Michael Chandler’s goal is to be recognized as a gem in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). While Chandler has already built up quite a reputation being a two-time Bellator lightweight champion, he feels he’s just coming into his own. Chandler is set to defend his 155-pound gold against Brent Primus inside Madison Square […]
Michael Chandler’s goal is to be recognized as a gem in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). While Chandler has already built up quite a reputation being a two-time Bellator lightweight champion, he feels he’s just coming into his own. Chandler is set to defend his 155-pound gold against Brent Primus inside Madison Square […]
Michael Chandler’s goal is to be recognized as a gem in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). While Chandler has already built up quite a reputation being a two-time Bellator lightweight champion, he feels he’s just coming into his own. Chandler is set to defend his 155-pound gold against Brent Primus inside Madison Square […]
Michael Chandler’s goal is to be recognized as a gem in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). While Chandler has already built up quite a reputation being a two-time Bellator lightweight champion, he feels he’s just coming into his own. Chandler is set to defend his 155-pound gold against Brent Primus inside Madison Square […]
Patricio Freire certainly isn’t mincing words when talking about Michael Chandler. There’s bad blood that has brewed between the Freire brothers and Chandler. “Pitbull’s” older brother Patricky has fought Chandler twice. Chandler emerged victorious twice and scored a knockout in the rematch. After knocking out Patricky, Chandler went over to Friere’s corner and had some […]
Patricio Freire certainly isn’t mincing words when talking about Michael Chandler. There’s bad blood that has brewed between the Freire brothers and Chandler. “Pitbull’s” older brother Patricky has fought Chandler twice. Chandler emerged victorious twice and scored a knockout in the rematch. After knocking out Patricky, Chandler went over to Friere’s corner and had some […]
It’s clear now that Bellator MMA is loading up the card for their next pay-per-view event, which would be the second PPV event in the promotion’s history as the third bout has been announced for Bellator 180 and it will be for a title. Michael Chandler will defend his lightweight title against Brent Primus at
It’s clear now that Bellator MMA is loading up the card for their next pay-per-view event, which would be the second PPV event in the promotion’s history as the third bout has been announced for Bellator 180 and it will be for a title. Michael Chandler will defend his lightweight title against Brent Primus at the event. MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwaniwas the first to report the news.
Chandler (16-3) has been on fire as of late as he has won four straight bouts and is coming off a successful title defense against former UFC champion Benson Henderson in November. This is going to be a tough task for Chandler as Primus (7-0) started as a prospect and has turned into a title challenger after picking up five wins in a row under the Bellator MMA banner. He is is coming off a split decision win over Gleristone Santos last April and will be coming into this bout following a 14-month layoff.
It has already been announced that a grudge match between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva will headline this event. Also, Fedor Emelianenko will make his Bellator debut against Matt Mitrione in the co-main event.
Bellator 180 takes place on June 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York, and the main card airs on pay-per-view. It’s likely that part of the prelims will air on Spike with the rest of the prelims airing online just like they did at Bellator 120, which was the first PPV event in the promotion’s history.
Michael Chandler’s lightweight title will be on the line at Bellator 180. Chandler’s opponent for the June 24 card will be Brent Primus. MMAFighting.com brought word of the title bout. Bellator 180 is being held inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event of the card features a grudge match between Wanderlei […]
Michael Chandler’s lightweight title will be on the line at Bellator 180. Chandler’s opponent for the June 24 card will be Brent Primus. MMAFighting.com brought word of the title bout. Bellator 180 is being held inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event of the card features a grudge match between Wanderlei […]
The UFC octagon has long been billed as the ultimate proving ground for mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, and as such has played host to the great of the sport for over 20 years. However, it would be wrong to suggest that all the best fighters in the world have fought in the UFC at
The UFC octagon has long been billed as the ultimate proving ground for mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, and as such has played host to the great of the sport for over 20 years.
However, it would be wrong to suggest that all the best fighters in the world have fought in the UFC at some point in their careers, as there have been some notable stand-outs that have never fought on the sport’s biggest stage.
As you’ll read in the pages that follow, the reasons for this are varied, from financial stumbling blocks and personality clashes at the negotiating table, through to injury woes and personal issues, and occasionally just simply having been inexplicably overlooked.
There’s some serious talent on display here, so prepare to consider what might have been as we countdown of the 10 best fighters who have never fought in the UFC.
10. Paulo Filho
An extremely talented fighter, Filho would surely have fought in the UFC at some stage in his career had he not been sidetracked by a bigger battle with his own inner demons.
The Brazilian’s career began with victories in Heroes, Deep and Pancrase promotions, and that soon led to him signing with PRIDE.
Filho could do no wrong as he continued to extend his unbeaten record with wins over the likes of Ryatuo Sakurai and Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua, before taking out Ryo Chonan and Kazuo Misaki to reach the final of the PRIDE Middleweight Grand-Prix in 2006, but a bicep injury would then force him out of the tournament.
Filho left PRIDE after that, but continued to impress by winning the WEC’s middleweight title against Joe Doerksen and then successfully defended the belt against Chael Sonnen.
By this stage Filho had compiled a flawless 16-0 campaign and was being hailed by some as the best middleweight in the world, but his career then began to spiral out of control due to depression, drug addiction, money issues and later health problems.
Despite several attempts to get back on track, trouble never seemed far away from Filho, and at one stage he would claim just three wins in 11 fights, ending any hopes of making his way to the UFC and instead becoming the poster child for wasted talent in the sport.
