UFC Rocky movies

[Koro_11]

There have been plenty of upsets in the past, but I'm not talking about Serra landing a fluke punch on GSP, or Bisping doing it to Rockhold, only to get their ass handed to them in their next fights and go back to being jobbers. I'm also not talking about guys like Cejudo or Ngannou who lost their attempts at the title, then came back to won it, those guys were always considered contenders and top tier fighters.

I'm talking about guys who looked like career journeymen clearly upping their game and going all the way to the top, and not by some freak circumstance or puncher's chance, but by thoroughly showing they're a different fighter.

You got Jan Blachowich at 205 who is probably favorite now to make his second title defense. You got Charlie Do Bronx who looks like a very convincing champ at 155. And now there's little Brandon Moreno, a dude who left the UFC on a losing skid, then came back and could only manage a draw in his return fight, then just a year later he's dethroning a champ who was looking like he was gonna bully the entire division without much trouble.

I guess you could include Dustin Poirier in this to some extent, although I think I always considered him as a notch above a typical journeyman even at the low points of his career, but the way he has reinvented himself is impressive as well.

It's impressive to see dominance and win streaks like with Khabib, Usman or Jones, but personally I love a Rocky story. A guy who was counted out and at a crossroads, and just went to that place in their mind where they could extract the best of themselves to be reinvented and overcome the Goliath. The American Dream.

ADRIAAAAAAANNNNNNN

 

[drbolony]

I think it's epic everytime Izzy clowns on these guys who have him figured out.

 

[D'z]

I'm from Philly and have a Rocky tattoo, and I support this thread.


The obvious choice is Nate.

 

[Megatronlee]

Don’t ruin rocky with Mma post zuffa trash

 

[BobblyStruggles]

Since you included someone DP, I would say Robert Whittaker who has a similar journey to gold.
Dude was on a 2 fight skid in the UFC against Court McGee and Wonderboy. He was getting dropped and stunned constantly at 170.
He goes up to 185 and beats a murderers row on an 8 fight winstreak to earn his UFC title.

 

[drbolony]

Since you included someone DP, I would say Robert Whittaker who has a similar journey to gold.
Dude was on a 2 fight skid in the UFC against Court McGee and Wonderboy. He was getting dropped and stunned constantly at 170.
He goes up to 185 and beats a murderers row on an 8 fight winstreak to earn his UFC title.

Whittaker fought everyone and continues to till this day. That dudes a fucking champion, no belt needed.

 

[BobblyStruggles]

I almost forgot my boy RDA. His first few years in the UFC were pretty bad with a record of 4-4(including two TKO/KO losses) in the promotion.

Outta nowhere he goes on an insane run of 10-1(only losing to Khabib) to earn UFC gold and defending it. Some of the names in that run he beat are Cowboy x2, Bendo, Jason High and Pettis.

 

[Koro_11]

I almost forgot my boy RDA. His first few years in the UFC were pretty bad with a record of 4-4(including two TKO/KO losses) in the promotion.

Outta nowhere he goes on an insane run of 10-1(only losing to Khabib) to earn UFC gold and defending it. Some of the names in that run he beat are Cowboy x2, Bendo, Jason High and Pettis.

Yes, how could I forget Rafa, another great example. Also Robbie Lawler.

 

[BobblyStruggles]

Yes, how could I forget Rafa, another great example. Also Robbie Lawler.

Robbie probably had one of the most entertaining title reigns in the UFC, truly a legend of the sport.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

There have been plenty of upsets in the past, but I'm not talking about Serra landing a fluke punch on GSP, or Bisping doing it to Rockhold, only to get their ass handed to them in their next fights and go back to being jobbers. I'm also not talking about guys like Cejudo or Ngannou who lost their attempts at the title, then came back to won it, those guys were always considered contenders and top tier fighters.

I'm talking about guys who looked like career journeymen clearly upping their game and going all the way to the top, and not by some freak circumstance or puncher's chance, but by thoroughly showing they're a different fighter.

You got Jan Blachowich at 205 who is probably favorite now to make his second title defense. You got Charlie Do Bronx who looks like a very convincing champ at 155. And now there's little Brandon Moreno, a dude who left the UFC on a losing skid, then came back and could only manage a draw in his return fight, then just a year later he's dethroning a champ who was looking like he was gonna bully the entire division without much trouble.

I guess you could include Dustin Poirier in this to some extent, although I think I always considered him as a notch above a typical journeyman even at the low points of his career, but the way he has reinvented himself is impressive as well.

It's impressive to see dominance and win streaks like with Khabib, Usman or Jones, but personally I love a Rocky story. A guy who was counted out and at a crossroads, and just went to that place in their mind where they could extract the best of themselves to be reinvented and overcome the Goliath. The American Dream.

ADRIAAAAAAANNNNNNN

Those are good examples.....I would say in the UFC it's more likely you find "Reverse Rocky's". What is a Reverse Rocky? Guys that are champions and end their careers getting KO'd multiple times and tarnishing or destroying their legacy. Guys like BJ and Chuck come to mind. Then there are the next tier like Rockhold or Weidman. Tony Ferguson seems on the way to the 'Reverse Rocky'. The guys you mentioned are great examples. Jan, Oliveira and Moreno. Moreno was last pick on TUF and lost in first round of the tourney.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Yes, how could I forget Rafa, another great example. Also Robbie Lawler.

When I think of fighters who seemed destined to be career journeymen that completely turned the script, Halfael Dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler are first to come to mind... honorable mention to Jan and Bisping who were always fringe elite, but earned their Champion status the hard way.

 

[CannotWin]

Anytime anyone mentions Rocky and MMA, I feel like Frankie Edgar needs to be in there. Not for the Rocky career, but for sure for his Rocky fights with Maynard.

 

[SecondToNone]

Jan is the Rocky story. Goes from looking like a washout to going on a winning streak including the Manuwa banger, then gets KTFO, then has a snoozer against Jacare, then boom. Rockhold KTFO, avenges a loss by KTFO Anderson, KTFO Reyes who many considered the real champ.

Then, in a fight where it seemed everyone was betting on the younger guy, big star with big hype to beat him, he outclasses the "most sophisticated striker in UFC" on the feet before crushing him on the ground to win 49-44.

A win over old man Glover, wildman Jiri and fatboy Jon and Jan becomes the GOAT

 

[frederick]

Anytime anyone mentions Rocky and MMA, I feel like Frankie Edgar needs to be in there. Not for the Rocky career, but for sure for his Rocky fights with Maynard.

I'm still in awe of this uppercut and Frankie's ability to eat it.

 

[TheTickG]

I think Rocky movies took from at least a few things in real life.

Original Rocky was inspired by Ali vs. Chuck Wepner
Hogan in Rocky 3 was kind of like Chuck Wepner vs. Andre
Rocky vs. Clubber Lang was kind of like Leonard vs. Duran I and II.


Maybe you can take a few UFC fighters to create the series as one person.