5 UFC hype trains that have been derailed
The UFC has seen countless hype trains come and go. Some hype trains have emerged to justify the enormous faith that UFC president Dana White and upper management reserved for them.
Other hype trains, however, burn bright and fade quickly, never truly reaching the heights expected of them by fans, pundits, and even other fighters.
Conor McGregor is a prime example of a hype train that made good on the promotion's expectations of him. Not only did 'The Notorious' snap the 18-fight win streak enjoyed by former UFC featherweight champion José Aldo, but he went on to become the first simultaneous two-division champion in the promotion and the biggest pay-per-view draw in MMA history.
Unfortunately, not everyone is destined for the same level of success the Irishman experienced. Some are pushed too far too soon, ultimately failing when they find themselves overmatched against opponents who are better skilled and more experienced.
This list examines 5 UFC hype trains that were derailed before ever fulfilling the expectations the world had for them.
#5. Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant is an athlete of multiple trades. She's a mixed martial artist, bareknuckle boxer, and professional wrestler. VanZant's claim to fame, however, is her past as a UFC fighter in the promotion's strawweight and flyweight divisions.
At the height of her career, '12 Gauge' was 6-1. She attracted significant attention from MMA's casual fanbase due to her good looks and action-oriented fighting style.
Another UFC hype train derailed last night as Rose Namajunas bested a gritty Paige VanZant bit.ly/1lTkZDH https://t.co/zpPxxcxHGM
The UFC took notice, booking her in a matchup with future strawweight champion Rose Namajunas scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 80. Overmatched, VanZant was defeated by Namajunas via rear-naked choke in the 5th round.
However, the promotion remained undeterred, so when '12 Gauge' bounced back with a KO win over Bec Rawlings, she was again booked to headline another event, this time UFC on Fox 22 against Michelle Waterson.
It was the last headline bout of VanZant's career as she again lost to the very same submission that Namajunas used to best her. The promotion's hopes for a future star were dashed and VanZant went on to lose two of her last three MMA bouts before leaving the promotion with a 8-5 record.