Discover the heartbreaking declines of UFC stars like Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, exploring their struggles and fall from greatness!
Mixed martial arts can be as unpredictable as life itself. One day you are on top of the world, and the next, you’re struggling to find your footing. The fight game has seen many champions rise to incredible heights only to face steep declines that left fans wondering what happened.
Here, we will have a look at seven UFC stars who experienced dramatic career shifts that shocked the MMA world!
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Once seemingly untouchable at middleweight, Adesanya’s aura of invincibility cracked in 2023. After dominating the division for years, he lost his title to Sean Strickland in a stunning upset at UFC 293. He lost again to Dricus Du Plessis, and this was his chance to regain the title.
His last fight was his first non-title fight in years against Nassourdine Imavov. However, he seemed to have lost that touch as he lost the fight via TKO in the second round. His recent record shows four losses in his last five fights.
Kamaru Usman was once considered to be a candidate for the title of welterweight GOAT. He had stacked up an impressive 15- fight win streak until his second fight with Leon Edwards happened in 2022. ‘Rocky’ landed a head kick in the last round that sent Usman in dreamland, and he hasn’t been the same since.
He failed to reclaim his title in the trilogy fight and in 2023, lost to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. He has been inactive for close to 1.5 years since, and his return has been a topic of debate among fight fans. His current 0-3 skid is a far cry from his 15-fight win streak.
After his masterclass against Dominick Cruz in 2016, Garbrandt looked like bantamweight’s future. His movement and speed had Cruz all wound up. But, it seemed like Garbrandt gave all that he had in that one fight.
He went from an 11-0 to 3-6 in his last 9 fights, with four losses by knockout. His speed remains, but his once-legendary chin seems compromised, and now, his dreams of reclaiming that belt seem a bit far off.
Brian Ortega’s technical brilliance earned him two title shots, but injuries and brutal wars have taken their toll. He went from being 14-0 to be 2-4 in his six fights, with each loss more physically demanding than the last.
He has lost to Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski and recently, got dominated by Diego Lopes at UFC 306.
Tony Ferguson was once on top of the lightweight division. He was the one that fans thought would be Khabib Nurmaogomedov’s bane. However, his 12-fight win streak feels like ancient history now.
He has lost eight straight since 2020, with each performance showing diminishing returns. The damage from his wars, especially the one with Justin Gaethje, and unique training methods seems to have caught up with the 40 year old veteran. He recently left the UFC and joined GFL.
Paulo Costa’s musclebound style captivated fans early on. His propensity for throwing caution to the wind and banging out, coupled with his sense of humor had fan favourite written all over it.
However, since his title loss to Adesanya, he has struggled hard. Between weight issues and inconsistent performances, he’s 1-4 in his last four fights. His recent loss was against Sean Strickland at UFC 302.
While it might be premature to call it a decline, Alexander Volkanovski’s recent losses to Islam Makhachev and title loss to Ilia Topuria have raised questions. The fighter than once dominated the featherweight division, now feels a shell of his former self.
His incredible 11-fight win streak ended, showing even the most dominant champions aren’t invincible. He is now 1-3 in his last four fights.
Each fighter’s story reminds fans that combat sports careers can change drastically. Whether it’s age, accumulated damage, or evolving competition, staying at the top requires more than just skill – it needs timing, luck, and the ability to adapt.
These warriors gave fans unforgettable moments, and their legacies extend beyond their recent struggles. Their names will forever be etched in the MMA history!
(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)