5 UFC title challengers who were written off before their title fight

#4. Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva

UFC 200: Tate v Nunes

Anderson Silva looked about as invisible as a fighter could coming into UFC 162. Fantastic defense coupled with violently unique striking created the best middleweight champion in UFC history. It didn't come as a surprise to see how the majority of the MMA community had little belief that Weidman would steal the belt.

'The Spider' may not have publicly disregarded Weidman, but the fight shows that he didn't acknowledge his opponents' striking ability as a problem. Silva has showboated in the past, but the theatrics against Weidman were blatantly disrespectful.

Challenging 'The All-American' to hit him, Silva dug his own grave when a lead-hook landed and knocked him unconscious. When this fight was scheduled, many saw Weidman as a victim for Silva's legacy. This still remains as one of the most shocking upsets in MMA history.

#3. Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey

UFC 193: Rousey v Holm

After achieving a 12-0 record with a 100% finishing rate, Rousey was as mainstream as a fighter could get. Bringing in a lot of attention to the sport, the former Olympian had a lot riding on her UFC 193 performance against Holly Holm.

Perhaps the success got to her head, maybe the support of fans had her feeling bulletproof, or it was her coach that has been reviled as being a "yes-man". It could be the product of all of those at once, but one thing is for sure and it's that Rousey did not look prepared for the problems that Holm posed.

Rousey had a great run as the bantamweight champion and she remains one of the most enigmatic fighters to bless our screens. Being a -1500 favorite is about as concrete a testament one could find to show how little faith fans and pundits put into Holm getting the job done. But history is told by the winners.