5 most surprising UFC losing streaks

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje
Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje

#2. Tyron Woodley - 4 fight losing streak

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Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley
Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley

Tyron Woodley became the welterweight champion when he knocked out Robbie Lawler at UFC 201. Woodley had everything to look for in a fighter: high-level wrestling, great cardio, and a vicious right hand that could put anyone to sleep.

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Woodley defended his title four times. He defeated 'Wonderboy' in two close fights, beat Demian Maia via UD, and submitted Darren Till in the first round. Everything was looking good for 'The Chosen One' as he became one of the most popular faces of the sport.

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But at UFC 235, in his title defense against Kamaru Usman, he was dominated for five straight rounds. It was a tough loss to take for Woodley as he couldn't even win one round on any judges' scorecard.

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Woodley made his return against Gilbert Burns and was once again beaten comprehensively. Woodley was then booked against Colby Covington in a long-awaited grudge match. Covington put on an incredible pace on him and finished him in the fifth round.

Woodley's last UFC fight came against rising prospect Vincente Luque. Woodley came charging towards Luque as the bell rang and had him hurt early on. But the Brazilian gathered himself and submitted the former champion in the very first round. Woodley was now on a four-fight losing streak and was released by the UFC.

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#1. Tony Ferguson - 3 fight losing streak

Tony Ferguson vs. Beneil Dariush
Tony Ferguson vs. Beneil Dariush

Tony Ferguson has been fighting in the UFC for more than ten years. Ferguson won The Ultimate Fighter in 2011 and since then has been a big name in the lightweight division. After his loss to Michael Johnson in May 2012, Ferguson went on a 12-fight win streak capturing the interim title on his way.

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But 'El Cucuy' never fought for the undisputed gold due to injuries and pull-outs. He was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic the fight got canceled and he was booked against Justin Gaethje.

Gaethje put on a striking masterclass against Ferguson. 'El Cucuy' was left bloodied with a broken orbital bone. The beating Gaethje put on Ferguson was severe and referee Herb Dean decided to stop the fight in the fifth round.

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Ferguson then fought against Charles Oliveira. 'Do Bronx' wasted no time in taking Ferguson to the ground. The skill level in his grappling was evident by how easily Oliveira was controlling Ferguson on the ground. The Brazilian locked in an armbar towards the end of the first, but Ferguson refused to tap. Oliveira won that bout by decision.

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'El Cucuy' then fought Beneil Dariush, who also took him to the ground and controlled him there for the major part of the fight. Dariush also caught Ferguson in a submission but the American again refused to tap and carried on. Dariush came on top in a one-sided affair won by decision.

Ferguson is now on a three-fight losing streak and needs to pull out a win otherwise he could face the same fate as Woodley and get released from the UFC.

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Edited by Allan Mathew
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