View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yisrHIlQ8js
Check out the video, below is essentially a breakdown of what you'll see on our video. What do you guys think? Who would you have on this list?
Number 11
NICK DIAZ
He was on essentially a 12 fight win streak after beating BJ Penn in his UFC return. If you ignore the ridiculous cut stoppage to KJ Noons in Elite XC and the overturned win over Takanori Gomi, thug life. which you should – he was on a 16 fight win streak at the time. You have to get him credit for that feat. Combine that with only decision losses to current or former champions and that’s why he makes the list. Not to mention is one of the most entertaining fighters – Where you at George?
Number 10
Michael Bisping
Being that he has never lost two fights in a row, you could easily take one of those losses away and see Bisping fighting for gold. He just always seems to be one fight short.
One thing thats for sure about Bisping, is you cant count him out. After losing to now-champ Luke Rockhold in 2014, Mike has gone 3-0, and recently defeated the Greatest of All Time candidate in Anderson Silva. A career-defining contest that stunned the MMA world. With the Middleweight Division having so few future contenders, there’s a good chance Mr. Bisping will finally get that title shot that has eluded him for the past decade.
Number 9.
NATE DIAZ
You might be surprised that this next fighter makes our list (“I’m not surprised m-f-ers). Yeah, neither are we. But seriously, his record definitely comes with some caveats. Nate hasn’t had the consistency of his brother in the sense that he can claim 12 or really 16 fight wins back-to-back, but you also can’t criticize his quality of opponents.
Let’s think about this, he’s beaten Joe Lauzon, Gray Maynard, Michael Johnson Cowboy Cerrone, and I’m not sure if you have heard about this, but he beat MCGREGOR – seriously, he just beat McGregor. We’ll take all the flack in the world for this if Conor McGregor goes back down and loses the title, but not long ago the masses all saw Conor fighting Lawler and maybe even winning. Call us crazy but that’s why we are putting Nate at 9.
Number 8.
Alistair Overeem
The guy just beat Junior Dos Santos and judging by that same body we just showed you..he STILL beat Junior. Before this, Junior had only lost to Cain and beat everyone else in a sound fashion. Don’t forget, he also beat the current Champion – Fabricio Werdum while in Strikeforce – WORST. STRATEGY. EVER.
But he also held the belt there for 4 years and was a K1 Grand Prix Kickboxing Champion. Not sure what K1 is? -See Cro Cop and Mark Hunt’s careers.
We can argue all day about the circumstances of his previous wins, but that doesn’t change the fact that he just beat the #1 contender and is the most decorated fighter in the UFC heavyweight division right now.
Number 7
Khabib Nurmagormedov
Khabib is a perfect 6-0 in the octagon, dominating every single fighter without losing a round. What’s really scary, is that list includes now-champ Rafael Dos Anjos, who looks like a monster in his own right.
No, what holds back Khabib is injuries. Khabib has fights booked, but they always fall through.
How often you ask? Since beating RDA in 2014, Khabib has pulled out of 3 straight fights with injuries. Twice against Donald Cerrone, and once with up-and-coming contender Tony Ferguson.
Any one of those fights would have most likely granted him a title shot, and a rematch against the champ who he already beat once. If Khabib stays healthy, there’s a good chance we’ll see this guy with gold eventually. Especially with him being so young.
Number 6.
Dan Henderson
Dan “the Dinosaur” Henderson….ok that’s not his nickname, so we made it up. This dude is OLD. Seriously, this guy’s first sparring partners were Cain and Abel. After surviving most every major war in history, Dan decided to train MMA after becoming an Olympian in Rassling.
Hendo quickly put together a string of impressive wins and eventually won belts in two different weight classes. Henderson almost has a story that’s too long to tell. partly because it started so damn long ago, but mostly because this guy has been in some seriously legendary fights.
Number 5.
John Dodson
He got a ton of attention for his explosive style and his heavy hands, winning the “Knockout of the Season”.
A natural flyweight, Dodson was fighting bigger men, but that didn’t stop him. John won the Ultimate Fighter tournament by Knocking out TJ Dillashaw in the finale. Even more impressive as Dillashaw later became the champion at that weight class
Twice he has tried, and unfortunately come up short both times vs Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson. Still, John has a long career ahead of him, and if he keeps it up, there’s a good chance we’ll see him fighting for gold within the next year or two.
Number 4.
Joseph Benavidez
He’s has fought for a UFC belt twice now, losing to Johnson by a decision and a knockout.
We can’t count that against him, as DJ is widely considered number 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings, and Joe’s only other pair of losses have come to Team Alpha Male rival Dominick Cruz back in the WEC days.
Regardless, Joe is always in the hunt for another crack at the title. Currently he’s on a 5 fight win streak, making denying him a title shot much more difficult if he keeps this up.
Number 3.
Donald Cerrone
Donald kicks some serious ass. He’s been in the UFC for 5 years, amassing a 29-7 record with 11 post-fight bonuses. The 4th most of all time. He’ll fight “anyone, anywhere, anytime” and he means it. He’s not afraid to talk trash and more often than not backs it up in the octagon.
However, Donald has never reached UFC gold. He’s 0-1 in title fights after losing to champion Hafael Dos Anjos this past December. he’s already won another fight since then and has another fight booked. Both at the weight class above his.
Belt or not, Cowboy brings it. And you can bet if he’s fighting, people are going to tune in.
Number 2.
Rory McDonald
The guy has destroyed others on this list including Nate Diaz – Ouch, wait really…. that many times? Okay.
He also beat Tyron Woodley.. a serious contender for the belt, Jake Ellenberger, BJ Penn, Demian Maia and literally everyone else the UFC has put in front of him.
He and GSP have been longtime training partners and it’s been predicted over and over again that he will win the title. 21 fights and 3 losses in one of the most stacked divisions is hard beat.
Number 1:
Urijah Faber
He’s only lost once outside of title fights, in a featherweight bout against an arguable pound for pound contender in Frankie Edgar. He’s knocked off multiple former challengers, including Brian Bowles and Michael McDonald. Win-or-lose he is always exciting.
What do you guys think? What would your list be?