Being an ex-UFC champion these days isn’t easy. In a youth-injected era recently overtaken by evolutionary talent and skill, the ins and outs of being an elite mixed martial artist are becoming more intricate by the day.
So when you falter, things tend to fall apart, especially for a tenured titleholder.
Critics are the first to jump ship at the sight of a potential fall-off, followed by a fanbase often depicted by the always unfair “what have you done for me lately?” motto.
But through all of the hardship and experiences endured by ex-champions looking to reclaim their throne, the future is still bright. They still have a chance to reboot the system, work out the kinks, settle into a new mode of offense and aim for greatness.
Here’s how each current ex-champion ranks amongst their peers. Enjoy.