5 MMA legends whose records do not match their reputation
Whenever the greatest fighters of all time, both inside and outside the UFC, are discussed, their MMA records usually stand out, with the likes of Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre earning far more wins than losses.
While most of MMA’s greats have outstanding records, there are a number of legendary fighters whose records simply don’t match their reputation.
Rickson Gracie says it’s ‘hard for people to deny’ his 450-0 record, reveals the one ‘epic fight’ that got away (@guicruzzz) mmafighting.com/2022/5/30/2300… https://t.co/Az4FVUehyT
Often, this is because they stuck around for too long, suffering losses later in their careers, but other times, different reasons are to blame.
With that in mind, here are five MMA legends whose records do not match their reputation.
#5. Randy Couture – 19-11 MMA record
When it comes to legends of the UFC, there are few greater than Randy Couture. While he’s now persona non grata with the promotion, thanks to his willingness to butt heads with UFC president Dana White, ‘The Natural’ has a list of accomplishments that is difficult to top.
Debuting in MMA in 1997 following a successful amateur wrestling career, Couture went on to capture the UFC heavyweight title from Maurice Smith in just his fourth fight. He ended up reclaiming it on two separate occasions later on, with his third title win coming when he was 43 years old.
Add in the fact that Couture was also the first fighter to claim titles in two different weight classes when he won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2003, and it’s hard not to see the native of Washington state as a legend.
Jun24.2006
Former two division Champion Randy Couture becomes the 4th fighter in history to be inducted into the UFC Hall of fame. https://t.co/8MKjuZX4QP
However, it’s also safe to say that Couture’s MMA record of 19-11, on the face of it, is nothing special at all when compared to the gaudy ledgers of the likes of Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Many fans, in fact, would try to claim that no fighter with eleven losses to their name should be considered such a legend. In this case, though, they’re simply wrong.
Couture’s losses came from the fact that he basically never fought anything but the toughest competition available. The fact that he fought professionally until he was nearly 50 years old, something usually unheard of in the sport.
‘The Natural’ might not hold the greatest record, then, but his reputation should deservedly remain stellar.