Any fighters with a redemption story?

Ogata

Ogata

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Was there ever a fighter who was hated or was a failure but they turned things around and they were able to reach a new levels of success and popularity?
 
Ogata said:
Was there ever a fighter who was hated or was a failure but they turned things around and they were able to reach a new levels of success and popularity?
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Khabib was pretty hated before the Conor fight. Now he's the second biggest star in the sport.
 
Bob Marley used to be a scrappy young man on the streets of Trenchtown, JA, and thus, earned his nickname "Tuff Gong". There are actually some interesting stories of him on tour with other bands. Suffice it to say he did NOT scare easily from other human beings (or of the threat of death, as his life path and actions show, much less the threat of a scrap) and considered his personal respect and respect of his safety and personal space to be of paramount importance.

Anyway, he had a great song "Redemption Song" which highlighted that songs of freedom was all he ever had.

I think this fits. As Chael would say here "You're Welcome".
 
Daelh said:
Khabib was pretty hated before the Conor fight. Now he's the second biggest star in the sport.
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Why was Khabib hated??!? Why don't I remember this?? I know Conor fans hated him but who else??
 
Ogata said:
Was there ever a fighter who was hated or was a failure but they turned things around and they were able to reach a new levels of success and popularity?
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Mike Tyson for sure
Bisping, as someone said
TWood - went from hated for whining, to respected and appreciated for skills, to being more of a laughing stock for backing up and singing and rapping
Izzy - ppl didn't like his antics or demeanor but eventually had to give him what he earned - respect
Cyborg was hated as an alleged cheat but came to the UFC and seemed to be accepted by the fans

But I'm still sticking with Bob Marley overall.
 
mudrubble said:
Why was Khabib hated??!? Why don't I remember this?? I know Conor fans hated him but who else??
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He wasn't universally hated maybe but he's Muslim, a wrestler, Russian, called out Conor and Conor has the most fans. + the incidents with Lobov, UFC 229 and winning the title against Iaquinta. He was pretty much one of the most disliked fighters in early 2018.
 
Daelh said:
He wasn't universally hated maybe but he's Muslim, a wrestler, Russian, called out Conor and Conor has the most fans. + the incidents with Lobov, UFC 229 and winning the title against Iaquinta. He was pretty much one of the most disliked fighters in early 2018.
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Really, eh? I was around for all of that and never caught wind of it other than Conor "fans", but they didn't even really count because most of them weren't MMA fans at the time and had no clue what the sport was even about tbh. But you sound like you noticed this at the time even if I didn't. Fair enough.
 
mudrubble said:
Really, eh? I was around for all of that and never caught wind of it other than Conor "fans", but they didn't even really count because most of them weren't MMA fans at the time and had no clue what the sport was even about tbh. But you sound like you noticed this at the time even if I didn't. Fair enough.
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Yeah I'm not sure. Maybe Conor fans was just loudest and most noticeable. I've also seen a fair share of people discredit Khabibs resume at the time for lack of wrestlers or ranked opponents or boring style.
 
I think Charles Oliveira fits the bill here. He wasn't hated, but he was considered a guy who always crumbled and lost against good competition. He was basically written off as a guy without the heart and mentality required to be an elite fighter. Then out of nowhere he goes on this crazy 8 fight win streak including a dominant win over Tony Ferguson and now he's widely considered as one of (if not THE) best 155er in the world with Khabib retired.
 
Bisping: from getting k.o.ed by Henderson to k.o. Rockhold and win the belt in the process
 
Clay Guida's whole career is a roller coaster of being loved and hated by the fans, getting top wins and losing to random people. He could have an amazing performance and a dreadful fight in the same calendar year. The Maynard fight still haunts me.
 
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