Gatekeepers are a group of fighters who have failed to stay afloat atop their respective divisions. They still pack serious power as top-level threats, but they no longer possess the elite pizazz that they once did.
Now while many people think being labeled a gatekeeper is a bad omen for a veteran trying to keep his or her footing on the divisional ladder, these mysterious combatants are important to the sport and organizations like the UFC.
They provide fans and fellow fighters the opportunity to see how an up-and-coming prospect fares against a well-known Octagon warrior. They separate the weak from the worthwhile and give insight into the future of the division for matchmakers like Joe Silva.
So without further ado, with all due respect, here is the one true gatekeeper for each UFC weight class.