Who was the fighter that surprised you the most with his career?

[JustOnce]

For me, Matt Brown.

Followed him from TUF days. I think the last TUF show that I've watched. I never thought he had anything special, and that he was just going to be a journeyman that he was prior to the show. I mean he was 7-5 at REGIONAL level. You don't usually make it to the UFC with that, let alone make a good career out of it.

And that's what he did. I was shocked that he beat Wonderboy, but he beat him fair and square. He had 14 year run in the UFC, as tough as they come.

Was he an elite fighter? No. But he was game, and he had a hell of a career, while fighting whos who in his weight class.

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

Jan Blachowicz and Brandon Moreno are up there

After starting his UFC career at an uninspiring 2-4, he looked more like the victim of roster cutting than future champ. Brandon was even cut by the UFC and now he's also a champ

Ps I'm also surprised that Erick Silva hasn't become a two division champ yet. I guess I need to be patient and give the young prospect more time to develop

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Brandon Moreno. Last pick on TUF. Kicked out of the UFC. Fought his way back into the company. Barely earns a draw against a dominant champion thanks to a DQ. Dominates in the rematch to become the first Mexican Born UFC Champion.

 

[JustOnce]

Jan Blachowicz and Brandon Moreno are up there

After starting his UFC career at an uninspiring 2-4, he looked more like the victim of roster cutting than future champ. Brandon was even cut by the UFC and now he's also a champ

Ps I'm also surprised that Erick Silva hasn't become a two division champ yet. I guess I need to be patient and give the young prospect more time to develop

Eric just needs more time imo.

Amosov was little too much for Young Eric

 

[JustOnce]

Brandon Moreno. Last pick on TUF. Kicked out of the UFC. Fought his way back into the company. Barely earns a draw against a dominant champion thanks to a DQ. Dominates in the rematch to become the first Mexican Born UFC Champion.

View attachment 870131

Why was he kicked out of the UFC? I didn't know he was the last pick on TUF.

 

[TARTARA]

Fedor Emelianenko
Alexander Emelianenko

 

[BoD 2.0]

Robbie Lawler

 

[sdpdude9]

Feel I should clarify something because I feel like it’s a bit misleading. A lot has been made of Moreno being cut as part of his redemption story. But it wasn’t really due to his performance. Yes, he was on a 2 fight losing streak but this was when the UFC was dismantling the division and that’s why he was cut.

 

[felmmando]

Rafael Dos Anjos comes to mind; it would have been very hard to predict much in advance what he'd accomplish.

 

[JimmyKey v1.6]

Honestly masvidal, dude looked like trash way back in the day against rodrigo damm. I could never have predicted he’d still be in the ring at a high level like 15 years later.

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Why was he kicked out of the UFC? I didn't know he was the last pick on TUF.

He lost two in a row bur more importantly the UFC were getting rid of the Flyweight division. So everyone who lost a fight was getting tossed out.

But the UFC changed their minds and Moreno went on to win the LFA Flyweight title so they brought him back.





As for TUF, one year the UFC picked up a bunch of FLW champions from around the world to make the TUF cast. They billed that season as the tournament champions. It was a gimmick to find worthy contenders of DJ to fight. Moreno was the Combate FLW champion abs the last pick on the show

 

[Lights Out 101]

Charlie Olives. Still blows my mind that he’s champ in 2021.

 

[Ackmed]

Dan Hooker.

It surprised me most how he went from being so cocky just 9 months ago



To now practically begging for any opponent

 

[GoodBadHBK]

Thug Rose

 

[JustOnce]

He lost two in a row bur more importantly the UFC were getting rid of the Flyweight division. So everyone who lost a fight was getting tossed out.

But the UFC changed their minds and Moreno went on to win the LFA Flyweight title so they brought him back.

View attachment 870135



As for TUF, one year the UFC picked up a bunch of FLW champions from around the world to make the TUF cast. They billed that season as the tournament champions. It was a gimmick to find worthy contenders of DJ to fight. Moreno was the Combate FLW champion abs the last pick on the show
View attachment 870134

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

yeah gotta thank Cejudo for that I guess then haha

I vaguely remember something about that tuf lol

wait Tim Elliot won that TUF? lmao...

 

[Shoguns Prodigy**]

For me, Matt Brown.

Followed him from TUF days. I think the last TUF show that I've watched. I never thought he had anything special, and that he was just going to be a journeyman that he was prior to the show. I mean he was 7-5 at REGIONAL level. You don't usually make it to the UFC with that, let alone make a good career out of it.

And that's what he did. I was shocked that he beat Wonderboy, but he beat him fair and square. He had 14 year run in the UFC, as tough as they come.

Was he an elite fighter? No. But he was game, and he had a hell of a career, while fighting whos who in his weight class.

This was my answer. But I disagree he was a elite fighter at his peak, he went toe to toe with peak Lawler before he became champ, if he won that fight he would of fought for the title instead of Lawler.

 

[smooth assassin]

I didn’t see Stipe ever bring the champ, let alone longest reigning heavyweight champ in ufc history
Much respect to him

 

[JustOnce]

This was my answer. But I disagree he was a elite fighter at his peak, he went toe to toe with peak Lawler before he became champ, if he won that fight he would of fought for the title instead of Lawler.

I consider Lawler a journeyman so.
Never thought much of him.
Robbed Hendricks blind too.

 

[JustOnce]

I didn’t see Stipe ever bring the champ, let alone longest reigning heavyweight champ in ufc history

Yeah who knew right? Got destroyed by Struve of all people..

 

[Dude Incredible]

Brandon Moreno. Last pick on TUF. Kicked out of the UFC. Fought his way back into the company. Barely earns a draw against a dominant champion thanks to a DQ. Dominates in the rematch to become the first Mexican Born UFC Champion.

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Robbie Lawler

Definitely these 2...

So no 'her careers' huh? ok. I'll also throw DC in. Starts MMA at 30, basically is a "who the fook is this guy" comes in as alternate in SF HW tournament. Smashes. And then has a legendary run in UFC until age 40-41. I'd probably put Yoel here too if he'd won a title.