Top 5 UFC Fighters who never were Champions
Posted on July 26, 2010, 08:07 AM by Anton GurevichWith less than two weeks ahead of Anderson Silva's clash against Chael Sonnen, we take a closer look at the Top 5 UFC fighters who failed to become Champions. Sonnen would not like to add himself to that list, which includes some of the best fighters to ever step inside the Octagon. The Oregonian should notice that two of the fighters in this list were beaten by Anderson Silva, in their quest for the UFC Middleweight title:
1. Jon Fitch
When: UFC 87 Seek and Destroy, lost a Unanimous Decision to Georges St. Pierre
Jon Fitch is an incredible example of a fighter who defeated everyone, but one. American Kickboxing Academy was on an incredible 8-0 run in the UFC, before losing a Unanimous Decision to Georges St. Pierre in Montreal. Fitch was rocked and bloodied several times by St. Pierre, but still managed to hang on against the eternal Welterweight Champion. The Indiana native went on an impressive 4-0 run after UFC 87 and will rematch Thiago Alves at the main card of UFC 117 on August 7th. Jon Fitch is 12-1 in the UFC, without ever holding a title.
2. Kenny Florian
When: Lost a Unanimous Decision to Sean Serk at UFC 64, was Submitted by BJ Penn at UFC 101
MMA Live host Kenny Florian is definitely one of the fighters who can count themselves unfortunate for not becoming a UFC Champion. Ken-Flo dominated every opponent who stood on his way, but still failed to fulfill his incredible potential in fights against Sean Sherk and BJ Penn. Florian has victories over likes of Roger Huerta, Takanori Gomi , Joe Stevenson on Clay Guida and an overall UFC record of 11-3. His next battle will be against Gray Maynard at UFC 118, with sights on another shot at the UFC Lightweight gold.
3. Dan Henderson
When: Lost to Rampage Jackson at UFC 75 (Light Heavyweight title) and to Anderson Silva at UFC 82 (Middleweight title)
One of the most decorated Mixed Martial Artists to ever fight in the UFC, Dan Henderson was unable to become a Champion. Hendo came to the UFC as the Pride Middleweight (200 lbs) and Welterweight Champion (185 lbs), losing his title to the reigning UFC Champs Anderson Silva and Rampage Jackson. Henderson will be strongly remembered in the UFC for his epic KO victory over Michael Bisping at UFC 100, as at the age of (almost) 40 the chances to hear Bruce Buffer announcing his name again, are very slim.
4. Renato “Babalu” Sobral
When: Knocked out by Chuck Liddell after 1:35 minutes at UFC 62
Without a shadow of a doubt, Renato Sobral is one of the best Light Heavyweights to ever compete in MMA. Despite being finished early by Chuck Liddell at UFC 62, Babalu Sobral holds victories over some of the toughest fighters in the World. The Brazilian was on a 10-fight winning streak (6 submissions, 4 decisions) before meeting Chuck Liddell, who was at the peak of his form at UFC 62. Different time against a different opponent and we could easily have Babalu as a UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
5. Nate Marquardt
When: TKO’d by Anderson Silva in the First Round at UFC 73
The talented King of Pancrase is another perfect example for a fighter who could have easily become a UFC Champion. The fight against Anderson Silva was probably a little bit too early in Marquardt’s career, as even despite his defeat against Chael Sonnen I still think that he is currently the best contender in the UFC 185 division. “Nate the Great” will now have to climb his back to the top for another time, after being bulldozed by Chael Sonnen at UFC 109 in February. His next fight will be against Rousimar Palhares at UFC 118 on August 28th.
Comments
thats really sad cuz all these guys got so much heart. That gotta suck
you miss the biggest name out there that never became champion!
Mirko Cro Cop!
one of the biggest legends in the sport , who has fight in the 2 biggest organizations PRIDE FC and UFC .
lost by unanimous decision to Fedor for the heavyweight title in Pride ,and miss his number one contender spot to Gonzaga at UFC 74.
i would say that he deserves more the num 1 spot that anyone on the list , i'll say cut babalu and put Cro cop!
all the other 4 are great Choices man! cool idea.
Dear Anton Gurevich (Author),
it should be noted ...
Dan Henderson Won the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament ... on top of his titles in Pride ... so I'm not sure he should be on this list ...
It is a title ...
I think Florian is the only guy here who is good enough to be champion. (Not including Hendo who shouldnt be on the list). Marquardt is magic to watch - but it doesnt help when Anderson Silva is in your way. Fitch is good at grinding out results, but never really wins in spectacular fashion. Babalu??? - your having a laugh.
Florian couldnt of fought Penn at a worse time. Penn was out to prove a point after the GSP fiasco. I think hes improved alot since then and could still get that belt.
Dan Henderson won the UFC Middleweight Tournament, but he was not the UFC Middleweight Champion. In fact, Ken Shamrock defeated Jeremy Horn for the UFC Middleweight title at the same event.
Thanks
well see how penn looks against edgar
Dude,
He still won the Tournament ... it is a title ...
I LOVE LAMP!!!!
No it's not. Dan Henderson never held a UFC belt... he was never called a UFC Middleweight (or LHW) Champion. End of discussion
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Dan_Henderson_vs_Carlos_Newton_UFC_17?vid=10005815
Dude
Is that you GarryLt1??
Hes the only Canadian Ive seen here that gets wound up.
gud ole garry! i miss that SoB.
The title of the piece says "Champion" not modern belt.
Hendo is the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament CHAMPION!!!
I'm aware it's not the MW belt. As a lifelong Hendo fan I feel he needs to be given his proper due.
Good thing your name is in black or they might lynch you.
You guys are being petty.... Its not a title and that is what was meant by the damn article... He never held a title. Ok he won that tournament.... Did he defend his tournament title? Be for real. Dude.
What he hell are you idiots talking about - its a major UFC title ... what about the Pride tournaments then ... are they just bullshit too???
Gimmie a break! The story is flawed and so is your logic!!
Furthermore, if you choose to ignore tournament wins the name that should be at the top of your list should be
ROYCE GRACIE!!!!!!!!!
WHO ACCORDING TO YOU NEVER WON A STANDARD BELT.
Eat it!
Lol, "Eat it" that sad about being wrong huh? Its ok... Nobody downplayed the accomplishment of winning a tournament. Its just not the same thing as holding a title.... As he said, the ACTUAL title was defending on that same night. Grow up man. You were obviously lost to begin with when you brought up Pride titles when the damn article says "UFC Fighters" Just go lay down some where....
there is a big difference between a title winner and a tournament winner. He won the tourny, but isnt a champion. to beat a champion a belt in usually required ,which is why he is on the list.
if you win a tournament, you're not the chamo, just a tournament winner
Mo give it a ****ing rest man lol it doesnt even matter.
Royce Gracie also didn't fight regularly during the modern title era. Notice how every one on the list not only fought during the modern title era, but they actually fought for the title but lost their match.
I bet somewhere out there I have a kid as old as you....holy crap I hope your not him.
You must be new to the sport. So Royce Gracie should be at the top of the top 5 list - he only won TOURNAMENTS ....
royce gracie had phenomenal BJJ, nothing else. he was hugely overrated. its mixed martial arts, not BJJ vs wrestling or kickboxing etc. Ive been following UFC since 2001. ive done my homework and watched every UFC event since it started
Royce Gracie was hugely overrated? Come on dude. You cant compare a pioneer of the sport by modern standards. People like Gracie rasised the bar for all the modern MMA fighters. Without guys like him, the sport would have never evolved into what it is today.
Wow, all that is nice, but its NOT THE POINT...... Lol, incredible.
*defended.... Excuse me, wouldnt want you to have any ammo in ur nerf gun...
I'm simply pointing out the UFC 17 accomplishment deserves a mention ... Maybe you guys are newer to the sport and didn't watch those early UFC matches, but I did and they matter to me ...
What it has to do with Dan Henderson never being a UFC Middleweight Champion? Sorry but you don't make sense. No one is dismissing Hendo's achievements.... I will be first to call him one of the greatest fighters ever. That's why he is in that list, btw....
Explain the missing details to your boss ... MMA fans demand more.
Okay, that's too far.
You are a really good journalist. And thanks for the piece.
I'm a just crazed-Dan-fan. sorry, I get a little nuts ...
Thats laughable!! I watched the very first event and have been watching since.... Nice try tho. You have drifted so far from the original point in your attempt to save face that you are not even making sense anymore. Why does the UFC 17 accomplishment deserve a mention in an article that is in no way related? Yea man, ok he did a good job..?!
Still? These are the arguments you guys respond to haha.
The facts are the facts ... do your research.
What facts?!????!! You are right, you are crazy! Just let it go....
I personally don't think Babalu deserved a title win IMO
Stupid POST! NEVER SAY NEVER!
But you just did.
I think you don't understand the difference between "never were" and "will never be"...
Well....
Hendo missed a HUGE opportunity to make history. How many guys are gonna get a chance to have both the MW and LHW title. Nate will have a big chance to rule the MW once A.Silva moves up
or down
i would replace babalu with josh koscheck. Babalu really didnt beat any high level fighters in the ufc and koscheck is just getting his shot now even though he has been beating guys like sanchez, daley, johnson, trigg, hazelett
I agree Koscheck should be on the list instead of Babalu.
I think sanchez is also deserving however his last fight was not that good :(
I think KenFlo is the best fighter on this list for his weight class and I don't think he will ever be champ as long as BJ is around. KenFlo will probably clean out the rest of the division.
fitch face gsp in Minneapolis, Minnesota,not montreal.
Well Dan was the Pride champ in the Middle and Welterweight
AHHH... Fred Ettish...Hello?
its not sad they all got the chance and got owned by the champs, thats all.
Point is, they are always near the top of their divisions constantly.
Why isnt Kimbo Slice on this list!! Oh the OUTRAGE!!