UFC Fighters Who Lost Their Spirits

As of 2023, we are at the 30th year of the UFC. The organization have seen many fighters giving great fights that stood the test of time. While we as MMA fans have enjoyed watching the fights in fight cards, we also enjoy watching a fighter that’s either beloved or well respected succeed. These fighters give it all and shown once in their careers they were the best of the best. But as time moves on with the sport evolving, these same fighters begin to low their edge. And it’s more heartbreaking to watching these fighters not just lose what makes them great, but they lose their once burning spirit.

As of right now, Petr Yan has been on a slow spiral downward ever since he lost the bantamweight tittle against Aljamain Sterling in a controversial DQ. Although he won the interim title against Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen, he wasn’t able to capture the undisputed title against Sterling in a rematch at UFC 273 due to split decision. Then at UFC 280, he lost to Sean O’Malley in a controversial split decision. Now at UFC Vegas 71, he lost a major decision against Merab Dvalishvili. With the first two loses, it was the judges decision. With his recent lost, Petr Yan seems to lose the edge he once had when he was champion.

The next fighter on the list is Cody Garbrandt. The once bantamweight champion have been on a humongous downfall after losing the title against former teammate and rival TJ Dillashaw at UFC 217 & UFC 227. After that, Garbrandt then lost to Pedro Munhoz at UFC 235. He would get a performance of the night bonus for his late KO win of Raphael Assuncao in the end of round two, but his losing streak would come back with a decision lost against Rob Font, and a knock out lost against Kai Kara-France. Recently Garbrandt has gotten a win over Trevin Jones at UFC 285, so it might be a 2nd chance to redeem himself.

The third fighter on the list is Tony Ferguson. The man once known as El Cucuy who had a 12 win streak and was a interim lightweight champion, is now in a five fight lose streak. It once started at UFC 249 where he would lose to TKO by Justin Gaethje. On his next fight at UFC 256, he would be outstrucked and even out-grappled by Charles Oliveira. Then on his last three fights, he would have been ground and pounded by Beneil Dariush at UFC 262, gets knock out from a front kick by Michael Chandler at UFC 272, and gets submitted by Nate Diaz at UFC 279. With that, this has broken so many fans hearts to see the once fearful fighter is now a shell of their former self.

And finally, the last fighter on the list is the recent retired Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal had the best year in MMA on 2019, where he knockout Darren Till and Ben Askren, and won the BMF title against Nate Diaz by doctor stoppage. This seems to be the turning point for Masvidal to be pushed more to higher competition. Unfortunately, this would begin the downward spiral. Jorge would lose two straight match up against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The first fight was at UFC 251 where Masvidal would lose to a decision once again after finishing three of his last opponents. Then on the rematch, he was knocked out at UFC 261. Afterwards, he would faced his former friend and now rival Colby Covington at UFC 272, where he lost to a decision yet again. This fight would cause Masvidal to assault Covington at Florida, which caused the BMF champion to be arrested. His last fight was at UFC 287 against Gilbert Burns, losing to a decision. After his fourth consecutive lost, Jorge Masvidal has retired from the sport.