone by biting his opponent on the arm. The UFC wasted no time in disqualifying him, making the Brazilian the first fighter in UFC history to be banned for biting an opponent. The act sparked widespread condemnation from the MMA community, with Severino admitting afterward, “There was nothing that could justify me biting.”

While some argued that the UFC and Dana White were too harsh in cutting the 20-year-old Brazilian from the promotion, the outcome worked in Lima’s favor. The disqualification not only secured him a permanent spot in the UFC but also earned him a $50,000 Fight Night bonus. Severino is slated to make his return at Oktagon 65 and has embraced a persona similar to “Hannibal Lector” and even donning a mask similar to the iconic pop culture phenom.

3. Jiri Prochazka accuses Alex Pereira of black magic

The much-anticipated fight materialized after the highly publicized bout between UFC megastars Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler fell through. To fill the void, the promotion enlisted Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira for a rematch, with both 205-pound fighters agreeing to step in on short notice for the headline event at UFC 303.

However, Jiri Prochazka shocked the MMA world when he accused the reigning light heavyweight champion of using spiritual shamanic forces. He suggested that this was the reason for his first loss to Pereira at UFC 295 the previous year, hinting that the magic played a role. The Czech samurai claimed, “Everybody knows he is working with Shamans, yeah? From his hometown, and he believes in some spiritual help from them.” Despite the bold accusation, ‘Poatan’ did not deny the use of dark forces. The claim was further echoed by some of Pereira’s former rivals, including Israel Adesanya, adding fuel to the controversy.

4. Arman Tsarukyan makes lewd comments on Kayla Harrison

Another incident involving Arman Tsarukyan sparked controversy, but this time it wasn’t lighthearted or humorous—it was downright “disrespectful”. The situation unfolded when Tsarukyan, along with Kayla Harrison and other fighters from the UFC 300 fight card, took part in a Q&A session in Miami on March 8, in honor of International Women’s Day.

During the session, a fan from the audience asked Arman Tsarukyan, in Armenian, “That girl sitting next to you (referring to Kayla), how many times would you give her your d**k, bro? Be honest.” After a pause, Tsarukyan hesitantly responded, “A couple,” which elicited laughter from his fans. Initially, the bantamweight didn’t fully grasp what was happening.

Weeks later, Harrison addressed the issue during an appearance on MMA Hour, expressing her disappointment. She said, “I mean, I look like an idiot—I’m up on the stage laughing. Then the next day I’m tagged in all these Russian outlets with the translation of what he asked. It’s disheartening, it’s disrespectful.” This situation highlights that, despite the fan’s inappropriate question, the Armenian native failed to handle the matter with maturity.

5. Muhammad Mokaev pulls down Manel Kape’s pants

Muhammad Mokaev unquestionably topped the list of the most controversial fighters of 2024. The undefeated flyweight, known for attempting to craft a “heel” persona similar to Colby Covington, dominated headlines throughout the year for all the wrong reasons. His scheduled fight on the UFC 304 Manchester card was just the beginning, but it wasn’t the fight that kept him in the spotlight. Instead, ‘The Punisher’s’ sucker punch (according to coach Eric Nicksick) ignited a brawl with Manel Kape in a hotel lobby.

However, this incident marked just the beginning of the controversy surrounding Mokaev. Inside the Octagon, he committed several fouls, including eye pokes and groin strikes. Matters escalated further when, during a grappling exchange, the Dagestani native pulled Manel Kape’s shorts down. Despite these clear violations, neither the referee nor the judges took any action, failing to deduct points from Mokaev, which allowed him to secure a win. However, Dana White saw these actions as unacceptable.

Ultimately, White chose to part ways with ‘The Punisher’ and didn’t renew Mokaev’s contract who was fighting in his last bout under his current agreement with the UFC. White explained, “The matchmakers and Hunter were not happy with him. They weren’t happy with the way he acted. They weren’t happy with a lot of the things he did and said. I guess you can look back now and regret it, but you did it.”

Many, including Aljamain Sterling, have voiced their criticism of the UFC’s decision to release Mokaev, calling it “unfair.” As we approach the end of 2024 and finalize our list of the Top 5 Bizarre UFC Moments, what are your thoughts? Does our list truly reflect the most bizarre incidents of the year, or is there another moment you believe deserves a spot? If so, what incident would you include? Share your opinion below.