5 times UFC fighters lost in their hometowns
Countless UFC fighters have fought on home soil. However, there's a difference between fighting in one's home country and one's hometown. At times, the support from a fighter's hometown crowd empowers them enough that certain fighters defeat opponents that they'd otherwise lose to.
Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Sometimes, UFC fighters crumble under the weight of expectation. Hometown fans throw the entire weight of their support behind their fighters and they expect to see them emerge victorious. But not every mixed martial artist can thrive under such pressure.
In other cases, fighters lose in their hometowns simply due to not being good enough to defeat their foes. From this list, five UFC fighters who have lost in their hometowns will be compiled and their devastating losses recounted.
#5. Antônio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs. Roy Nelson, UFC Fight Night 95
Antônio Silva is more widely known in MMA circles by his alias, 'Bigfoot'. The Brazilian bruiser was a towering titan in his heyday. He wasn't exceptionally skilled, but his combination of size and crushing punching power rendered him a staple of the UFC heavyweight division of yesteryear.
WATCH: Roy Nelson kicks referee after finishing Bigfoot Silva mmanewssource.com/watch-roy-nels… https://t.co/Dbe8oUjAXu
Unfortunately, 'Bigfoot's' durability began to fail him towards the second half of his career. In late 2016, the former 265'er was scheduled to face Roy Nelson in his hometown: Brasília. But what ensued was not a feel-good win that snapped Silva's then two-fight losing streak.
Instead, Roy Nelson—a renowned power-puncher—flattened his foe in the second round. It was a crushing loss but not the only of its kind. 'Bigfoot' had previously lost to Andrei Arlovski via KO in front of his hometown crowd as well.
#4. Dominick Cruz vs. Marlon 'Chito' Vera, UFC on ESPN 41
Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest bantamweights of all time. 'The Dominator' is a former two-time champion in the promotion's 135 lbs division. While he's always been exceptionally skilled and serviceable in all facets of MMA, his skill-set was perfected against the fighters of yesteryear.
Marlon “Chito” Vera knocks out Dominick Cruz
(California, 2022) 📸 @WalkNolan https://t.co/S4SGKuol1O
At UFC on ESPN 41, he had the chance to test the merits of his fighting style against an opponent from a new generation. Marlon 'Chito' Vera is a punishing striker who patiently stalks his foes and crushes them with unsuspecting power-shots once an opening provides itself.
That is exactly what he did against 'The Dominator' in front of his foe's hometown crowd in San Diego. He made Cruz pay for dipping his head low in such exaggerated fashion by intercepting him with a nose-crushing head kick that flatlined the former titleholder.
#3. Demian Maia vs. Colby Covington, UFC Fight Night 119
UFC Fight Night 119 took place in Demian Maia's hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. However, the event is remembered more for being Colby Covington's coming out party. Prior to that matchup, 'Chaos' was a barely-known fighter with no dedicated fanbase. But according to him, the promotion was threatening to release him.
Colby Covington handily defeats Demian Maia at UFC Sao Paulo: ‘Brazil you suck, you’re a bunch of filthy animals’ | themaclife.com/featured-posts… https://t.co/9snxc6yrcV
Their logic was that he was not an entertaining fighter that fans were excited to watch inside or outside the cage. The first step to proving them wrong was defeating Demian Maia in front of his opponent's hometown crowd. The former All-American handed his foe a lopsided decision loss before stealing the show.
In his post-fight interview, Covington cut an infamous promo during which he viciously insulted Maia's home supporters and the Brazilian nation as a whole. Not only did Maia lose the bout, but his relevance as a fighter became nonexistent under the massive shadow Covington cast over his division.
#2. Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 153
Alexander Gustafsson has had a very poor streak of luck against opponents named Anthony. His first loss in front of his hometown crowd in Stockholm was against the late great Anthony Johnson, who defeated him in dominant fashion via KO. It was an excruciating loss but 'The Mauler' bounced back.
After losing to Anthony Smith via submission, Alexander Gustafsson says "the show is over" and leaves his gloves in the octagon....
https://t.co/ZzWHWlFvKn
Years later, he faced Anthony Smith on home soil once again. The three-time title challenger was confident in his ability to emerge victorious. After all, he was known for having pushed Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to the limit. What test could 'Lionheart', who had 14 losses on his record at the time, possibly give?
To Gustafsson's misfortune, underestimating Smith was the beginning of the end. While 'The Mauler' had some good moments during the bout, he was ultimately overcome by his opponent and forced to surrender to a rear-naked choke in front of friends and family.
#1. Vítor Belfort vs. Lyoto Machida, UFC 224
Vítor Belfort is an MMA legend who captured a tournament title and the light heavyweight crown in the UFC during his storied career. But all good things must come to an end, and for a fighter whose career began in the late 90s, the foes he encountered in 2018 were a step too ahead of him.
Four years ago today, Lyoto Machida slept Vitor Belfort with a front kick
https://t.co/RA9aOIKs7R
In 'The Phenom's' final MMA bout, he faced fellow Brazilian, Lyoto Machida. Their fighting styles could not be more different. Belfort was a dynamic and extremely explosive striker with vicious finishing instincts, blistering speed and brutal power. Meanwhile, Machida was a patient and elusive counter-striker.
Belfort loved to charge after his foes, and Machida was a specialist in ensuring his foes always ran into a straight left. At UFC 224, 'The Phenom' ran face-first into his opponent's raised foot. A front kick crushed his chin and flatlined him in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro. His career began with a KO and ended with one.