Did anyone in MMA history stayed #1 contender in a division for as long as Benavidez did?

[SirKratos]

Dude is #1 contender since fucking 2009.... Almost 10 years without going up or down a single spot

#1 BW contender between 2009-2012

#1 FLW contender between 2012-now

Props to him for keeping himself motivated all this time. You'd think a fighter would lose some of that after losing twice to champions in 2 different divisions

 

[Your Account]

DC ?

 

[hedidhisownstunts]

More curiously did anyone stay the #1 contender as long as Benevidez while never even fighting the other long standing #1 contender Jon Dodson? How the hell have they never fought or even had the bout discussed?

 

[chitoortiz]

Fitch was but probably not that long.

 

[CrimsonFan]

They might aswell make a third fight with Mouse


I can't think of anyone else who has been ranked #2 that long. If it's even true.

 

[CrimsonFan]

Fitch was but probably not that long.

damn I forgot about him. Fitch seemed to be a clear #2 for a good couple years.

 

[iwhoopedbatman]

I feel sorry for Benavidez that he's so tiny. If 115 were a thing, he'd make it easily. He was a beast. I don't think he'll hold that spot much longer though. Hasn't looked the same since MM decked him in the rematch, despite the wins.

 

[Mattitude V1]

Dude is #1 contender since fucking 2009.... Almost 10 years without going up or down a single spot

#1 BW contender between 2009-2012

#1 FLW contender between 2012-now

Props to him for keeping himself motivated all this time. You'd think a fighter would lose some of that after losing twice to champions in 2 different divisions

He wasn't the #1 contender that entire time. He wasn't #1 when Barao was wrecking shit and Faber was strangling everyone etc.

 

[SirKratos]

DC ?

Funny, I don't think DC was the #1 contender at any point in his career. Dead serious

Up until First Jones fight:

Only beat Cummins and old Hendo at LHW. Can't be the #1 contender with those wins.

Between the first Jones suspension and first Rumble fight:

Rumble was the #1 contender

Between first Rumble fight and Jones rematch:

He was the champ.

 

[Mattitude V1]

I feel sorry for Benavidez that he's so tiny. If 115 were a thing, he'd make it easily. He was a beast. I don't think he'll hold that spot much longer though. Hasn't looked the same since MM decked him in the rematch.

He's married to fucking Megan Olivi. WTF do you feel sorry for him for? He's doing a job he enjoys, making good money, is a top guys in his weight class and is married to Olivi.

 

[SirKratos]

He wasn't the #1 contender that entire time. He wasn't #1 when Barao was wrecking shit and Faber was strangling everyone etc.

You have a point. Flyweight top contender since 2012 then

 

[iwhoopedbatman]

He's married to fucking Megan Olivi. WTF do you feel sorry for him for? He's doing a job he enjoys, making good money, is a top guys in his weight class and is married to Olivi.

I just think if he was a little bigger, he'd have won a title at 135 and/or 125. He gave Cruz more trouble than most did, despite an enormous size disadvantage.

 

[Roljo]

Funny, I don't think DC was the #1 contender at any point in his career. Dead serious

Up until First Jones fight:

Only beat Cummins and old Hendo at LHW. Can't be the #1 contender with those wins.

Between the first Jones suspension and first Rumble fight:

Rumble was the #1 contender

Between first Rumble fight and Jones rematch:

He was the champ.

When all said and done he will go down as a staying the longest as a paper champ for sure

 

[Typrune Goatley]

Big Nog was either the HW world champ or the 2nd best guy in the world for like 8 or 9 years.

Crazy run

 

[Merman]

2nd Nog!

 

[savemgs]

The Iceman Chuck Liddell Tito straight up running away from him for years.

 

[blaseblah]

More curiously did anyone stay the #1 contender as long as Benevidez while never even fighting the other long standing #1 contender Jon Dodson? How the hell have they never fought or even had the bout discussed?

They were saving Dodson for a second title shot and then he went up after losing

 

[Darwinambrosius]

Relative to the length that that her division has been around, gadelha deserves a mention.

 

[blaseblah]

He wasn't the #1 contender that entire time. He wasn't #1 when Barao was wrecking shit and Faber was strangling everyone etc.

Barao was never ranked ahead of him. He dropped to flyweight before Barao became champ. He was also ranked ahead of Faber.

www.mmamania.com/2011/12/2/2604894/ufc-rankings-mma-rankings-featured-in-usa-today-for-november-2011

 

[GBcrazy]

Chael was #1 in MW for quite some time