4 UFC fighters who will definitely be inactive in 2024
As a gamer who’s been following MMA for years, I can tell you that 2023 has been quite a rollercoaster ride for fight fans like myself. The UFC has brought us some electrifying performances from top-tier fighters such as Michael Chandler, Shavkat Rakhmanov, Jiří Procházka, and Conor McGregor – the names that make our pulse race!
2023 has been a successful year for UFC, delivering thrilling fights featuring well-known athletes displaying impressive skills, grit, and captivating personas. Notable fighters such as Michael Chandler, Shavkat Rakhmanov, Jiří Procházka, and Conor McGregor have consistently delivered electrifying performances that fight enthusiasts adore. However, there are some fighters who are fan favorites but lack the activity required to truly shine. Unfortunately, a few of these athletes may not be active for the remainder of 2024, as will be discussed below.
1. Josh Emmett
7th-ranked Josh Emmett, hailing from a college wrestling background, is renowned for being the most powerful striker in the featherweight division. A single well-placed strike could potentially end a match at any instant, leaving even seasoned fighters reeling. In March 2019, down by two rounds against Johnson, Emmett turned the tables with just one punch as time was running out. At UFC 296, Emmett, then 38 and recovering from two consecutive defeats, faced a younger opponent in Bryce Mitchell who had more wins under his belt. However, Emmett rescued his career by delivering one of the most terrifying knockouts ever, with a single punch, in the first round itself.
Emmett is always entertaining, as fight fans seem to always enjoy his performances, whether he wins or loses. After one of the best knockouts of 2023, everyone was wondering what Emmett would pursue next. He has not been active in 2024 at all and rumor has it, he has been dealing with injuries. It does not look like he will be active in 2024 given how he is barely transparent on social media about his inactivity. Whoever he decides to pursue in 2025 will be intriguing to see.
2. Colby Covington
5th-ranked UFC contender Colby Covington has consistently been known for his boisterous persona. His talkative nature and unabashed backing of Donald Trump are matched by a fighting style that emphasizes wrestling, pressure tactics, cardio, and a high volume of striking. Despite receiving acclaim for challenging fights with Kamaru Usman, the previous welterweight champion, Covington is infamous for not having victories against top-five competitors at their peak. Instead, he excels in beating opponents who are past their prime and talks loudly enough to secure his title opportunities. His most notable achievements include defeating underperforming fighters Tyron Woodley (in a state of decline) and Jorge Masvidal (also struggling) for his second and third title shots respectively. After a nearly two-year hiatus following the Masvidal victory, Covington secured another title shot against Leon Edwards at UFC 296.
Prior to his title match with Edwards, Covington was boasting about how he’d deliver a top-notch performance, but his actions didn’t meet his words. In fact, he spent most of the fight on the defensive and the bout turned out to be one of the most dull title fights ever. Covington attributed a broken foot as the reason for his poor performance, which was ironic since Usman had claimed victory with a fractured foot over Woodley before him. After that match, Covington declared he was unscathed and eager to get back in the ring soon, but follow-up actions suggested otherwise, as he didn’t fight at all in 2024. With his preferred opponents either injured or occupied, it’s highly doubtful that we’ll see Covington active in 2024.
3. Michael Chandler
6th ranked lightweight contender Michael Chandler was a thrilling titleholder in Bellator and one of UFC’s most sought-after acquisitions. Upon joining UFC, Chandler aimed to become champion and deliver epic battles against UFC greats. After defeating Dan Hooker in the first round of his UFC debut, Chandler challenged for the vacant lightweight title following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s formal retirement, but lost to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 via second-round knockout. Despite a unanimous decision loss at UFC 268, he engaged in one of the greatest fights ever against Justin Gaethje. Chandler then rebounded by claiming Knockout of the Year at UFC 274, where he became the first to knock out Tony Ferguson since May 2022. In his post-match interview, he issued a legendary challenge for a rematch with Conor McGregor.
1) McGregor showed interest initially, but he hadn’t fully recovered from a leg injury, making it impossible for him to participate in UFC matches in 2022. Instead, Chandler engaged in another battle at UFC 281 against Dustin Poirier, with Poirier claiming victory via third-round submission. Afterward, Chandler continued to push for a fight with McGregor, leading to their coaching roles on the Ultimate Fighter. However, they didn’t face off in 2023 due to limited space for fighters on pay-per-views and McGregor not being eligible for USADA testing for six months. The two were finally scheduled to fight at UFC 303 during International Fight Week, but McGregor had to withdraw due to a broken toe. Despite this setback, Chandler remains determined to face McGregor in 2024 and will not accept any other fights that year.
4. Conor McGregor
The most prominent figure on this roster is the martial artist who significantly contributed to the UFC’s rise in popularity thanks to his charismatic appeal. Known for his witty banter, McGregor’s fights garnered record-breaking pay-per-view sales. In his prime, he made history as the first UFC champion across two weight classes at featherweight and lightweight. He then ventured into boxing, participating in one of the biggest boxing matches ever against Floyd Mayweather, although he lost, many were impressed by his high-caliber performance. Following this bout, McGregor took a break from active MMA competition. His recent matches include a loss to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, a win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, and another loss to Poirier at UFC 257.
In later stages of his career, McGregor only fought once a year. Following a surprising defeat against Poirier in their re-match, they were scheduled for a trilogy at UFC 257 during International Fight Week. The contest was closely contested until McGregor sustained an ankle injury in the closing moments of the first round. If he makes a comeback in early 2025, it will mark his longest absence from MMA competition, spanning nearly three and a half years. His return has faced multiple setbacks due to various reasons, with hopes that things work out appropriately next time.
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2024-09-03 23:15