Momentum shifts in mixed martial arts are unlike any other sport. A fighter can be “down by a million” and still win in an instant.

2023 saw its fair share of impressive come-from-behind victories, but CJ Vergara’s rally against Daniel Lacerda stuck out from the pack.

The flyweight bout took place March 25 during the UFC on ESPN 43 prelims. Fighting out of San Antonio, Vergara competed in front of his home city. Things took a turn in the wrong direction for Vergara midway through Round 1 when a Lacerda wheel kick put him on roller skates.

The sequence that followed was a unique one in MMA history. What was Vergara’s defensive recovery method against the charging Lacerda was to out-run him? Vergara sprinted away but eventually Lacerda caught him – and dropped him again. Somehow, someway, Vergara survived to Round 2.

The sheer ability to survive injected energy into the crowd. As Round 2 progressed, Vergara’s momentum increased while Lacerda’s energy and success dwindled. Vergara got on top of Lacerda on the ground and landed dozens of strikes before referee Jason Herzog waved off the fight.

Exciting. Improbable. Incredible.

That’s why CJ Vergara’s win over Daniel Lacerda is MMA Junkie’s 2023 Comeback of the Year.

Honorable mentions

Here are some other incredible comebacks that didn’t take home the win but were close behind.

• Rodolfo Bellato def. Ihor Poiteira (UFC on ESPN 52)
• Elves Brener def. Guram Kutateladze (UFC on ESPN 48)
• Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff (UFC Fight Night 230)
• Carlston Harris def. Jeremiah Wells (UFC on ESPN 50)
• Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Godofredo Pepey (ARES FC 3)
• Lucas Brennan def. Weber Almeida (Bellator 298)
• Nicolas Dalby def. Gabriel Bonfim (UFC Fight Night 231)