“Jamahal Hill loses his next fight” – The LHW champ looking ‘out of shape’ sparks Twitter debate on his chances against Jiri Prochazka

UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill recently called out former champ Jiri Prochazka for his next title defense. However, Hill’s latest sighting has fans concerned about how ‘Sweet Dreams’ will fare against Prochazka.

Hill was in attendance for UFC Charlotte which was headlined by Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida on Saturday. While the UFC champ was just breaking a leg, it was his somewhat portruding belly that invited wild reactions on social media.

A fan strongly opined that Hill is indisciplined and will likely lose his strap to Prochazka, who is known as a modern day samurai. @MMAGPT wrote:

“Jamahal Hill loses his next fight. Not in shape, not training, and spending too much time on instagram and live events parading as the champ. He doesn’t care to be great. He just wanted to become champion. Meanwhile Jiri is probably meditating butt naked on Mt. Everest”

Jamahal Hill loses his next fight.Not in shape, not training, and spending too much time on instagram and live events parading as the champ.He doesn’t care to be great. He just wanted to become champion.Meanwhile Jiri is probably meditating butt naked on Mt. Everest https://t.co/QphdM2Fpdx

While some MMA fans agree with the above assessment, others believe the belly won’t be concern inside the octagon for ‘Sweet Dreams’.

Check out some comments below:

“Yeah, that guy is a modern day samurai. Hill looking like he’s 255lbs”

“Jamahal coming to fight with a belly and still win”

“So bcuz he is dancing at a live event supporting his friend he isn’t training?”

“Butt naked Jiri Fabia got wrecked by old man Glover 🙄”

@MMAGPT Jamahal coming to fight with a belly and still win

@neyouno Yeah, that guy is a modern day samurai. Hill looking like he’s 255lbs

@Apemanmma Didn’t know that. I remember him saying the only fear he had in life was dying before knowing if he could be champion or not.Now that he’s champion, I feel like he lost that drive.Makes me think a fight that Jamahal had is now up for question imo

@MMAGPT Lol he looks “out of shape” every fight and almost flatlines the comp each time. Took an old gritty legend like Glover to the absolute brink. I aint betting against him especially against a non-traditional fighter like Jiri.

@MMAGPT I think Jiri wins just based on him being a better fighter imo.

@MMAGPT It’s just the way he’s built. He had a little over one month to prepare for Glover. You must’ve forgot. https://t.co/f0Qn9xaSj3

@MMAGPT Jamahal always looks like that out of camp and never misses weight

@MMAGPT Idk man this dude is that type of guy that seems very undisciplined and not caring but behind closed doors he is putting in work, he gives me that type of vibe for some reason. I can be totally wrong tho lol

@MMAGPT I’d say he’s enjoying the moment of being the champ but when it comes time to train he’ll lock in. You’ll see that weight drop real quick

@MMAGPT Why Tf would meditating naked in sub 0 degree weather be better for the mind and body than having fun with the bros ? Jiri can meditate on the fuckin Sun that still won’t keep his chin out the air

@MMAGPT I see what you mean with this take but it really just comes down to their skill level and how well prepared they are on fight day.There’s also a lot you’re not seeing—every day of their actual training.But I have no skin in the game or any prediction. Just food for thought.

@MMAGPT Butt naked Jiri Fabia got wrecked by old man Glover 🙄

@MMAGPT So bcuz he is dancing at a live event supporting his friend he isn’t training?

Jiri Prochazka won’t fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 292

Jiri Prochazka vacated the middleweight title after suffering a shoulder injury ahead of a scheduled title defense against Glover Teixiera at UFC 282 last December. Jamahal Hill went on to win the vacant strap against Teixeira and rightfully offered Prochazka the next shot.

Hill recently claimed to have heard that the matchup is being targeted for UFC 292 which was recently made official for August 19 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. However, the matchup is unlikely to come to fruition this summer as Prochazka won’t meet the deadline. The Czech recent said on the Fair Play Thinker podcast:

“August is still early for me because, and I keep saying this, I don’t want to just come there healthy in the cage and go fight right away. I want to come into the cage with the fact that I’ve broken down my style and taken a step and I’m a step ahead in my fighting style, my career, my mindset, everything.” h/t Bloodyelbow.com

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5 UFC stars who regularly struggle to finish their opponents

UFC president Dana White loves to tell his fighters never to leave things in the hands of the judges, but it’s fair to say that some of his roster don’t always follow that advice.

Right now, there are a number of fighters competing in the UFC who, while relatively successful, seem to struggle when it comes to finishing their opponents.

Often, this doesn’t make them any less popular. Some of them can count themselves among the bigger stars in the promotion. Despite this, it’s rare to see them win before the final buzzer.

Here are five UFC stars who regularly struggle to finish their opponents.


#5. Belal Muhammad – UFC welterweight

Belal Muhammad's lack of finishes in the octagon may hold him back from title contention
Belal Muhammad’s lack of finishes in the octagon may hold him back from title contention

There are a number of observers, Daniel Cormier included, who believe that Belal Muhammad and not Colby Covington should be in line for the next shot at the welterweight title.

They might have a point. ‘Remember the Name’ has not been beaten in a nine-fight run that dates back to 2019, and takes in victories over some of the best fighters in his division.

However, one reason why the UFC may have overlooked Muhammad is his overall lack of finishing ability inside the octagon.

To be fair, ‘Remember the Name’ did dispatch Sean Brady in ruthless fashion in his last bout. Brady had never been beaten before, but Muhammad put him away with a violent flurry of punches in the second round.

However, prior to that, six of his previous seven wins had gone the distance, including his victories over Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque and Demian Maia.

Before his current run, too, he’d gone the distance in four of his five other octagon wins. Overall, Muhammad has 13 UFC victories under his belt, and only three of them have ended before the final buzzer.

‘Remember the Name’ is undoubtedly a great fighter, but perhaps this missing piece of the puzzle is what will prevent him from climbing to the top of the welterweight mountain.


#4. Katlyn Chookagian – UFC flyweight

Katlyn Chookagian has never finished an opponent in the octagon
Katlyn Chookagian has never finished an opponent in the octagon

Katlyn Chookagian has been renowned as one of the best female flyweights in the UFC for a long time now, dating back to her move to the division back in 2018.

‘Blonde Fighter’ has picked up nine wins at 125 pounds, and has only suffered four losses, one of which was a highly controversial split decision defeat to Jessica Eye.

However, none of those nine wins saw her finish her foe, with all of them instead going the distance. In fact, Chookagian’s two wins as a bantamweight prior to her move to 125 pounds also went the distance, too.

In this instance, it seems like Chookagian’s fighting style – which tends to involve her looking to pick her opponents apart on the feet – is largely to blame.

Usually, fighters find that they pick up a lot of finishes over lower-level foes prior to arriving in the UFC. ‘Blonde Fighter’, on the other hand, only stopped three of her seven opponents prior to her promotional debut.

At this stage in her career, it doesn’t feel like Chookagian will change up her fighting style any time soon. Unfortunately, then, it’s also unlikely that she’ll become any bigger of a star, even if she continues to win most of her bouts.


#3. Leon Edwards – UFC welterweight champion

Leon Edwards is the world's best 170lber, but he doesn't often finish his opponents
Leon Edwards is the world’s best 170lber, but he doesn’t often finish his opponents

There are a few things about UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards that, right now at least, seem enshrined in truth.

Firstly, after his second win over Kamaru Usman a couple of weeks ago, ‘Rocky’ is the best 170lber on the planet. Secondly, his head kick knockout of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in 2022 is up there with the greatest finishes in octagon history.

However, looking at that head kick and taking it as the norm for Edwards would actually be a big mistake. In fact, it’s easier to argue instead that ‘Rocky’ should probably be considered a fighter who often struggles to finish his foes.

Prior to that legendary knockout of Usman, Edwards had won 10 of his previous 11 fights in the octagon, with the other being a no contest with Belal Muhammad.

Interestingly, though, just two of those 10 fights ended before the final buzzer – a submission win over Albert Tumenov back in 2016 and a TKO stoppage of Peter Sobotta in 2018.

Remarkably, Edwards’ stoppage of Sobotta came in the final second of the third and final round of the fight, too – meaning had the referee been very slightly slower, he’d have had a ninth decision win to his name.

Prior to this run, as well, Edwards had finished just one opponent in the octagon, stopping Seth Baczynski in 2015.

So should ‘Rocky’ be considered a point-fighter? It’s debatable, as the native of Birmingham, England, is an aggressive fighter for the most part.

However, head kick of Usman aside, there’s definitely an argument to suggest he struggles for finishes, even if that doesn’t make him any less of a fighter or champion.


#2. Merab Dvalishvili – UFC bantamweight

Merab Dvalishvili could be the best bantamweight in the world right now, but he rarely finishes his foes
Merab Dvalishvili could be the best bantamweight in the world right now, but he rarely finishes his foes

Following his dominant win over former bantamweight champion Petr Yan a couple of weeks ago, there’s a very real argument that Merab Dvalishvili might be the best 135lber in the UFC right now.

‘The Machine’ does not hold the title – his teammate and friend Aljamain Sterling does – but he is on the best win streak in the division and the pace that he sets in his fights seems to be something nobody can cope with.

However, one thing that cannot be said about the native of Georgia is that he’s a deadly finisher inside the octagon.

Of his nine wins inside the octagon, just one has come inside the distance – his incredible come-from-behind stoppage of Marlon Moraes in 2021.

That win, which saw Dvalishvili recover from a horrendous knockdown in the first round to destroy Moraes in the second, was amazing to watch. Interestingly, it was also one of the few times he’d had to rely on something other than his incredible pressure to win.

Outside of that, none of the Georgian’s opponents have really been able to stop his clinch work, takedown and forward movement, leading most of them to defeats. Even Ricky Simon and Frankie Saenz, who beat Dvalishvili in his first two octagon appearances, didn’t really beat him, per say.

Saenz won a split decision that arguably should’ve gone the other way, and Simon was awarded a TKO win after a controversial referee stoppage in the third round of a fight that Dvalishvili was clearly winning.

Overall, then, it may be the case that if an opponent can force Dvalishvili out of his comfort zone, as Moraes did, he’s more than capable of unleashing a nasty finish.

Until someone can do that, though, it’d be crazy for him to change his style to something more reckless. He might not be the best finisher, but he’s a genuinely phenomenal fighter.


#1. Holly Holm – former UFC bantamweight champion

Despite her famous knockout of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm has found finishes hard to come by
Despite her famous knockout of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm has found finishes hard to come by

Holly Holm will always be revered by longtime fans of the UFC for her famous head kick knockout of Ronda Rousey back in 2015.

At the time, ‘Rowdy’ was seen as unbeatable, but across two rounds, Holm picked her apart and then finished her with a picture-perfect kick to the dome, largely ending her career as a top-level MMA fighter too.

However, while ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is often pushed as a major star by the promotion, headlining numerous shows and fighting in plenty of title bouts, she’s only ever replicated that head kick finish once.

That came against an overmatched Bethe Correia in 2017, giving Holm her second highlight-reel moment in the octagon.

Outside of those two wins, though, every single one of Holm’s other victories has come via decision. While she was highly dominant in some of those fights, most notably against Megan Anderson and Yana Santos, she never really came close to finishing them.

What’s even more remarkable is the fact that despite being part of the UFC’s roster for eight years now, ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ has only actually picked up eight wins over that time.

In that sense, not only is Holm a fighter who often struggles to finish her foes, but she’s also a rare example of a superstar whose record isn’t quite as good as her reputation might suggest – even if she remains one of the most feared female fighters in the world.

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5 times when a UFC fighter’s corner should’ve thrown the towel in to save them

This weekend at UFC 285, fans were treated to a rarity of sorts when Derek Brunson’s corner threw the towel in during his fight with Dricus du Plessis, saving him from unnecessary damage.

Cornermen saving their fighters by throwing in the towel is a worryingly rare sight in the UFC. Over the years, though, we’ve seen a number of fights that probably should’ve been stopped in this way.

Often, the beatings fighters involved ended up taking altered their careers for the worse, making matters even more painful.

Here are five times when a UFC fighter’s corner should’ve thrown in the towel to save them.


#5. Kris Moutinho vs. Sean O’Malley – UFC 264

Kris Moutinho suffered inhuman punishment at the hands of Sean O'Malley
Kris Moutinho suffered inhuman punishment at the hands of Sean O’Malley

Fans were baffled in 2021 when Sean O’Malley, arguably the hottest prospect in the bantamweight division, was paired with unknown debutant Kris Moutinho at UFC 264.

To be fair to Moutinho, he was replacing Louis Smolka on short notice. Still, the fight made no sense. ‘Sugar’ had already beaten the likes of Eddie Wineland and Thomas Almeida, who were far more proven than the newcomer.

Everyone feared the worst for Moutinho, and they were proven correct.

In an absolutely merciless performance, O’Malley dismantled the newcomer, destroying him with strikes from the word go. By the end of the first round alone, ‘Sugar’ had connected with 77 significant strikes, bloodying Moutinho up and knocking him down late on.

Moutinho’s corner would’ve been justified stopping the fight there and then, but instead, they let their fighter take more criminal punishment in the second round.

The debutant absorbed another 70 significant strikes in that round. Remarkably, the fight went into the third stanza, where ‘Sugar’ hammered him with another 83 shots before referee Herb Dean called a rare standing TKO.

Incredibly, the fans in attendance didn’t seem happy with the stoppage, but it was entirely justified. In reality, Moutinho’s corner should’ve thrown in the towel after the first round.

It was painfully clear that their fighter was badly outgunned, and to allow him to continue only meant he suffered more brain trauma.


#4. Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira – UFC Fight Night 171

Glover Teixeira brutally punished Anthony Smith in their bout
Glover Teixeira brutally punished Anthony Smith in their bout

A number of fighters in the UFC live up to their nicknames, but few come close to Anthony Smith. Known as ‘Lionheart’, the former light heavyweight title challenger has shown his insane toughness on numerous occasions.

Sometimes, though, that toughness has landed Smith in more trouble than he probably deserved. One such example was his 2020 bout with Glover Teixeira.

In the headliner of a Fight Night event at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans expected Smith and Teixeira to go toe-to-toe. Indeed, they lived up to those expectations.

However, despite ‘Lionheart’ performing well in the first two rounds, he seemed to run out of steam as the bout went on. In the third round, he found himself trapped underneath the Brazilian, who proceeded to batter him with strikes from top position.

The fight could well have been stopped by Smith’s corner there and then, but after an eye injury was cleared by the cageside doctor, the action continued.

‘Lionheart’ once again found himself on the bottom in the fourth round and took an utterly criminal beating. When he somehow survived the round and staggered to his corner, he outright told them that his teeth were falling out.

Quite why Smith’s corner didn’t throw the towel in there and then remains a mystery. However, ‘Lionheart’ was allowed to go out for the fifth round, where the bout was finally stopped by ref Jason Herzog.

Thankfully, Smith’s career seems to have recovered well from the beating. However, it’s safe to say that his corner were reckless here, and probably should’ve saved him.


#3. Dan Hooker vs. Edson Barboza – UFC on Fox 31

Dan Hooker was lucky that his career recovered from the beating he took from Edson Barboza
Dan Hooker was lucky that his career recovered from the beating he took from Edson Barboza

In late 2018, lightweight prospect Dan Hooker appeared to be on a roll. He’d won four fights in a row, stopping Ross Pearson, Marc Diakiese, Jim Miller and Gilbert Burns, and clearly needed a step up.

That came in the form of a clash with top 10-ranked Edson Barboza. Unfortunately, the bout could not have gone more wrong for ‘The Hangman’.

The New Zealand-based fighter tried his best to land strikes in the first round, but quickly found himself suffering from the heavy leg kicks of Barboza. When the Brazilian stunned him with a right hand towards the end of the round, it was clear which way the fight was heading.

Even that didn’t really hint to the damage ‘The Hangman’ would take in the second round, though. Already limping from the low kicks, Hooker was hit with numerous big shots, including huge kicks to the body, more leg kicks, and hard punches too.

When the round ended, it was painfully clear that Hooker had no chance of winning. Realistically, his corner should’ve saved him by throwing in the towel there and then.

Instead, he was allowed to go out for the third round, where he continued to take insane punishment despite not going down. Finally, a huge body punch forced him to collapse to his knees, and mercifully, the fight was stopped.

Luckily for ‘The Hangman’, he recovered from the beating and still seems relatively durable today – although he needed to take a full seven months off after the fight to recover.


#2. Edson Barboza vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC 219

Edson Barboza suffered a criminal beating from Khabib Nurmagomedov
Edson Barboza suffered a criminal beating from Khabib Nurmagomedov

Edson Barboza was responsible for a criminal beating when he faced Dan Hooker in 2018. Just a year before it, though, he suffered a terrible beating of his own at UFC 219.

Worryingly, the punishment that the Brazilian absorbed at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov seemed to have done genuine damage to his career at one point, although he did eventually seem to recover.

At the time, Barboza was riding a strong three-fight win streak. With Khabib returning from over a year on the shelf, the Brazilian felt like a major threat to him.

Of course, that wasn’t the case. ‘The Eagle’ came into the fight seemingly angry that he’d been overlooked for a UFC lightweight title shot, and took every frustration he had out on Barboza.

The Brazilian found himself forced to the ground in the first round, and Khabib went onto utterly destroy him with elbows and punches, practically swelling his eyes shut. When the stanza ended, he could barely make it to his corner.

Barboza’s team could well have stopped the fight then. It was painfully clear their fighter stood no chance of actually beating Khabib, who looked like a man possessed. However, instead of throwing the towel in, they allowed him to continue.

Remarkably, he survived the distance, but ended up absorbing a total of 154 strikes, many of them needless. Barboza’s career did recover – his next win was the bout with Hooker – but not before suffering a frighteningly similar beating from Kevin Lee in the meantime.


#1. Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez – UFC 166

Junior Dos Santos should've been saved by his corner against Cain Velasquez
Junior Dos Santos should’ve been saved by his corner against Cain Velasquez

The rivalry between former UFC heavyweight champions Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos is usually recalled as the greatest in the history of the division. However, despite ‘JDS’ winning the first bout via KO, it was also a painfully one-sided feud.

Velasquez beat the Brazilian down heavily in their second fight, claiming back the title he’d lost to the Brazilian in the process. When dos Santos bounced back by knocking out Mark Hunt, though, the trilogy fight was quickly signed.

Sadly for ‘JDS’, the bout at UFC 166 turned out to be even worse than his previous meeting with the champion.

Velasquez shrugged off an early shot from dos Santos that staggered him, and went on to bully him in the clinch, abusing him with huge punches. That continued in the second round, and in the third, when Velasquez dropped the Brazilian with a right hand, it looked like the fight was over.

The champion followed by seemingly knocking him out momentarily with follow-up punches. When he then put him him down for a second time, quite why Herb Dean didn’t step in was anyone’s guess.

Dos Santos survived the round, but it was clear that he wasn’t with it at all as he staggered to his corner. For the good of his career, his corner should’ve stopped things there and then.

Incredibly, though, they let him continue on. Eventually, he was finished in the fifth round via TKO. When the fight ended, ‘JDS’ had eaten no fewer than 274 strikes.

Was prime Cain Velasquez the best heavyweight of all time? 📹 via @UFC https://t.co/dahix9pWAY

In this case, dos Santos’ career never truly recovered. He went on to win six more fights in the UFC, but also suffered six defeats via TKO and looked vulnerable every time he fought.

Had his corner stopped his bout with Velasquez, he could well have gone on to far more success than he ended up having.

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5 fighters who should join Jens Pulver in the UFC Hall of Fame

This weekend saw the announcement that Jens Pulver, the inaugural UFC lightweight champion, will be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame this summer. So which fighters could join him soon?

Jens Pulver’s induction into the UFC Hall of Fame is well overdue, and there are a number of other fighters who are worthy of being inducted, too.

The first lightweight champion in UFC history is headed to the Hall of Fame! 🏆Congratulations @Jens_Pulver on becoming 2023’s newest #UFCHOF Inductee![ Presented by @ToyoTires ] https://t.co/DSIGNQqpXu

These fighters range from former champions to popular legends who never managed to win a title, but still made their mark in the octagon.

Here are five fighters who ought to join Jens Pulver in the UFC Hall of Fame.


#5. Frank Mir – former UFC heavyweight champion (Modern Wing)

Frank Mir should be considered an all time great at heavyweight
Frank Mir should be considered an all time great at heavyweight

One fighter who certainly belongs in the UFC Hall of Fame is former two-time heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

One of the most skilled submission artists in the history of the heavyweight division, it’s arguable that Mir is his generation’s most underrated fighter.

The Las Vegas native debuted in the octagon way back in 2001 at the age of just 20. He eventually departed the promotion 16 years later, giving him the longest uninterrupted tenure of any fighter in UFC history.

Longevity is not the only thing on Mir’s side when it comes to a potential Hall of Fame induction, though. During his tenure in the octagon, he beat some of the best heavyweights in the game, including Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar, Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson.

Perhaps most impressively, he became the first man to both knock out and submit former UFC and PRIDE champion – and Hall of Fame inductee – Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

What is the Greatest Submission of All-Time?#7 Seed: Frank Mir and Minotauro Nogueira met in a clash of BJJ heavyweights for an unforgettable back-and-forth ground war that ended in a win by Kimura for Frank Mir – and a painful loss for Big Nog. https://t.co/4ZHqnpDbz3

Arguably, only two things stand against Mir’s potential Hall of Fame induction right now. Firstly, he hasn’t officially retired and the promotion only tends to induct fighters who’ve hung their gloves up.

Secondly, he didn’t leave under the best terms, moving to Bellator MMA in 2017. However, the fact that his daughter Bella recently signed a developmental deal with Dana White and company probably stands in his favor.

Essentially, then, Mir hasn’t fought since 2019 and doesn’t seem to be likely to compete again anytime soon, so he ought to be given his rightful spot in the Hall of Fame.


#4. Evan Tanner – former UFC middleweight champion (Pioneer Wing)

It’s now been nearly two decades since Evan Tanner’s brief reign as UFC middleweight champion and almost 15 years since his tragic death in the deserts of California in 2008.

Despite all this time passing, Tanner has still not been inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame, but that should really change in the near future.

Tanner has seemingly been forgotten by many longtime fans at this stage, and newer ones might not even recognize his name. However, it’s not a stretch to describe him as one of the best middleweights to ever step into the octagon.

The native of Amarillo, Texas, made his debut in the octagon in 1999 after putting together an impressive 16-1 record on the regional circuit. Remarkably, he was a self-taught fighter, watching old VHS tapes for inspiration and then training alone in his garage.

Initially, he fought at 205 pounds, even unsuccessfully challenging Tito Ortiz for the light heavyweight crown in 2001. However, his best successes came when he moved down to 185 pounds in 2003.

Tanner claimed two victories over top contender Phil Baroni, and then stopped Robbie Lawler to put himself in line for a title shot. From there, he upset hot favorite David Terrell, brutalizing him with ground-and-pound in a wild fight to become the promotion’s first middleweight titleholder in over a year.

Tanner’s reign did not last too long as he was unseated by Rich Franklin in his first defense. However, despite suffering a further three losses before his career ended prior to his death, he was never an easy out for any fighter.

Renowned for helping to popularize the use of elbow strikes on the ground to great effect, Tanner was a charismatic, popular fighter whose tragic death probably robbed the fans of more potentially great fights.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner passed away 12 years ago today. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/8eMeVoCVrI

Sure, he might not be as decorated as some of the other fighters on this list, but he definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame.


#3. Vitor Belfort – former UFC light heavyweight champion (Pioneer Wing)

Vitor Belfort's longevity in the UFC was near unparalleled
Vitor Belfort’s longevity in the UFC was near unparalleled

It seems hard to believe but, somehow, Vitor Belfort has not yet been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Considering his longevity, accomplishments and various reinventions, this is baffling.

‘The Phenom’ debuted in the octagon way back in 1997, when the sport of MMA was still in its infancy. He immediately rose to fame with his explosive wins over the likes of Tank Abbott and Tra Telligman.

At one point, he looked invincible. His first career loss to Randy Couture proved that wrong, but the Brazilian then rebounded with a famous win over Wanderlei Silva before moving to PRIDE.

He would return to the UFC on two separate occasions later, seeing success both times. First, he won the light heavyweight title from Couture, albeit in controversial fashion. Then, he cut a path of destruction through the middleweight division, beating the likes of Dan Henderson, Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping.

10 years ago today, TRT Vitor Belfort changed Michael Bisping’s life forever https://t.co/geAbzaz6Bn

Belfort was never able to claim gold at 185 pounds despite two attempts at it, falling to both Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. He also courted controversy with his infamous use of testosterone replacement therapy during his run as a middleweight.

However, for his lengthy and impressive list of victims, as well as his incredible longevity – competing at the top for nearly two decades – should be enough to net him a spot in the Hall of Fame in the near future.


#2. Diego Sanchez – former UFC welterweight contender (Modern Wing)

Despite not winning a title, Diego Sanchez should be considered a legend
Despite not winning a title, Diego Sanchez should be considered a legend

For the most part, the fighters inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame thus far have either held titles in the promotion or claimed gold in one of the other large MMA organisations like PRIDE or WEC.

However, while Diego Sanchez never claimed gold in the octagon – if you ignore his tournament win in the inaugural season of TUF – it’s safe to say that he definitely warrants a spot in the Hall’s Modern Wing.

Put simply, ‘The Nightmare’, who departed the promotion in 2022 following two straight defeats, could well be considered the most exciting fighter to watch in UFC history.

His wars with the likes of Nick Diaz, Karo Parisyan and Martin Kampmann still stand the test of time as true classics, while his bout with Gilbert Melendez was widely recognized as the best fight of 2013.

In fact, technically speaking, Sanchez is already in the Hall of Fame in a way; his crazy 2009 fight with Clay Guida was inducted into the Fight Wing in 2019.

Does Sanchez warrant a spot of his own, though? Absolutely. ‘The Nightmare’ was still competing near the top of the promotion 15 years after his initial victory on TUF, when the other fighters to graduate from his season were long gone.

More to the point, he competed in four different divisions during his time in the octagon, something that only a handful of other fighters can claim.

Overall, while Sanchez could never call himself a champion, he should definitely be considered a true legend and would definitely warrant an induction into the Hall of Fame.


#1. Anderson Silva – former UFC middleweight champion (Modern Wing)

Quite why Anderson Silva isn't already in the Hall of Fame is a mystery
Quite why Anderson Silva isn’t already in the Hall of Fame is a mystery

Given that he was once widely considered the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world and held the UFC middleweight title for a record-setting six-and-a-half years, quite why Anderson Silva has not yet been inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame is a mystery.

‘The Spider’ debuted in the octagon in 2006 with a win over Chris Leben, taking out ‘The Crippler’ in under a minute. That set him up for a shot at middleweight champion Rich Franklin and, despite coming in as an underdog, Silva destroyed ‘Ace’ to claim the gold. It set the trend for a truly remarkable career.

Silva reeled off win after win after win. He defeated every top contender in the 185-pound division, including Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort.

He even made a handful of forays up to 205 pounds, easily dispatching former light heavyweight kingpin Forrest Griffin in 2009.

That Forest Griffin KO never gets old.Anderson Silva at his best 🔥#UFCVegas12 | Saturday 9pm | BT Sport 1 HDhttps://t.co/NiS8DPslRW

By the time Silva was finally dethroned by Chris Weidman in 2013, he’d won 16 bouts in the octagon in a row, a record that, thus far, nobody has come close to beating.

Sure, ‘The Spider’ tested positive for banned substances in 2015 following his win over Nick Diaz and his career ended badly, with just one win in his final six bouts. However, that doesn’t take away from his accomplishments.

Put simply, for a time, there was no bigger star in MMA than Anderson Silva, and it’s a travesty that he hasn’t already been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, it’s something that will change soon.

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5 under-the-radar fighters who actually have great UFC records

The UFC’s roster is now a huge, sprawling list of over 600 fighters. Unsurprisingly, a number of them end up flying under the radar of the fans.

Right now, the UFC is home to a number of top-class fighters who are under the radar, but actually have surprisingly great octagon records.

Whether these fighters can find a way to break out as stars in 2023, or whether they continue to be unheralded, remains a question mark right now. However, it’s safe to say that in terms of their skills, they’re all well worth watching.

Here are five under-the-radar fighters who actually have great UFC records.


#5. Roman Dolidze – UFC record: 6-1

Roman Dolidze should find himself ranked in the UFC's middleweight division in the near future
Roman Dolidze should find himself ranked in the UFC’s middleweight division in the near future

This past weekend saw Georgian middleweight Roman Dolidze pick up his biggest UFC win to date, as he stopped longtime veteran Jack Hermansson via TKO in the second round.

Prior to the bout, which Dolidze took on late notice, Hermansson was ranked at No.8 in the division. Therefore, it’s likely that Dolidze may well end up rising into the top 15 at worse when the rankings are next updated.

However, while he’ll definitely come into view for many fans going into 2023, it’s arguable that the Georgian should already have garnered some notable hype even prior to the Hermansson bout.

After all, his current octagon record stands at a hugely impressive 6-1, with four of those wins finished via KO or TKO. More to the point, his single loss to Trevin Giles in March 2021 came under controversial circumstances. Many fans felt that Dolidze, who was making his debut at 185 pounds, deserved the nod from the judges.

Essentially, Dolidze is a classic example of an exciting fighter who has slowly climbed up the mountain in the UFC, taking on tougher opponents each time until it becomes impossible to ignore him. Judging by his current form, 2023 should see him finally become a known quantity to the fans.


#4. Damir Ismagulov – UFC record: 5-0

Damir Ismagulov has yet to lose a fight in the UFC
Damir Ismagulov has yet to lose a fight in the UFC

A glance at the UFC’s top-15 lightweights shows a number of the promotion’s biggest star names, from Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier to Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje and Conor McGregor.

However, one name in the rankings that might well go unnoticed is Damir Ismagulov. Currently ranked at No.12, it’s likely that many fans, particularly casual ones, wouldn’t be able to pick the Russian out of a line-up.

Despite this, Ismagulov has a remarkably strong octagon record of 5-0, compiled over the past four years. In fact, he hasn’t lost a bout in MMA overall since September 2015, giving him one of the lengthiest win streaks on the UFC’s roster.

So why aren’t more people talking about him? The likelihood is because Ismagulov has yet to finish an opponent inside the octagon.

Sure, it’s not like he’s been squashing overmatched foes; Guram Kutateladze and Thiago Moises are extremely tricky fighters. However, it’s harder for the promotion to market someone without at least one highlight-reel finish.

Despite this, Ismagulov clearly does have plenty of striking power – he hurt Kutateladze badly on the feet and has 12 pre-UFC knockouts to his name. So, if he can pick up his first finish in 2023, he should no longer fly under the radar for anyone.


#3. Chris Gutierrez – UFC record: 7-1-1

Chris Gutierrez may have a lot of momentum after ending the career of Frankie Edgar
Chris Gutierrez may have a lot of momentum after ending the career of Frankie Edgar

When former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar announced his plans to retire after one final fight last month, many fans were stunned that Chris Gutierrez was chosen as his last ever opponent.

After all, the promotion had always tended to use aging veterans to build up hot prospects on their way out, and yet Gutierrez was flying under the radar for most fans leading into the bout.

However, in reality, maybe ‘El Guapo’ should’ve garnered more hype. He came into his clash with Edgar with an outstanding octagon record of 6-1-1, with his only loss coming to Raoni Barcelos in his 2018 debut.

More to the point, two of his losses had come in violent fashion, including a spinning backfist finish of Danaa Batgerel. Many fans also felt he deserved the nod in his draw with Cody Durden, which saw him recover from a bad first round to take the final two stanzas.

Gutierrez was able to turn out the lights on Edgar’s octagon career last month, but given that ‘The Answer’ was already badly damaged prior to that fight, it seems that ‘El Guapo’ remains under the radar.

Chris Gutierrez stops Frankie Edgar 😳A perfect knee up the middle ends this one early #UFC281 https://t.co/M5A0A1VKYq

If he can continue to win, particularly in the same entertaining fashion that he did against Edgar, that could well change in 2023.


#2. Grant Dawson – UFC record: 7-0-1

Grant Dawson is on a hugely impressive winning streak
Grant Dawson is on a hugely impressive winning streak

Usually, any fighter able to put together an unbeaten UFC record over the course of eight fights would garner plenty of hype, particularly if they’d been able to finish five of their seven wins.

However, that hasn’t been the case for Grant Dawson, who not only remains under the radar with the fans, but also seemingly with the promotion itself. Despite his outstanding record, ‘KGD’ remains unranked.

Why is this? The likely explanation is that Dawson has floated between weight classes during his run with the UFC, with his first three wins coming at 145 pounds and his fourth coming at a 150-pound catchweight.

Since early 2021, Dawson has fought exclusively as a lightweight, although he did miss weight for his recent late-notice bout with Mark Madsen. Given that none of his four victims at 155 pounds were ranked prior to their fights with him, it makes sense that ‘KGD’ hasn’t cracked the top 15 yet.

Despite this, it’s clear that Dawson is ready for a run at the elite. Prior to their bout, Madsen was a 12-0 hot prospect who looked set for a push towards the top, and so it’s only fair that ‘KGD’ now gets that opportunity.

He might not be the most charismatic fighter on the roster, but Dawson is certainly legit, and so hopefully, 2023 will give him a chance to prove that against the best in the world.


#1. Belal Muhammad – UFC record: 13-3-1

Belal Muhammad is too good to fly under the radar for much longer
Belal Muhammad is too good to fly under the radar for much longer

Most fighters who crack the UFC’s top 10 in their weight class can no longer be seen to be flying under the radar, but somehow, it still feels like welterweight contender Belal Muhammad is being unfairly ignored.

‘Remember the Name’ has a remarkably strong octagon record of 13-3-1, he hasn’t lost a fight since January 2019, and he’s coming off a brutal knockout finish of a highly-touted prospect in Sean Brady.

Despite this, many fans just don’t mention him in terms of possible title contenders at 170 pounds, preferring to discuss the likes of Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns.

To say that it’s tricky to understand would be an understatement. With wins over Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia on his ledger alongside that win over Brady, Muhammad’s record stacks up against any other welterweight in the promotion.

More interestingly, it’s not like Muhammad isn’t charismatic, either. In fact, he’s arguably one of the better microphone workers in the division.

Basically, it feels like he simply can’t go ignored for much longer – and one more big win in 2023 could push him over the edge towards stardom.

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