5 undefeated UFC fighters who never recovered after a loss
Undefeated fighters are rare gems in the UFC. They draw the audience's attention in a manner that most fighters can't. Intrigue follows them wherever they go. Some fans are eager to see just how far an undefeated fighter can extend their unbeaten run. Others, however, are desperate to see them finally taste defeat.
Fighters who have never lost are often put under a microscope. Analysts and fellow mixed martial arts examine their careers to determine whether their records were padded with stylistically favorable matchups.
At some point, most fighters are undefeated, with the exception of mixed martial artists whose first fight was a loss.
However, the true anomalies are the UFC fighters who are able to embark on long win streaks. Eventually, all who were once undefeated inevitably tasted defeat. Khabib Nurmagomedov is an exception, having retired relatively young and at the peak of his physical prowess. Others are not so fortunate. Thus, this list looks at 5 UFC fighters who never recovered after finally losing.
#5. Edmen Shahbazyan
At the time of his emergence in the UFC, Edmen Shahbazyan was a highly touted prospect. Shahbazyan's former training partner and one-time manager Ronda Rousey once heralded him as a future champion. After watching 'The Golden Boy' earn his third UFC win to improve his overall MMA record to 11-0, many began to back Rousey's assessment. Shahbazyan put on a striking clinic in his bout with Brad Tavares before finishing the extraordinarily tough Hawaiian.
UFC free fight: Derek Brunson derails Edmen Shahbazyan's hype train in Vegas
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With youth on his side, Shahbazyan was expected by many to become a future title contender before reaching his physical prime. Unfortunately, the UFC's decision to fast-track him up the middleweight rankings led to an immediate stop to 'The Golden Boy's' momentum. At UFC Fight Night 173, Shahbazyan faced Derek Brunson in a brutal one-sided affair. At several points, Shahbazyan looked as if he no longer wanted to take part in the fight.
Finally, in the early stages of the 3rd round, Brunson TKO'd his foe to hand Shahbazyan his first loss. 'The Golden Boy' did not recover from it, losing his next two bouts against Jack Hermansson and Nassourdine Imavov as he tumbled down the rankings. No longer spoken of as a title threat, Edmen Shahbazyan has faded into the background of the division.