Which good lesser known fighters were the most washed up by the time they got to the UFC?

[BigMuffler]

As the title suggests, name good fighters who were badly past prime/shot by the time they made it to the UFC and never got to show their talent. I'll start with a WMMA example that newer fans might not be aware of - Shayna Baszler was a good fighter back in the day and one of Cyborg's best wins (had arguably better wins than Gina), she had a win over Alexis Davis who would shortly go on to be a longtime top 5, a close fight with McMann and was actually competitive in the first round against Cyborg. By the time she got to the UFC however her legs were apparently so damaged she could no longer train cardio properly, so she ended up gassing in a round and crushed by Pena and even finished by Bethe who finishes almost no one, along with going down like she was shot from a leg kick by Nunes. Thus instead of being recognized as a once-good fighter who had declined, she came to be known by who didn't know about her before the UFC as just a trash talking loudmouth who couldn't back it up.

Obviously there are much more well known (although debated) examples like Crocop and Shogun, but who are some other less recognized fighters who got into the UFC too late?

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

melendez wasnt washed up but prob had the majority of his good fights before starting w the ufc

 

[IndyCovaHart]

Legend has it that Murko experienced food poisoning at a sushi bar in 2006 while celebrating his OWGP victory and proceeded to exit his prime effective immediately.

He was never the same again.

 

[faustian]

Diet Nog

 

[I WILL CUT YOU]

Heath Herring

 

[BigMuffler]

melendez wasnt washed up but prob had the majority of his good fights before starting w the ufc

I thought of that but he had competitive fights against top guys in the UFC so I didn't think he would be in the running for "most shot" XD

 

[Headkicktoleg]

pretty much every PRIDE fighter.

 

[souvlaki]

Hector Lombard came in a bit late

 

[giantveggie]

Wanderlei Silva

He went 31-7, and then went 5-4

Would have been worse if the PED's didn't stop him

/thread

 

[Readybodisready]

LOL @ mentioning Rua or Big Nog.

 

[Ez Eric]

Probably a lot of guys. Imagine training every day and fighting your way through a few amateur fights and then the regional circuit. By the time they get called to the big leagues I am sure a lot of these prospects are already worn out, dealing with nagging injuries and possibly slower and weaker than they used to be.

 

[bhp02]

ken was past his prime by UFC2

 

[SKITZADACTYL]

kid yamamoto

 

[Dick]

melendez wasnt washed up but prob had the majority of his good fights before starting w the ufc

Melendez started his career at 145. Unfortunately for him, 145'ers had no platform at the time so he moved up to 155. I always felt he should have returned to 145 once the big stage was there.

 

[Degen Gambler]

Kid Yamamoto

 

[BigMuffler]

kid yamamoto

Kid Yamamoto

Definitely a contender for this prestigious title.

 

[IndyCovaHart]

Insert virtually every Japanese fighter whom attempted to fight overseas.

That transcontinental jetlag is a beyotch.

 

[DaRealMVP]

Takanori Gomi.

 

[xx madskillz xx]

Some of the WEC,Strikeforce and Pride fighters...Brian Ebersole had like 60 fights before getting the UFC call.

 

[Kaybee]

Gomi
Kid Yamamoto
Cro Cop
Jessica Aguilar











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