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UFC fighters are among the most skilled mixed martial artists in the world. They represent the upper echelon of the sport and are often regarded with reverence and respect. Unfortunately, because of the nature of fighters, many are unwilling to walk away from combat sports once they reach their expiration date.
Countless fighters, who were either great or just serviceable during their heyday, refuse to hang up the gloves even at the very end of their twilight years. Their stubbornness often forces the UFC's hand, with the promotion either terminating their contract or refusing to re-sign them.
Yet, these fighters find a new life elsewhere, continuing to lose and disgrace their legacies with defeat after defeat. To their misfortune, they keep fighting, no matter how poor their run of form.
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#5. Nick Diaz, UFC welterweight
As one half of the legendary Diaz brothers, Nick Diaz is a hyper-popular name in the MMA world. He previously reigned as the Strikeforce welterweight champion and even challenged the great Georges St-Pierre for UFC welterweight gold. Unfortunately, he is now 40 years old, and his 41st birthday is next month.
Moreover, the elder Diaz brother is on a four-fight winless streak, consisting of three losses and one no-contest. The latter was originally a loss to Anderson Silva before the latter's positive test for drostanolone and androsterone. His last loss, though, was especially concerning.
The Stockton legend returned after a six-year hiatus to rematch Robbie Lawler, where he retired from the fight, lacking the will to continue fighting. Nevertheless, he is back in the UFC and scheduled to fight Vicente Luque at an undetermined event.
#4. Clay Guida, UFC lightweight
His skills or accomplishments have never distinguished Clay Guida. Instead, he is known for his toughness and all-time great scrap with Diego Sanchez. However, he is now 42 years old, with his 43rd birthday awaiting him on Dec. 8.
Check out Claudio Puelles submitting Clay Guida:
In addition to his advanced age, Guida has not been on a win streak since 2017 and is 9-13, having not won a fight in two years. Guida is also unranked in the lightweight division, which is notoriously deep. Despite being far closer to retirement than at any other point in his career, he is still signed to the UFC.
Guida has refused all calls for his retirement and is intent on fighting for as long as his body allows him.
#3. Andrei Arlovski, former UFC heavyweight
Calls for Andrei Arlovski's retirement have been echoed for years, especially in 2017 when he was on a five-fight losing streak consisting of three knockouts. While he managed to bounce back to a degree, the former heavyweight champion is no longer ranked in his division.
Furthermore, he is 45 years old and on a four-fight losing streak, having tasted defeat against three unranked fighters. Although he parted ways with the promotion after his UFC 303 loss to Martin Buday, the Belarusian legend claims that he is the one who refused to re-sign.
He is instead determined to ply his trade elsewhere in another promotion and possibly a different sport despite his advanced age and declining form.
#2. James Vick, former UFC lightweight
There was once a time when James Vick was a prospect in the lightweight division. In fact, he was regarded as a possible top fighter, and by early 2018, he had authored a four-fight win streak, finishing three of his four opponents. His next assignment came against future interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
Check out Rafael Alves knocking out James Vick:
Although Vick talked a big game ahead of the bout, he was knocked out in brutal fashion by 'The Highlight.' He went on to lose his next four bouts, three of which were similarly brutal knockouts that revealed Vick's inability to take a shot. Despite retiring from MMA, Vick ventured into boxing.
Unfortunately, Vick lost the bout, only to then sign with Karate Combat, where he went 1-1 before his recent outing saw him get knocked out in a concerning fashion. This led to calls for his retirement from combat sports altogether, which he should consider.
#1. Jorge Masvidal, former UFC lightweight/welterweight
The UFC's first-ever 'BMF' champion, Jorge Masvidal, caught lightning in a bottle in 2019 with a trio of knockouts over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz that launched him into superstardom. Alas, it didn't last, and 'Gamebred,' who has been a journeyman for most of his career, was back to his old ways.
Check out Nate Diaz's win over Jorge Masvidal:
He lost four consecutive fights and promptly announced his retirement from MMA. However, stubborn to the very end, he secured a rematch with Diaz, this time in boxing, all while campaigning for a fight with Conor McGregor. Yet, at 39 years old, 'Gamebred' had not gotten any better.
He lost his boxing match to Diaz, leaving him 0-5 in his last five fights. Yet, he has not welcomed retirement and expressed an interest in a trilogy with Diaz.
