5 UFC title challengers who were written off before their title fight
Challengers are often the underdogs when fighting for a UFC title. The champion is the favorite for a reason, right? It's only fair for the odds to typically sway in favor of the fighter who is atop the division.
Underdog @KevinCroom_mma blitzed and finished Roosevelt Roberts in 30 seconds in his UFC debut 🤯 #UFCVegas10 https://t.co/87HvarNf37
Being an underdog and being written off are very different scenarios. Whether it be the fans, the champions or both, some challengers have been looked at as if they were already defeated before the fight happened. Opposite to that is the air of invincibility that a belt holder can have.
Reaching the peak of the sport warrants a great deal of confidence, but the challengers are only a step behind and should not be taken lightly. While some champions have retained their belts after disregarding the task at hand, others have had to eat crow after losing their spot at the top.
Being close enough to challenge for the belt should earn some respect and recognition. It may not always be given, but it's always deserved. Whether it rang true that the challenger was the second best or if the champion and fans were wrong and the underdog won, overlooking an opponent is bound to happen in a sport where confidence is a must.
With that said, here are 5 UFC title challengers who were written off before their title fight.
#5. Anthony Smith vs. Jon Jones at UFC 235
While Jon Jones doesn't have a loss that holds any value to it, he still managed to find himself losing the belt via his antics outside the octagon. Jones was later eligible to fight again and took on Alexander Gustafsson, a commendable opponent who gave Jones a run for his money in their first match.
An impressive streak of three finishes put Anthony Smith in a position to request a title shot. The wish was granted and Smith was set to fight Jones at UFC 235. Not many people had faith in Smith to do what no one else had done, i.e., defeating Jon 'Bones' Jones. Rather, fans were already jumping ahead and seeing how the Daniel Cormier trilogy would turn out.
While the former champion made it clear that he and his team addressed Smith as a threat, that didn't mean that others gave him the same respect. Fans and fighters alike didn't give 'Lionheart' much of a shot to win this fight.
Come fight day, 'Bones' was a -900 favorite. He handily defeated Smith, although an illegal knee did stir up a disqualification fright for a moment. Smith showcased true heart and, to the surprise of many, hung in there until the final horn.