The five best MMA bouts of 2016 (so far)

The pursuit and defense of a mixed martial arts belt, and the high stakes of a long-sought showdown, have fueled the best MMA fights of the year.

The intense action in the octagon is one reason why the Ultimate Fighting Championship franchise recently sold for $4 billion.

Here’s a look at the five best MMA bouts this year (so far):

1. Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit, Jan. 2, Las Vegas:

Lawler followed his 2015 fight of the year over Rory MacDonald by rallying to win the fifth round against Condit on all three judges’ cards and gain the split-decision triumph.

Condit’s length, knees and elbows kept Lawler desperate until his barrage of blows nearly produced a stoppage.

2. Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm, March 5, Las Vegas:

Miesha Tate, right, battles Holly Holm during a women’s bantamweight title fight at UFC 196 in Las Vegas on March 5.

(Wally Skaliji / Los Angeles Times )

Holm had the option to remain sidelined and wait for a big-money rematch against Ronda Rousey later this year. Instead, Tate opted to fight the top contender.

Twice beaten by Rousey, Tate trailed Holm on scorecards before finding a way to somersault into position for a deciding rear naked chokehold that dramatically ended the bout in the waning moments of the fifth and final round.

3. Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor, March 5, Las Vegas:

Nate Diaz takes down Conor McGregor during their non-title welterweight bout at UFC 196 in Las Vegas on March 5.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times )

Diaz, the substitute opponent from Stockton, insisted the bout be fought at a heavier weight. The confident McGregor agreed to move up 25 pounds, and paid the price for it.

Diaz got hit in the first round but landed some heavy shots that fatigued McGregor, leading him to the canvas. Once there, the jiu-jitsu-skilled Diaz finished McGregor by rear naked chokehold. Their rematch is the main event of Saturday’s UFC 202 in Las Vegas.

4. Dominick Cruz vs. T.J. Dillashaw, Jan. 17, Boston:

Dillashaw defended his belt against a proud former champion who’d only had one brief comeback fight after a run of knee injuries over three-plus years.

Cruz, specializing in taking away his foe’s strength, did just enough in extremely close rounds to persuade the judges to award him a split-decision triumph.

5. Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva, Feb. 27, London:

England’s Bisping had always wanted a shot at longtime middleweight champion Silva, but kept losing right before his time would come.

Finally, it did. In this bout, Bisping’s activity won him a narrow unanimous-decision victory after a near knockout knee from Silva at the close of the third round. Bisping parlayed the victory to the middleweight belt, knocking out Luke Rockhold on June 4 at the Forum.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

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