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With the recent bruhaha regarding the criteria for giving title shots to contenders (i.e., McGregor and Machida), I thought it would be nice to revisit the instances when Champions fought "undeserving" contenders and even the times when those contenders proved us wrong:
1. Anderson Silva v. Rich Franklin (C)
UFC 64
Silva just arrived in the UFC and beat Chris Leben. He was on a two-fight winning streak after losing to Yushin Okami at Rumble on the Rock (albeit by DQ). He only fought once in the UFC and then got a title shot.
Win Streak: 2
Result: Massive beatdown of Rich Franklin and the start of what is considered as one of the greatest runs in UFC History.
2. Brock Lesnar v. Randy Couture (C)
UFC 91
Brock was 2-1 in his MMA career. Got tapped by Frank Mir but then beat Heath Herring to earn a title shot.
Win Streak: 1
Result: Brock won the title and even managed to defend it twice.
3. Demian Maia v. Anderson Silva (C)
UFC 112
Demian Maia got knocked out cold by Nate Marquardt in one punch. But he earned the title shot by decisioning Dan Miller.
Win Streak: 1
Result: Anderson Silva basically just clowned around.
4. Chan Sung Jung v. Jose Aldo (C)
UFC 163
Korean Zombie was on a three fight winning streak after getting his head knocked clean off by George Roop. His wins were against Leonard Garcia (who isn't exactly a worldbeater), Mark Hominick (who just lost to Jose Aldo), and Dustin Poirier.
Admittedly, he beat Hominick in 7 seconds with an unexpected KO while Aldo v. Hominick went to a decision.
Result: Aldo kicked the shit out his arm, broke it, then TKO'd him.
1. Anderson Silva v. Rich Franklin (C)
UFC 64
Silva just arrived in the UFC and beat Chris Leben. He was on a two-fight winning streak after losing to Yushin Okami at Rumble on the Rock (albeit by DQ). He only fought once in the UFC and then got a title shot.
Win Streak: 2
Result: Massive beatdown of Rich Franklin and the start of what is considered as one of the greatest runs in UFC History.
2. Brock Lesnar v. Randy Couture (C)
UFC 91
Brock was 2-1 in his MMA career. Got tapped by Frank Mir but then beat Heath Herring to earn a title shot.
Win Streak: 1
Result: Brock won the title and even managed to defend it twice.
3. Demian Maia v. Anderson Silva (C)
UFC 112
Demian Maia got knocked out cold by Nate Marquardt in one punch. But he earned the title shot by decisioning Dan Miller.
Win Streak: 1
Result: Anderson Silva basically just clowned around.
4. Chan Sung Jung v. Jose Aldo (C)
UFC 163
Korean Zombie was on a three fight winning streak after getting his head knocked clean off by George Roop. His wins were against Leonard Garcia (who isn't exactly a worldbeater), Mark Hominick (who just lost to Jose Aldo), and Dustin Poirier.
Admittedly, he beat Hominick in 7 seconds with an unexpected KO while Aldo v. Hominick went to a decision.
Result: Aldo kicked the shit out his arm, broke it, then TKO'd him.