Biggest Overachievers in UFC history

Tweak896 said:
Something about these threads really makes me hate how Griffin is always labeled an overachiever. He beat Rampage and Shogun back to back and was winning the first 2 rounds against Rashad. I'm not saying Forrest is the greatest LHW ever, but had pretty good skillset. He fell off afterwards, but lots of champs just lose after the belt, he went 3-2 after, and supposedly had tons of injuries and addiction problems which kept him out.

-One of the biggest LHW's pre Jones
-Cardio more than everyone at the time, I can't think of a LHW with better cardio
-Good kicks, striking good enough to stand with Rampage, just not enough for Silva.
-Never submitted, and good enough to sub Shogun or Chael on an off night.
-Chin sometimes can go haywire, but dude was able to go through wars and had heart.
-Good enough TDD to defend against Tito more than not

I'm just saying DDP is just as much as an "overachiever", but I wouldn't consider him that. Actually besides when UFC started out, I think all the UFC male champs are pretty solid.

Now WMMA on the other hand you have some really terrible champs.... Pena, Montano, and Pennington. But even those were just a reflection of a weak competition pool.
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I get what you're saying, but you're also describing why people call him an overachiever.
-Good kicks, striking good enough to stand with Rampage, just not enough for Silva.
-Never submitted, and good enough to sub Shogun or Chael on an off night.
-Good enough TDD to defend against Tito more than not
-Chin sometimes can go haywire, but dude was able to go through wars and had heart.

Basically, he's a competent fighter but nothing about him says he would go on to become a world champion, or beat the likes of Rampage, Shogun or even Rich Franklin
 
Du Plessis has to be up there, guy is literally known for consistently goofing his way to a victory. Started his UFC career with some really rocky performances but ended up being a defending champ with wins against 2 ATG middleweights in Izzy + Rob.

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Dr. Rose said:
I was thinking him or Dave Menne (although people will say look at his record outside the UFC, but all on the regional circuits and his big wins are Carlos Newton and...Shonie Carter, smh).
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Keep in mind the timeframe of his career. He beat Dennis Hallman and Pele when they were only guys to beat Matt Hughes prior to the UFC. Also beat Chris Lytle. He had noteworthy wins when they occured, but today, they don't mean as much
 
Weird idea, but Paddy might become a leading overachiever if he captures the belt. After all, a lot of people still think he sucks.

As for actualized overachievers, Leon Edwards deserves to be in there.
 
Ghostoftheville said:
Keep in mind the timeframe of his career. He beat Dennis Hallman and Pele when they were only guys to beat Matt Hughes prior to the UFC. Also beat Chris Lytle. He had noteworthy wins when they occured, but today, they don't mean as much
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I am aware of the timeframe, even been to a few of his fights but he never seemed impressive to me. I did, however, forgot about Pele. With that said, still do not think he should other been fighting for a title. Other stronger fighters out there. I think he got the fight because he has been around for awhile and was the closest they could get in a "name" at the time. I still think it meets the criteria.
 
My picks are Bisping and Edgar.

Bisping especially had zero talent and athleticism. Not particularly strong or punches hard. Same for Edgar. But they found a way. And it was sustained success based solely on self belief.

At least Forrest had size and strength.
 
Subline said:
Du Plessis has to be up there, guy is literally known for consistently goofing his way to a victory. Started his UFC career with some really rocky performances but ended up being a defending champ with wins against 2 ATG middleweights in Izzy + Rob.

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I don't know what you mean by goofing. He outlasted and outstruck his competition. Thats conditioning and planning, not goofy luck.

Is Sean a better candidate for being the biggest overachiever? He loses to contenders and I never thought he would be champion after losing to Jared.
 
Aspinall. He's a one round fighter with no heart and managed to get gifted a title. Historically crumbles everytime he's put in a bad position, his record is 1-2 when the fight goes past the first round. He's an absolute putz
 
Limeade said:
I don't know what you mean by goofing. He outlasted and outstruck his competition. Thats conditioning and planning, not goofy luck.

Is Sean a better candidate for being the biggest overachiever? He loses to contenders and I never thought he would be champion after losing to Jared.
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He has a goofy-looking style and often does some hilarious shit in the cage. Just poking a bit of fun, obviously he is an elite fighter and a powerhouse in the division.

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Recently it has to be Tom Aspinall. The guy got a title shot off a win over Martin Tybura. His best win is against Alex Volkov. Yet people talk about him like he’s an all-time goat.
 
Derrick Lewis is up there imo.

Not the toughest by any stretch of imagination, nor is he exceptional in any area of MMA. He also doesn't train as hard as most fighters. Gameplan is always pretend BJJ is fake, knock the mfer out. Essentially the MMA equivalent of "bro I just clock in and clock out".

Yet he earned two title shots and makes more than a quarter million a fight. Dude is living the dream.
 
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