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5 of the most underrated fighters of all time

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5 of the most underrated fighters of all time

As a dedicated MMA fan with years of experience following and analyzing the sport, I firmly believe that there are several underrated fighters who have left indelible marks on the UFC’s rich history. These five fighters may not have received the same level of recognition as some of their more famous counterparts, but their contributions to the sport are nothing short of impressive.

For over three decades, the UFC has played host to the elite of mixed martial arts, with legends like Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre gracing its ranks and regularly making it into the greatest fighters of all time discussions. However, there are numerous other exceptional fighters whose talents have been overshadowed or even forgotten in the UFC’s storied history.

Five fighters in this list are often overlooked and underappreciated when it comes to discussions about great fighters throughout history. Although they might not have received the recognition they deserve from history or during their respective eras, these five warriors are certainly deserving of recognition for their impressive skills and achievements.

5. Lando Vannata

Vannata joined the UFC with an unbeaten record of 8-0 and faced Tony Ferguson, who was then ranked third in the UFC lightweight division. With little preparation time, Vannata was considered a longshot against this elite fighter. Many thought he had virtually no chance of winning.

Surprisingly close to finishing Ferguson in the opening round, Vannata impressed many with his fierce fighting spirit. Although he eventually lost via submission in the second round, this unforgettable “Fight of the Night” performance left a lasting impression on fans worldwide.

In addition to his impressive UFC debut, Vannata holds a record of 12 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws. His distinctive and thrilling stand-up fighting style sets him apart from other fighters. Although it’s doubtful that Vannata will contend for or secure a UFC championship, he has received four “Fight of the Night” accolades and is renowned for one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history – his wheel kick KO against John Makdessi at UFC 206.

4. Jay Hieron

Hieron made an appearance in Conor McGregor’s first movie, “Road House,” but some fans might be unaware of his substantial background in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Although Hieron had a winless record in the UFC with a score of 0-4, he achieved great victories in various other MMA organizations such as Bellator and Strikeforce.

At a record of 23 wins and 7 losses, Hieron has left an indelible mark in the UFC. He has defeated notable opponents Jake Ellenberger and Pat Healy in past bouts. Hieron’s accomplishments are linked to that of Georges St-Pierre, who faced Matt Hughes for the UFC welterweight title shortly after defeating Hieron at UFC 48.

Towards the end of his impressive winning streak of ten fights between November 2007 and May 2011, Hieron came very close to claiming the Bellator welterweight championship against an previously unbeaten Ben Askren in October 2011. However, he ultimately fell short with a narrow split decision loss.

Hieron, who retired from professional MMA more than a decade ago, boasts an impressive record of 30 fights, most of which ended in victories. Despite this accomplishment, he is often overlooked and undervalued among the greatest fighters in MMA history.

3. Gunnar Nelson

Nelson is widely recognized for being one of Conor McGregor’s primary training partners and teammates during McGregor’s successful UFC tenure as a two-weight champion. Nevertheless, Nelson’s formidable fighting abilities within the Octagon are often underestimated and deserve greater recognition in MMA history.

Nelson currently boasts a record of 19 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, and has won his last two bouts in a row. Despite being less active in the UFC over the past couple of years with just two fights since early 2020, Nelson manages to keep his high level of ability intact.

Nelson boasts an impressive list of victories, yet what truly sets him apart is his history against elite opponents. Although he hasn’t secured a win against notables like Demian Maia, Leon Edwards, and Gilbert Burns, he has held his own in every encounter, with each defeat coming by narrow decision.

In March 2019, Nelson faced off against current UFC welterweight champion Edwards, resulting in a controversial split decision defeat for Nelson. Despite this loss, Nelson’s past performances demonstrate his ability to hold his own against elite fighters. Although some may be uncertain about his abilities, Nelson is often overlooked as one of the most undervalued fighters within the UFC.

2. Gregor Gillespie

Gillespie, who last stepped into the Octagon three years ago, remains an active fighter on the UFC’s roster. He continues to undergo drug testing as part of the UFC’s anti-doping program, having completed two tests in 2024.

Gillespie is currently 37 years old with a professional mixed martial arts record of 14 wins and only 1 loss. Although he gained notoriety for his knockout defeat to Kevin Lee during UFC 244 in November 2019, his impressive accolades extend far beyond this pivotal moment in his career.

Among his total of 14 victories, 12 have been impressive knockouts or submissions. Notably, he has defeated UFC veterans like Diego Ferreira, Yancy Medeiros, and Vinc Pichel. Moreover, Gillespie boasts an impressive collegiate wrestling background, having won the NCAA division 1 national championship in 2007, along with numerous other accolades throughout his distinguished career.

1. Jimmie Rivera

Rivera lost his final MMA bout against Munhoz in February 2021. Since then, he has shifted to bare knuckle boxing and holds a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Prior to joining BKFC, Rivera was making waves as an up-and-coming fighter in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

After suffering his second defeat in his professional career to drop to 1-1, Rivera then went on an impressive winning streak of 20 fights. During this streak, he claimed victories in the UFC against Iuri Alcântara, Urijah Faber, Thomas Almeida, and Munhoz.

Among the 23 fights in his career, about 74% resulted in decisions rather than knockouts or submissions. This may be why he didn’t become a major draw as a bantamweight contender. However, his skills within the Octagon ranked among the elite for fighters competing at 135 pounds.

In the UFC’s bantamweight category, Rivera’s tenure was eclipsed by the high-profile rivalry between Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw, as well as other prominent fighters such as Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz. These contenders each earned a shot at the title at least once. Despite not making it to the very summit of the bantamweight division, Rivera enjoyed a remarkable career and departed from the UFC with an outstanding fight of the night performance.

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2024-07-17 04:13

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