While technique is of primary importance inside the Octagon, fighters like Mark Hunt, Roy Nelson and Diego Sanchez probably wouldn’t be where they are in the UFC today without their sheer toughness.
Over the past 12 months, UFC fighters have poured blood, sweat and tears onto the Octagon canvas. They’ve endured incredible amounts of punishment for the entertainment of MMA fans around the world. Some have taken more abuse than others, but all have risked their safety in pursuit of success in the purest form of competition.
The end of the calendar year brings an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices UFC fighters have made throughout 2013.
Damage can be measured in many different ways. The simplest and objective way to do so, though, is in the form of significant strikes received.
So, based on that statistic over all fights contested since Jan. 1, here are the fighters who have absorbed the most punishment in 2013.