'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UFC is the world's biggest and most popular MMA promotion. Many fighters struggle to reach the top 10 in their respective divisions. Those who do, find it harder to hold on to their ranking or progress further. At this elite level, every athlete must put all their effort into training in order to succeed. However, even that is not enough sometimes.
A draw is rare in this sport. Most times, a fight will have a winner and a loser. While it's the winner who generally gets the praise, there are times when even a losing fighter earns the respect of the fans. Such fights often go the distance, with both combatants having their moments to shine.
Trending
Fights such as Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar and Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson are among the most memorable in MMA history. What stood out in those contests was the determination displayed by both participants in the octagon.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
On that note, here is a list of five fighters who lost the fight but won over the fans.
#5. Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 236
Kelvin Gastelum made his UFC debut in 2013, where he earned a split-decision victory against Uriah Hall. Over the years, the former junior college wrestler worked his way up the rankings. He picked up wins over Johny Hendricks, Michael Bisping, and 'Jacare' Souza.
Gastelum received a shot at the title in 2019, but a medical emergency forced champion Robert Whittaker to pull out. At the time, Israel Adesanya was rapidly rising through the ranks. With Whittaker unable to compete, the UFC decided to book an interim middleweight title fight between Gastelum and Adesanya in April 2019.
The two contenders met inside the cage at UFC 236. The first round began with both trying to get a feel for each other's movements. Gastelum dialed up the pace and almost knocked Adesanya down with a right hook in the first round. The Nigerian-born New Zealander came back strong and won the next two, defending takedowns and landing big shots.
The back-and-forth action continued in the fourth round, where Gastelum had 'The Last Stylebender' in trouble. However, in the fifth round, Adesanya rallied. He dominated the action, attempted submissions, and finished the fight on top.
Gastelum lost via unanimous decision but gave Adesanya his toughest test in the middleweight division. He showed determination and heart, earning the respect of the fans. Even Dana White was impressed and said: “This is one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen.”
#4. Dominick Reyes vs. Jon Jones at UFC 247
Dominick Reyes made his first UFC appearance in 2017. He turned pro in 2014 and amassed a record of 6-0 before joining the promotion. Within two years, Reyes established himself as the No. 1 contender in the 205 lb division. He picked up wins against Jared Cannonier, Ovince Saint Preux, and former middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
In February 2020, 'The Devastator' got his shot at dethroning Jon Jones at UFC 247. The Californian began the fight positively. He disrupted Jones' rhythm with kicks and showcased better striking, landing the more accurate and damaging shots. In the first three rounds, Jones was also unable to land takedowns.
However, 'Bones' managed to turn the tide in the championship rounds. He made the right adjustments, landed multiple takedowns and overwhelmed Reyes. While the challenger looked visibly gassed, he managed to survive until the final bell. In the end, Jones was awarded a unanimous decision victory.
Though he lost, 'The Devastator' managed to outstrike one of the all-time greats for three rounds. Even in the last two rounds, he refused to let Jones control him on the ground. With his performance, Reyes won many new fans. In fact, a large number of fans and experts still believe that 'The Devastator' was robbed of a win.
#3. Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards at UFC 263
Nate Diaz is one of the most eccentric fighters in the UFC. The younger brother of MMA legend Nick Diaz has been fighting professionally since 2004. Since his UFC debut in 2007, he has evolved into a star and fan favorite.
Diaz has beaten big names like Donald Cerrone, Gray Maynard, Anthony Pettis, and Conor McGregor. He is a unique athlete with unorthodox striking and a strong ground game, but his biggest asset is his granite chin. At UFC 263, his durability and ability to impress fans were on full display against Leon Edwards.
On fight night, Edwards outclassed his opponent for almost the entirety of the contest, landing vicious leg kicks and precise strikes. 'Rocky' also proved to be the better grappler. However, with only a minute remaining in the final round, the Stockton native connected with a big left cross that wobbled his opponent.
The momentum had shifted in an instant. However, Diaz started mocking the Englishman when a more proactive approach could have landed him a finish. The showboating gave his opponent time to recover and, in the end, Edwards won via unanimous decision. While Diaz lost, his grit and especially his performance in the final round sent fans into a frenzy.
#2. Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266
Brian Ortega has emerged as one of the most talented featherweights in the UFC. After making his promotional debut in 2014, Ortega went on a seven-fight unbeaten run before losing to Max Holloway in a title fight. While the American was quite popular among fans, he truly earned their respect after his hard-fought loss to 'Blessed'.
However, it was the fight against Alexander Volkanovski that turned him into a star. Their first scheduled bout, set for UFC 260, fell through due to COVID-19 regulations. The two were then selected as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 29. Throughout the show, the rivalry intensified, and they finally fought at UFC 266.
Right from the get-go, Volkanovski was faster on the feet. Ortega landed some well-timed counters, but the champ was doing more damage. In the third round, 'T-City' dropped the Australian with a counter-left cross and put him in a mounted guillotine. Incredibly, Volkanovski powered out. Moments later, 'T-City' locked in another submission but, once again, the champ managed to slip out. This time, 'The Great' proceeded to land some vicious ground-and-pound.
Despite being battered and exhausted, Ortega survived the championship rounds. In the end, Volkanovski won via unanimous decision.
However, Ortega's efforts won him the respect of the entire MMA community. Fans, fellow mixed martial artists and even Volkanovski praised his performance. Although he is currently on medical suspension, all eyes will be on 'T-City' when he makes his return to the octagon.
#1. Michael Chandler vs. Just Gaethje at UFC 268
There was a lot of buzz surrounding Michael Chandler when he signed with the UFC in 2020. He was a three-time Bellator lightweight champion and had wins over former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson. In his promotional debut, he knocked out the dangerous Dan Hooker in the first round.
In his second fight, he fought for the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira. A section of the fans questioned whether Chandler deserved a title shot after just one fight in the UFC. Former lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov said he would be ''sad'' if the American won. On fight night, Chandler found success early but lost via knockout in the second round.
However, Michael Chandler silenced the doubters when he faced Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. At the start, Chandler tried to overwhelm his opponent with his pace. While Gaethje found success with his signature leg kicks, 'Iron' did not slow down. He even managed to wobble 'The Highlight' in the first round with a vicious punch.
As the fight went on, Gaethje started to take control and almost finished Chandler with a massive uppercut in the second round. In the third round, a battered Chandler tried his best, but 'The Highlight' did not lose his composure and won via unanimous decision.
While Chandler did not win, the grit and durability he showed against one of the hardest-hitting lightweights won over the fans. Justin Gaethje later posted a selfie of himself and Chandler from the hospital. 'Iron' was all smiles even though his face had multiple bruises and cuts.
