5 UFC stars who've earned the 'dirtiest fighter' label in 2024 feat. Jon Jones

The UFC has long witnessed some of the greatest mixed martial artists clash in high-level matchups. Generally, most fighters compete within the confines of the Unified Rules of MMA. However, a few athletes bend or downright break the rules to benefit themselves.

Today, we look at a few UFC fighters who've lately featured in debates and discussions in the combat sports community for the rather unenviable reason of bending/breaking the rules. In 2024, they've faced accusations of being the dirtiest fighters in the world, either for their recent actions or for their history of using allegedly underhanded tactics.

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#5 Muhammad Mokaev

The undefeated Muhammad Mokaev was once viewed as a potential future UFC champion. Nevertheless, the Dagestan-born Englishman's reported behind-the-scenes issues, which supposedly irked the UFC brass, led to him being released from the organization after his final octagon appearance at UFC 304 in July 2024.

Mokaev had defeated Manel Kape via unanimous decision in their flyweight bout at the event. The build-up to their grudge match witnessed them trade barbs, clash at the UFC PI (Performance Institute), and even get into a huge hotel altercation. Even during their fighter entrances to the octagon, the duo almost scuffled and had to be restrained by security. Regardless, their fight was relatively underwhelming.

Kape, an Angola-born Portuguese striking savant, criticized Referee Mike Beltran. The flyweight argued that Beltran didn't adequately reprimand Mokaev for the latter's purportedly dirty tactics. 'Starboy' suggested that Mokaev tapped during a submission hold and then continued after it was loosened, an action that's strongly prohibited.

Taking to X, Kape alleged that Mokaev utilized other banned maneuvers; including pulling his shorts, eye pokes, groin kicks, and more. The ex-RIZIN bantamweight champion's tweet highlighted that it wasn't his best performance, but he still felt he did enough to outpoint the Brit.

The fans were split over Kape's allegations, eliciting support and opposition. Meanwhile, Mokaev returned to action in Brave CF in December.

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#4 Gillian Robertson

Canada's Gillian Robertson defeated Brazil's Luana Pinheiro via unanimous decision in their women's strawweight showdown. It transpired at the UFC Vegas 100 event in November 2024 after the historic change in the 12-6 elbow rule, where the previously banned downward elbow strikes in the 12-6 trajectory were legalized.

Many observers noticed that toward the end of round one of the three-round bout, Robertson landed a few 12-6 elbows after having stacked her foe up against the fence. Some of the strikes seemed to hit her bu**cks. Moreover, it was later reported that Robertson had landed the first legal 12-6 elbows since the move was unbanned. Some speculated whether the elbow(s) had hit Pinheiro's private parts.

Speaking to Ag Fight, Pinheiro later explained that she'd been on strong medication after the fight and couldn't sit without a cushion or bend her back. She spoke about being unable to exert much force or she felt it in the area, noting that Robertson "elbowed" her in the "an*s." She even recalled being unable to walk, cough, or laugh properly -- with sneezing being agonizing.

Pinheiro opined that the move wasn't executed to knock out or submit her, and was done "maliciously with bad intentions," even after the round had ended:

"It wasn't the heat of the moment. She knew where she was hitting... I felt like I was dying."

Some fans asserted that Robertson was within her rights to attack Pinheiro's lower body, except the private parts, with the legalized strikes. Alternatively, others argued that she should've exercised caution to not hit one's opponent in their private parts.

Watch Pinheiro discuss the topic below (16:19 and 23:15):

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#3 Igor Severino

Igor Severino fought Andre Lima in a flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 89 in March 2024. The fight ended in round two when Severino bit his opponent on the arm, leading Referee Chris Tognoni to step in. Lima was declared the winner via DQ (Disqualification).

Lima was handed a $25k bonus by UFC CEO and president Dana White for his troubles. He later got his infamous 'I got f**king bit bonus' tattoo around the area where he'd been bitten. White was impressed by Lima taking the incident in his stride and handed him another $25k bonus.

Meanwhile, Severino was cut from the UFC and faced punitive action at the hands of the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission). Severino was later handed a nine-month suspension and also fined $2,000. He apologized for his actions and also thanked Lima, as the latter had stated that he deserved another chance.

Severino recently made waves by returning to MMA competition for the first time since that controversial fight. His comeback saw him beat Jonas Magard via split decision at OKTAGON 65 on Dec. 29, 2024. He even alluded to his bite incident, making his entrance with a mask akin to that donned by the famous cannibalistic fictional character, Hannibal Lecter.

Check out the bite sequence and aftermath below:

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#2 Michael Chandler

For years, Michael Chandler has been considered an exciting and reputable fighter. However, following his submission defeat against Dustin Poirier in their back-and-forth fight in November 2022, some detractors have deemed him a dirty fighter. Poirier consistently deemed him as such, accusing him of blowing bloody snot on his face and fish-hooking his mouth.

Chandler was on the sidelines since, awaiting a potential clash against combat sports megastar Conor McGregor. He was to fight McGregor in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 in June 2024, but a toe injury ruled the Irishman out. Instead, Chandler ultimately returned in a rematch against Charles Oliveira in a lightweight bout in November 2024.

Oliveira seemed ahead on the scorecards, but Chandler stunned him badly in the fifth and final round. During one sequence he rained down strikes on 'Do Bronx,' with some seemingly hitting the back of his head. Ultimately, Oliveira survived and won via unanimous decision.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Chandler defended his actions, implying that the shots weren't to the back of the head. Also, 'Iron' lambasted those labeling him a dirty fighter.

Check out Michael Chandler's assessment below:

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#1 UFC megastar Jon Jones

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is one of the greatest MMA fighters ever. In November 2024, Jones knocked out Stipe Miocic and could face rivals like Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira in 2025.

Back in 2011, Jones was the UFC light heavyweight champion and successfully notched his first title defense by stopping the legendary Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson via fourth-round submission. Well, in 2023, Jackson spoke to Chris Van Vliet and the statements he made set fight fans abuzz:

"Jon Jones is a great fighter, but I'm gonna be one hundred. Even if he was standing in this room, I would say he's the dirtiest fighter ever. He's the dirtiest fighter ever. And the guy is so smart. He does the most dirtiest things."

Jackson brought up points such as Jones' widely derided tendency to eye-poke opponents. 'Rampage' further indicated that if one does anything good or gets an advantage against Jones during the fight, he dents their momentum by using eye pokes or kicking their knees. He even claimed that kicks sustained against 'Bones' in their fight have resulted in him still suffering knee issues.

The ex-UFC light heavyweight champion recalled asking the referee why Jones wasn't being reprimanded for the eye pokes and constantly moving his fingers toward his face.

Even in 2024, Jackson reaffirmed his stance about Jones' greatness being marred by his supposed tendencies to bend/break the rules with eye pokes, alleged PED use as indicated by his failed drug tests, and more. As such, combat sports discourse through 2024 has featured Jones being included in many fans' lists of the dirtiest fighters in the sport.

Check out Jackson's assessment below (29:45):