5 current UFC contenders whose TUF runs have been completely forgotten

#2. Paulo Costa – UFC middleweight (TUF Brazil 3)

When Paulo Costa debuted in the UFC in mid-2016, he was largely billed as a hot prospect from the Brazilian regional scene, with an impressive 8-0 record to his name. As far as most fans were aware, his fight with Garreth McLellan was his first trip to the big show.

However, that wasn’t strictly the case. He might’ve looked completely different, with his bulging muscles now being his most notable attribute rather than his perfectly-plucked eyebrows and bleached hair. However, ‘The Eraser’ actually competed on the third season of TUF Brazil some two years prior to his octagon debut.

Bizarrely, despite being billed as a heavy-handed striker upon his octagon debut – and quickly living up to that reputation with four TKO wins in a row – Costa was actually more renowned as a grappler in his run on the reality show.

He submitted Jose Roberto to earn himself a spot in the TUF house and then came close to submitting eventual finalist Marcio Alexandre too, only to gas out and fall prey to a split decision defeat.

However, ‘The Eraser’ was more widely renowned for his reputation as a preening pretty-boy who would spend a ludicrous amount of time in front of the mirror than he was for his fighting skills. How true this really was remains unknown, but it did make Costa the butt of many jokes during his time on the show.

Given that he’s now one of just three fighters to remain on the UFC’s roster from the season, though, and the only one to receive a shot at a title – although he came up short against Israel Adesanya – it’s safe to say that he’s had the last laugh.

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#1. Marlon Vera – UFC bantamweight (TUF: Latin America)

Marlon Vera's journey through the UFC could've been very different had he won his season of TUF

Right now, there are few hotter fighters in the UFC’s bantamweight division than Marlon Vera. ‘Chito’ defeated Rob Font in pretty vicious fashion this weekend to extend his current winning run to three bouts. He now finds himself ranked at No.5 in the weight class.

The Ecuadorian’s stunning rise to the top of the UFC, as well as his memorable bouts with the likes of Sean O’Malley, Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo, has meant that many fans have completely forgotten that he first emerged into the promotion via the first season of TUF: Latin America.

Interestingly, had things gone slightly differently, Vera’s career in the octagon may have gone on an entirely different trajectory. ‘Chito’ was widely seen as his team’s best bantamweight fighter and he proved his worth by knocking out Henry Briones in his first bout on the show with a brutal upkick.

However, a skin infection then forced him out of the competition altogether. While Dana White made sure to guarantee him a spot on the finale show, it meant that Alejandro Perez went onto claim victory instead in the tournament instead.

The result of this was that ‘Chito’ was allowed to build himself up while flying largely under the radar, rather than being rushed into any big fights. It’s clearly an approach that’s worked for him. Nearly eight years after his stint on the reality show, he’s now one of the hottest contenders in the game.