Every sport will always have a few busts. These are athletes called as such simply because they just couldn’t live up to the hype they generated. Or, that they simply just couldn’t remain good enough to be competitive.
In the merciless octagon, the line between victory and defeat can blur within a split second. Here, champions are forged, and pretenders are exposed. The Awful Fighters in MMA we’re about to discuss aren’t necessarily bad at martial arts in general. They’ve merely failed to make their mark in this particular sports domain – often woefully.
Nevertheless, their contributions to the MMA world are still noteworthy. They serve as reminders that talent isn’t the only ingredient in the recipe for success. Consistency, discipline, and a never-say-die attitude are equally crucial.
In the list below, you’ll find such athletes fighting inside the Octagon. Mixed Martial Arts fighters signed by major companies and sports brands that, for some reason, just couldn’t duke it out with the big boys.
10 – Bob Sapp
He’s lost 12 fights in a row, most of which after tapping out from strikes and has been accused of throwing fights. Also, if you’ve been following MMA closely, you’d see in his recent interviews that he has a few mental issues to work on.
09 – Sean Salmon
Sean Salmon used an impressive 9-1 record to get his chance to fight in the UFC. His first fight was against Rashad Evans, where after holding his own for much of the fight, he got knocked out by a brutal head kick. Since then, he’s lost 12 straight fights and his career has been on a decline.
08 – Ross Pointon
During The Ultimate Fighter Season 3, Ross Pointon was one of the worst fighters. Though, he made up for this with his willingness to fight anyone at anytime.
Unfortunately, his willingness didn’t always lead to good results. He now has a record of 6 wins and 17 losses, with his first loss coming at the hands of Kendal Grove via submission.
07 – Elvis Sinosic
Elvis Sinosic won his UFC debut fight against submission specialist, Jeremy Horn. Although discounted as a fluke, it still seemed that Elvis had the momentum going for him. But, after taking epic beatings from the likes of Michael Bisping and Tito Ortiz, it was clear that his career was going anywhere but up.
Elvis Sinosic retired in 2007 with a win-loss record of 7-11
06 – Wayne Weems
Wayne Weems has 12 wins and 2 losses, a record that should keep him safe from lists like this. But, a close look at his record or previous opponents and his performance in The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, you’d see exactly why.
His lack of fighting skills and talent was even more evident after Gray Maynard simply crushed Wayne Weens just two minutes into the fight.
05 – Kimbo Slice
Sometimes, I wonder what’s more shocking. Someone who put videos of himself beating up other guys on YouTube got a chance to fight in the UFC? Or that someone who’s got zero ground-game could even win an MMA fight?
Kimbo Slice won his recent fight against Ken Shamrock and now has an official record of 4 wins with 2 losses. But, in the eyes of many MMA fighters and fans alike, he’s a fighter that just doesn’t belong in the Octagon Cage.
04 – Giant Silva
Silva lost 6 of his 7 fights while fighting in Pride Fighting Championships and would go on to retire in 2006 after a win against Chad Rowan / Akebono Tarō.
03 – Jason Thacker
Jason Thacker got the shot of a lifetime after receiving a call from the UFC and was offered to be on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter.
After struggling mightily throughout the show, he got a chance to show off in his fight against Chris Leben. Unfortunately, it was a poor showing and he got TKO’d in the first round.
Jason Thacker has not fought professionally since then.
02 – Sean Gannon
After watching the YouTube clip of Sean Gannon beating Kimbo Slice in a street fight that happened back in 2003, the UFC decided to sign him and pit him against Branden Lee Hinkle at UFC 55.
Gannon’s lack of striking skills and terrible cardio was quickly exposed by Hinkle’s ground and pound and the fight had to be stopped in the first round.
We didn’t hear anything from Sean Gannon since then.
01 – James Toney
In a fight of what would be former champion VS former champion, James Toney quickly learned that MMA just wasn’t for him. Couture took Toney to the ground early and forced him to submit in the first round with an arm triangle.
James Toney immediately retired from the MMA after the fight.
Illegal acts in MMA
Switching gears, let’s delve into some darker aspects of the MMA world – the illegal acts that sometimes plague the sport. While the fights we watch on the screen are captivating displays of human endurance, there’s an underside riddled with banned substances, street fighting moves, and inappropriate behavior. From fighters missing weight to using performance-enhancing drugs and breaking the rules in the octagon, these incidents cast a shadow over the sport.
UFC, the premier organization in MMA, has been hit with numerous controversies over the years. Fighters bending or breaking the rules have resulted in fines, suspensions, or even lifetime bans. It’s a stern reminder that the sport’s integrity must always be upheld, even in the face of fierce competition.
Despite the various controversies, MMA continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Its rollercoaster nature, where the underdog can defeat a titan and where a new star can be born in an instant, remains a major attraction.
However, as we reflect on the Awful Fighters in MMA and the darker side of the sport, we’re reminded of the importance of sportsmanship and respect. At the end of the day, MMA is not just about the fighter who stands tall in the ring; it’s also about the values that the sport instills in its participants and fans.