5 UFC fighters that fans hate to see lose 

All too often fans of the UFC pick a favorite and stick with it. Part of what makes the sport so enthralling is the investment into a fighter's respective career.

At times, enthusiasts become so attached to fan favorites that they hate to see them lose. With some fighters reaching superstar status, the sport continues to evolve and fascinate.

Becoming a UFC fight fan has never been so immersive. With the emergence of social media, the fourth wall has been shattered and fans have been treated to another side of UFC athletes.

As the sport has grown to incredible heights, so have the career trajectories of many participants. With the ability to check in on a particular fighter just by the click of a mouse, enthusiasts have become entrenched in the sport.

There are some fighters that fans simply don't want to see face defeat. It could be because of their persona outside the cage, or their indomitable spirit inside the cage. Fans are always adamant about seeing their favorites exit the octagon with their hands raised.

Take a closer look at 5 fighters that fans hate to see lose.

#5. Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor

In 2013, a fuse was lit in Stockholm, Sweden, when Conor McGregor separated Marcus Brimage from consciousness. Following two fights with the UFC, the former Cage Warriors two division champion nailed his first headlining appearance.

During his rise, 'Mystic Mac' would go on to not only predict victory, but also the round in which he would score the finishing blow.

Conor McGregor's rise in the UFC has brought the company to a new level. The brash Irishman, with charisma only matched by the venum in his left hand, naturally attracted swarms of fans. After securing featherweight gold in a mere 13-seconds against featherweight great Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor's army was in full effect.

Following the procurement of a second UFC title, Conor McGregor became a household name around the world. As the Irishman made his mark on the fight game, his fanbase only seemed to swell. While his rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov may have angered some, overall, fans hate to see the original 'Champ Champ' lose.

Conor McGregor fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229

Despite enduring some painful setbacks in the lightweight division as of late, Conor McGregor remains a fan favorite. While the former two-division champion has struggled to chalk up a win in the octagon lately, his fans hate to see him lose regardless of where his record stands.

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#4. Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar is a UFC fighter that fans hate to see lose. Why? His blue-collar approach to fighting is a good starting point.

The former UFC lightweight champion defied the odds as an undersized fighter for most of his career. Surprisingly, even at featherweight and bantamweight, he appeared undersized.

During his UFC tenure, Frankie Edgar never made excuses, and never gloated after a big victory. With a focus on steady improvements day by day, 'The Answer' is a fighter's fighter and that's why fans hate to see him lose. The New Jersey native puts on action-packed fights with an exciting style.

With victories in three different weight classes, Frankie Edgar has garnered widespread favoritism after some gritty performances. Edgar walked through the fire against B.J. Penn in the process of capturing lightweight gold. In his second title defense, Frankie Edgar received 'Fight of the Night' honors against Gray Maynard in a fight that resulted in a draw.

In his move to bantamweight, 'The Answer' took on Pedro Munhoz. In a typical Edgar performance, he pushed the limits as did his opponent. In the end, both combatants would receive 'Fight of the Night' honors.

It has become increasingly clear over the years just how well cherished Frankie Edgar has become to the mixed martial arts community. Fans to this day hate to see him lose. However, in his last two UFC outings, the veteran has been on the receiving end of two highlight reel knockouts.

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#3. Former featherweight champion Max Holloway

Max Holloway returns to action this weekend against the No. 3-ranked Yair Rodriguez. En route to capturing the 145-pound title, Max Holloway has become a fighter fans hate to see lose in the UFC. 'Blessed' holds the distinction as the only American to secure gold at featherweight.

After defeating Jose Aldo twice, he became a fighter that fans never wanted to see in the losing column. The Hawaiian native became a fan favorite well before he became champion though. Following a war with Ricardo Lamas at UFC 199, the former champion will forever be known for pointing to the ground and throwing caution to the wind.

Max Holloway really turned fans after his performance against Brian Ortega. As a narrow underdog in the contest, Holloway shattered the masses' expectations after landing an obsene number of strikes against 'T-City'. The fight would ultimately get called off when a doctor's stoppage came in the fourth round.

Max Holloway has grown up in front of UFC fans and that's the driving force as to why they hate seeing him lose. When the Hawaiian entered the UFC, he was just entering his 20's and already a potent force on the feet.

However, Holloway was tasked with a tough debut when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier. To this day, the style of 'Blessed' makes him a fighter fans hate to see lose.

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#2. Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic

Two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic isn't just known for his octagon performances, but his heroics outside of competition. Stipe Miocic works as a part-time firefighter paramedic in Ohio, U.S. During his time as champion, his happy-go-lucky attitude penetrated through the stresses of holding UFC heavyweight gold.

In his epic trilogy against light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, many fans became endeared to both combatants before they even fought. In fact, before 'DC' challenged for heavyweight gold, he met with Stipe Miocic at his fire station to learn the lay of the land.

Similar to the aforementioned Frankie Edgar, Stipe Miocic isn't a big talker. However, his knockouts have turned an unfamiliar audience into followers who care whether he wins or loses.

When Cormier moved up in weight, he shocked the world and joined McGregor as a double champion. The Louisiana wrestler knocked Miocic out during a clinch exchange in their first encounter.

While the first fight's results were a bitter pill to swallow for the former champion, his jovial attitude around his training partners remains infectious. Before all was said and done, Miocic would earn his gold belt back after serving vengeance twice against Cormier.

Despite his quiet nature, fans hate to see a hero like Stipe Miocic lose in the octagon.

#1. Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone is a fighter fans hate to see lose. The former title challenger's meaningful path has been filled with ebs and flows but made public the entire trot.

Making his UFC entrance in 2011, the former Jackson-Wink fighter stole the show constantly with his ability to score emphatic knockouts and unexpected submissions.

After his first loss to Rafael dos Anjos in 2013, 'Cowboy' would go scorched Earth and fire off 8-straight victories. Along his exciting UFC journey, the lightweight became known for his activity and his 'anytime, anywhere' attitude towards fighting.

Donald Cerrone earned a shot at the title in 2015. However, he would once again face Rafael dos Anjos, who was more motivated than ever to secure his first title defense.

After scoring a vicious TKO against 'Cowboy', dos Anjos would shut the door on any future 155-pound title opportunities. Even in defeat, Cerrone's fan-favorite style makes him a veteran many hate to see lose.

With the in-depth perspectives offered to UFC enthusiasts, the audience has a vested interest in the manner in which a fight plays out. UFC fighters like Donald Cerrone are hard to watch lose. But part of what makes the UFC adventure so special are the highs and lows accompanied by the ride.

Which UFC fighters do you hate to see lose?