Some questions are impossible to answer. For instance, who is he greatest MMA fighter of all time? Well, depending upon the criteria you choose, it could be anyone from Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre to Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, or maybe even an era-defining juggernaut like Royce Gracie. The point is that when talking about the best fighter, there is no objective answer. But the question of, which is your favorite fighter? It becomes easier owing to the subjectivity of your taste!

And this scenario applies to the actual wars inside the Octagon as well. Over the years, there have been countless slobberknockers, technical tug of wars, and outright single-round bouts that have captured the imagination of MMA fans. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2? Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Johnson? Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko Cro Crop? There is something for everyone. But what about the UFC head honcho, Dana White?

In the case of the Bossman, his favorite fight is a little-known but action-packed rematch between former welterweight champion and GSP beater Matt Hughes and retired MMA star Frank Trigg at UFC 52 in April 2005. This was the second fight ever to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, which was done as soon as the fight was eligible in 2015. The card was a significant one in more than one way. The $2.6 million grossing card headlined by Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture after their stint as rival head coaches on the promotion-saving ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ season one.

“The backstory behind that one is I call Hughes up, and he hates this guy. I said, ‘You got to fight Trigg again.’ He’s like, ‘I hate him, I already beat him, and I will never beat him more impressively than the first time I did. I’m not saying I’m not going to fight him, I’m just saying it sucks.’ Tons of trash-talk and back and forth between these two to the point where in the face-off, Trigg walks out and literally touches Matt’s face with his face. And Hughes pushes him backwards,” White reminisced in an interview with the UFC.

But that contentious face-off, while it did set the mood for the clash, was nothing compared to how their electrifying fight actually played out. For context, Hughes had beaten Trigg in their first fight via a standing rear-naked choke.

“Trigg actually kicks Matt in the n–s, and the ref doesn’t see it. Then, Trigg gets a rear-naked choke, and Matt had said some stuff like, ‘Who gets rear-naked choked in a fight? You have to be like a white belt to get rear-naked choked – and now Matt’s getting rear-naked choked, and it looks like the fight is over,” the UFC CEO remembered fondly.

“I don’t know how he did it. From lying on the ground, he picks Trigg over his head, on his shoulder, and literally runs the entire distance of the Octagon. 17,000 people jumped out of their seats at the same time, and the roof nearly came off that building. The greatest fight I have ever seen, ever been to. It was my favourite fight ever,” he added.

Sounds like a pretty great fight, right? Well, the actual fight was even more exciting than Dana White was able to convey in these comments. Let’s check out!

The electrifying roller coaster that was Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg 2

The Hughes-Trigg rematch didn’t even last the first round, but had enough action for two or three title fights. As the UFC CEO pointed out, Trigg’s downing of Hughes felt was a knee to the groin that wasn’t called. ‘Twinkle Toes’ followed up with some devastating ground and pound, and it looked like the fight was all but over.

But Hughes, the warrior that he is, managed to survive, which prompted Trigg to go for a rear-naked choke hold, which Hughes had used to beat Trigg in their first fight. The former Icon champion got his hooks in, and Hughes was all but gone. His face turned red, and the then-UFC champ looked like he was moments away from either going to sleep or tapping. But again, Hughes somehow survived, and proceeded to lift Trigg off the ground, carried him across the ring, and slam him on the canvas.

Now it was Hughes’ turn, and the GSP-beater proceeded to land some sharp elbows on Trigg from top position. ‘Twinkle Toes’ turned, valiantly trying to get up, but gave the Illinois native his back, who proceeded to catch Trigg in a rear-naked choke. Trigg, seeing the writing on the wall, tapped, and the fight was over.

Mind you, all of this took place within a four and a half minute time span, and the two warriors embraced after the fight. Even Trigg, the loser, couldn’t help but smile, knowing he had left everything he had in the Octagon and given the fans an all-timer. What do you think about Dana White picking Hughes-Trigg 2 as his favorite fight?