Dominick Cruz and 4 other UFC legends on the decline
Time is undefeated. UFC fighters, past and present, have all come to know that universal truth. Some mixed martial artists retire before the effects of aging become apparent. Other fighters, however, compete long beyond their athletic prime, turning their fights into showcases of their physical decline.
The likes of Donald Cerrone and B.J. Penn are classic examples of UFC fighters who refused to retire before accumulating an unnecessary string of losses that ultimately sullied their records. On the other side of the coin, Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov both retired before age could negatively impact their performances.
Unfortunately, the UFC still plays host to a range of equally legendary fighters who no longer perform as they used to. Dominick Cruz's recent loss to Marlon 'Chito' Vera at UFC on ESPN 41 was the latest case of a fighter on the decline. Thus, this list examines 5 UFC legends who are on the decline.
#5. Holly Holm
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm will forever be known for snapping Ronda Rousey's unbeaten MMA run in one of the most spectacular championship performances in UFC history.
Sadly, soon after capturing UFC gold from Rousey at UFC 193, Holm herself lost her undefeated record in her subsequent bout with Rousey's divisional rival Miesha Tate.
After a 5 round battle, Ketlen Vieira defeats Holly Holm at #UFCVegas55 💪 https://t.co/uyK7Wsb0HI
During her athletic prime, Holm was a counter-striker whose use of lateral footwork and sharp pivots stumped her foes, walking them into her counterpunches and patented high kicks. However, as Holm aged and her natural speed undercut the effectiveness of her own movement, she struggled to remain the same fighter. Forced to become a clinch fighter, Holm's bread and butter became leaning on her opponents against the fence with an over-under grip.
While Holm has won and lost a few fights, her recent loss to Ketlen Vieira was evidence of how much her age was affecting her. The 40-year old seemed significantly slower, with her footwork all but a thing of the past.