5 current UFC fighters who have been successful despite being one-dimensional

#4. Holly Holm – UFC bantamweight contender

Holly Holm has rarely needed to display anything but her striking skills in the octagon

Ever since the UFC introduced female fighters back in 2013, there’s been an argument to suggest that the level of competition in their various divisions is slightly less evolved than the level we see from their male counterparts.

Overall, though, that simply isn’t true. The likes of Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes and Rose Namajunas are all remarkably well-rounded fighters with dangerous skills in all areas.

However, one fighter who is largely one-dimensional but who has also been able to find plenty of success is Holly Holm. The former UFC bantamweight champion, Holm debuted in the octagon with a reputation as a deadly striker, and it’s safe to say she’s lived up to that reputation.

‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ was able to knock out legendary champion Ronda Rousey in 2015, and while her rate of finishing isn’t great, she’s picked up other huge wins too over the likes of Bethe Correira, Raquel Pennington and Irene Aldana.

Despite this, though, Holm has never shown off any real skills outside of her striking in the octagon. Sure, she did use some takedowns to grind out a win over Megan Anderson in 2018, but it didn’t look comfortable for her, and since then, she’s gone right back to focusing purely on her stand-up.

Overall, though, her approach makes sense. When she’s able to pick apart almost all of her opponents without even taking much damage, why would ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ look to change anything up? If anything, she’s the definition of a one-dimensional but highly-successful modern fighter.

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#3. Tai Tuivasa – UFC heavyweight contender

Despite his recent success, we don't know much about Tai Tuivasa's ground game

The UFC’s heavyweight division tends to be a little different to the rest of the promotion’s roster in that punching power – or lack thereof – is a much bigger factor than in any other division. This means that over the years, fighters who might not have had the best-rounded skills have become hugely successful.

Right now, one such fighter is Tai Tuivasa. The native of Australia has skyrocketed to the top of the division in recent years. After a tricky period, he’s now riding a lengthy five-fight win streak, with all of those victories coming via KO or TKO.

Most recently, ‘Bam Bam’ dispatched Derrick Lewis with a vicious elbow in the second round of their fight, and showed off a truly iron chin when he was able to absorb big shots from ‘The Black Beast’.

However, all three of Tuivasa’s losses in the octagon came when his opponents were able to ground him, and despite his current run, there’s no real evidence to suggest that he’s closed that hole in his game.

Given that the top of the division is peopled largely by strikers like Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou, does Tuivasa need an excellent ground game to succeed? Generally, the answer is no, but if he were to fight a wrestler like Curtis Blaydes in the near future, then it’d definitely help.

For now, though, it’s safe to call him a one-dimensional fighter, but a notably dangerous and successful one, too.