Oct 9, 2013; Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Rousimar Palhares reacts after defeating Mike Pierce (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Jose Correa Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Every sport has its villains. The athletes fans love to hate. In the UFC, being despised doesn’t always mean being unsuccessful. Sometimes it means being incredibly successful but rubbing people the wrong way while doing it. Trash talk can sell PPV’s and fill arenas. Controversial behavior outside the cage can make headlines that boost fighter recognition. But there’s a fine line between promotional theatrics and genuine animosity from fans and fellow fighters alike.
The most hated UFC fighters didn’t just lose popularity through one mistake. They built reputations over time through repeated controversies, legal troubles, or personalities that grated on everyone around them. Some embraced the villain role deliberately while others seemed genuinely shocked that people disliked them. Let’s examine 5 fighters who earned the most hatred from fans and the MMA community.
5. Conor McGregor
‘The Notorious’ once charmed fans with witty trash talk and knockout power. But McGregor’s decline from beloved star to widely hated figure happened gradually through increasingly ugly behavior. His attacks on Khabib Nurmagomedov crossed into religious and cultural insensitivity that went way too far. The buildup to their fight featured personal insults that sparked genuine hatred between the camps.
McGregor’s legal troubles outside the octagon damaged his reputation further. He threw a dolly through a bus window injuring multiple fighters at UFC 223. His 2018 arrest for that incident showed his behavior had spiraled out of control. Death threats toward Dustin Poirier and his wife after their trilogy fight disgusted fans.Morover, he was recently entangled in a sexual assault case. His transformation from charismatic champion to divisive figure remains one of the sport’s saddest falls from grace.
4. Jon Jones
‘Bones’ is arguably the most talented fighter in UFC history. He’s also one of the most hated. Jones combines unprecedented fighting ability with a seemingly endless list of controversies outside the cage. His legal troubles include multiple DUI arrests, a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman in 2015, domestic violence allegations, and failed drug tests.
Jones tested positive for banned substances multiple times throughout his career. He was stripped of the light heavyweight championship three separate times for various disciplinary issues. In 2020, he was arrested for DWI with a loaded gun in his vehicle. More recently in 2024, Jones faced charges related to an alleged incident with a UFC drug testing agent. Though some charges were later dropped, the pattern of behavior created massive distrust. His refusal to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall before retiring in 2025 only added to the frustration.
Jones represents wasted potential and repeated second chances that were squandered. He could have been universally celebrated as the greatest ever. Instead, he’ll forever be remembered as the most controversial champion who couldn’t stay out of trouble long enough to cement an untarnished legacy.
3. Tito Ortiz
Ortiz was one of the UFC‘s first real stars. But he became increasingly disliked during his career for dodging fights and saying ridiculous things. His refusal to fight Chuck Liddell while both were at their peaks frustrated fans who desperately wanted to see that matchup. When the fight finally happened, Liddell knocked Ortiz out cold.
Ortiz’s trash talk often backfired because he’d say something that didn’t make sense. His feud with Dana White became legendary for all the wrong reasons. The two couldn’t stand each other and exchanged public insults constantly. Ortiz also wore embarrassing shirts to press conferences that confused more people than they offended. His attempt at being controversial just came across as trying too hard. After he finally left the UFC, most fans felt relieved. His legacy remains that of a talented fighter whose personality made him impossible to root for.
2. Colby Covington
‘Chaos’ deliberately created his villain persona to save his UFC career. Covington was on the verge of being released despite his winning streak because the UFC found him boring. After defeating Damian Maia in Brazil, Covington called Brazilians “filthy animals” and their country a “dump.” The transformation was complete.
His trash talk became increasingly political and personal. Covington aligned himself with controversial political figures and attacked opponents’ families and personal lives. His insulting Jorge Masvidal’s family led to Masvidal allegedly assaulting him outside a Miami restaurant. Fellow fighters openly stated they hated Covington and wanted to see him lose. His approach to promotion definitely worked financially as his fights drew big numbers. But it also made him genuinely despised by large portions of the fanbase and nearly everyone on the roster.
1. Rousimar Palhares
Palhares takes the top spot on this list. He became the most hated fighters in UFC history for refusing to release submissions after opponents tapped. His specialty was heel hooks, one of the most dangerous submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The problem was that Palhares would keep cranking the hold even after fighters tapped and referees intervened. This wasn’t a one-time mistake.
At UFC 111 in 2010, Palhares held a heel hook on Tomasz Drwal even after the tap and referee intervention. He received a 90-day suspension from the New Jersey commission. But he didn’t learn his lesson. At UFC Fight Night 29 in 2013, Palhares submitted Mike Pierce with a heel hook in just 31 seconds. Pierce tapped eight times verbally and physically. The referee dove in to stop the fight. Palhares gave one final crank before releasing, causing serious ligament damage to Pierce’s knee. Dana White immediately banned him from the UFC for life.Palhares continued the same behavior in World Series of Fighting until they banned him too. His complete disregard for opponent safety made him universally despised by fighters and fans alike.
(Image Credit: Jason Silva – Imagn Images)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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