It’s now been over a decade since the UFC first launched their reality show ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and over the years a number of the competitors have gone on to become some of the biggest and best known stars in the Octagon. Who are the most successful fighters ever to emerge from TUF though? We’ll
It’s now been over a decade since the UFC first launched their reality show ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and over the years a number of the competitors have gone on to become some of the biggest and best known stars in the Octagon.
Who are the most successful fighters ever to emerge from TUF though?
We’ll seek to answer that question in this article, but before we go any further, let’s define what what ‘success’ means in this instance.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be taking into account the fighters record in the UFC, the level of competition they’ve been successful against, and of course, also paying close attention to any titles and accolades they’ve won.
At the same time, we’ll also be adding extra emphasis to those who’ve been able to find fame and fortune inside the Octagon, and in some cases even leveraged that to become successful outside of the cage too.
So without further ado, let’s get straight into our TUF Top 10.
With UFC on FOX 19 set for this Saturday night, the recent edition of “UFC Tonight” was used to promote the card.
Co-hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier each offered up a fighter to watch, with both sticking away from the “obvious” selections and digging a little deeper.
Florian picked Rose Namajunas, who meets Tecia Torres in the new co-main event in a likely title-eliminator bout at strawweight.
“Rose Namajunas is a completely different fighter than the one you saw in the Ultimate Fighter finale,” Florian said. “Everything is really coming together for her not only on a technical level but mentally she is just way more mature as a fighter. She can really do it all.”
For Cormier, he went with Islam Makhachev, as the Sambo world champion takes on Drew Dober in a lightweight bout that kicks off the televised prelims.
“My fighter to watch is Islam Makhachev. He lost his last fight but had moved up very fast,” Cormier said. “This young man is unbelievable. In the time since his last fight, he’s won another Sambo World Championship. I’ve been with him in training camp, the dude is a monster with unbelievable wrestling and great cardio.”
With UFC on FOX 19 set for this Saturday night, the recent edition of “UFC Tonight” was used to promote the card.
Co-hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier each offered up a fighter to watch, with both sticking away from the “obvious” selections and digging a little deeper.
Florian picked Rose Namajunas, who meets Tecia Torres in the new co-main event in a likely title-eliminator bout at strawweight.
“Rose Namajunas is a completely different fighter than the one you saw in the Ultimate Fighter finale,” Florian said. “Everything is really coming together for her not only on a technical level but mentally she is just way more mature as a fighter. She can really do it all.”
For Cormier, he went with Islam Makhachev, as the Sambo world champion takes on Drew Dober in a lightweight bout that kicks off the televised prelims.
“My fighter to watch is Islam Makhachev. He lost his last fight but had moved up very fast,” Cormier said. “This young man is unbelievable. In the time since his last fight, he’s won another Sambo World Championship. I’ve been with him in training camp, the dude is a monster with unbelievable wrestling and great cardio.”
Throughout the nearly 23-year history of the UFC, there’s been an elite group of champions that truly define both their weight class and era with unique and transcendent skills. Names like Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, Jon Jones, Randy Couture, and Matt Hughes have all made their mark upon MMA as one of the greatest
Throughout the nearly 23-year history of the UFC, there’s been an elite group of champions that truly define both their weight class and era with unique and transcendent skills. Names like Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, Jon Jones, Randy Couture, and Matt Hughes have all made their mark upon MMA as one of the greatest champions of all-time.
However, there is also another group of fighters who, while no doubt world-class and among the best of their respective eras, simply could not rise above the truly game-breaking champions above them to win the belt. Some of them were ousted by the legends of the fight game, and others never got the title shot.
Regardless, these fighters will go down as solid and effective in their own right, but just not good enough to be called UFC champion (at least not yet for some). Let’s take a look at the best fighters to never win a UFC championship.
It’s time for the third and final part of ‘The Gym Wars’ series, unearthing a final, fascinating selection of behind-the-scenes videos that shed light on what really goes on in the training room as tempers flare, kicks and punches land too hard and bodies start to hit the floor. Be sure to check out the
It’s time for the third and final part of ‘The Gym Wars’ series, unearthing a final, fascinating selection of behind-the-scenes videos that shed light on what really goes on in the training room as tempers flare, kicks and punches land too hard and bodies start to hit the floor.
Be sure to check out the first and second parts of the series if you haven’t already, and without any further ado, let’s begin.
While the pre-fight talk going into UFC 196 was that with a welterweight victory over Nate Diaz, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor could conceivably challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship against Robbie Lawler, perhaps at the landmark …
While the pre-fight talk going into UFC 196 was that with a welterweight victory over Nate Diaz, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor could conceivably challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship against Robbie Lawler, perhaps at the landmark UFC 200 event in July. After less than two rounds with Diaz inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena, all of that went away for McGregor, and UFC analyst Kenny Florian thinks he knows why.
Florian spoke with fellow UFC analyst Jon Anik during their most recent podcast about his belief that Saturday’s outcome was a case of “too much, too soon” for “The Notorious” Conor McGregor.
“Conor, while he’s super slick, and I still think he was the more slick boxer, he was not the more consistent boxer. When you go up in weight and you’re used to fighting at a certain weight and carrying that extra weight you’re not going to be as efficient as you normally are. You’re going to expend more energy fighting at that weight. I think Conor didn’t take that into account.
“The other thing is I don’t think Conor respected Nate Diaz. He didn’t respect Nate Diaz the way you should. He didn’t think his chin was going to be able to hold up. He thought his punches were going to land and Nate Diaz was just going to crumble. He underestimated him.”
Florian continued to give his take on the fight, claiming McGregor said some of it best himself.
“The other thing is, and Conor kinda of talked about this, is his lack of efficiency. Conor was trying to knock him out with every shot. Before he realized that he was tired, it was too late. I think that was the difference. When he saw that Nate Diaz was still walking forward, still throwing shots and landing them, I think mentally it broke Conor.
“He goes, ‘My god, against other normal human beings, 145-pounders, these guys crumbled with the power.’ I think that really threw him for a loop. He didn’t expect Nate Diaz to stay standing like that.”
KenFlo outright stated that he feels McGregor should return to the division he is champion of, UFC’s 145-pound featherweight class.
“He’s got to go down to 145, first of all. He’s got to defend his belt at 145 pounds. I would like to see him face Frankie Edgar. That’s just what I would like to see. For Conor, as champion, I’m going to go with whatever is going to bring me the most money. What do the fans want to see?
“We saw the Jose Aldo fight, give another guy a shot. I know Aldo was the champion for a very long time. He certainly has an argument to get that rematch, however, I’d like to see a fresh face in this case. I think Frankie deserves it. He’s been waiting in the wings for a very long time. Give the kid a shot.”
While many believe Conor McGregor will run right through Nate Diaz this coming Saturday night at UFC 196, former title contender Kenny Florian believes the underdog has a strong shot at the upset.
Florian, a co-host on “UFC Tonight,” offered up his thoughts on the main event during a recent edition of the program.
“The Diaz brothers are always training and in shape. Nate’s got a longer reach than Conor and Conor hasn’t faced someone like that before,” Florian said. “Nate’s a big lightweight. He’s got a bigger frame and an excellent chin. He’s got the advantage on the ground.”
Diaz replaced UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the headline fight from Las Vegas and MGM Grand Garden Arena less than two weeks ago. The 30-year-old returned in December from a year-long layoff and bested Michael Johnson, improving to 4-3 over his last seven fights.
McGregor, meanwhile, is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He has agreed to take his main event fight at 170 pounds, entering new territory for “Notorious.”
“Conor will have speed advantage. Nate not known for his kicking game, but Conor is,” Florian added. “With Nate’s southpaw stance and his front leg out there, Conor will kick out that lead leg and he’ll also use spinning attacks. He has to get inside, vary his attacks and defend the takedown. He doesn’t want to be on the ground with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Nate.”
While many believe Conor McGregor will run right through Nate Diaz this coming Saturday night at UFC 196, former title contender Kenny Florian believes the underdog has a strong shot at the upset.
Florian, a co-host on “UFC Tonight,” offered up his thoughts on the main event during a recent edition of the program.
“The Diaz brothers are always training and in shape. Nate’s got a longer reach than Conor and Conor hasn’t faced someone like that before,” Florian said. “Nate’s a big lightweight. He’s got a bigger frame and an excellent chin. He’s got the advantage on the ground.”
Diaz replaced UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the headline fight from Las Vegas and MGM Grand Garden Arena less than two weeks ago. The 30-year-old returned in December from a year-long layoff and bested Michael Johnson, improving to 4-3 over his last seven fights.
McGregor, meanwhile, is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He has agreed to take his main event fight at 170 pounds, entering new territory for “Notorious.”
“Conor will have speed advantage. Nate not known for his kicking game, but Conor is,” Florian added. “With Nate’s southpaw stance and his front leg out there, Conor will kick out that lead leg and he’ll also use spinning attacks. He has to get inside, vary his attacks and defend the takedown. He doesn’t want to be on the ground with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Nate.”
