5 MMA fighters who could have become UFC champions if they didn't retire early

#2. Former UFC light heavyweight Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson (23-6)

Very few fighters in UFC history commanded the kind of fear that Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson had. He began his career at welterweight, cutting a dangerous amount of weight to the point of diminishing returns. This caused Johnson to ply his trade in other weight classes like middleweight, light heavyweight, and even heavyweight.

While his success varied depending on the weight class, the one constant in every division he fought in was his knockout power. Johnson was and remains a frighteningly powerful puncher.

After being cut from the UFC for missing weight multiple times, he was given a second chance and made his home in the light heavyweight division. Johnson was a terrifying force, demolishing former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis, two-time UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, current Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, and former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira.

His only losses in the division came against Daniel Cormier, an all-time great MMA fighter. Following his second loss to Cormier, Johnson abruptly retired from the sport.

He spent his time bodybuilding and pursuing other ventures. While he eventually returned to MMA, signing with Bellator, had he remained in the UFC, he'd have been a prime candidate to win the UFC title in the wake of Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier's departures from the light heavyweight division.

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#1. Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1)

For the majority of his career, Zabit was regarded as a future UFC champion at best, and a title challenger at worst.

At featherweight, he stood at an enormous 6 feet and 1 inch in height, dwarfing every fighter in the division. His stature is so towering that he stands an inch taller than one-time middleweight division title challenger Paulo Costa. Not only was Zabit spectacularly large for featherweight, he was highly skilled.

His kickboxing was sublime and dynamic, employing techniques from various martial arts such as Taekwondo, Muay Thai, western boxing, Tetsushin-ryū Kenpō, and more.

He kept his rear hand close to his chin, which he often tucked. He moved his head off the center-line when throwing punches, was a varied kicker, possessed slick footwork and lateral movement, and the kind of creativity and athleticism that enabled him to fight like no one else. His grappling was equally impressive. With a Sambo base, he made consistent use of outside trips and bodylock takedowns.

On the ground, he was just as skilled, having 7 submission wins on his record. His only drawbacks seemed to be his cardio issues and lack of heavy punching power. Still, from his skill-set alone, Zabit seemed to possess everything required to be a world champion.

Although he's now retired, Zabit will forever be remembered as a fighter who likely would have been a world champion had he stuck around beyond his final win over divisional elite Calvin Kattar.