5 most unlikely UFC record holders
The UFC's list of records is filled with exactly the kind of names you'd expect. Greats like Jon Jones, Max Holloway and Georges St-Pierre all hold a number of records between them.
While most of the UFC's record holders are bonafide legends, there are a handful of more surprising names in the books.
These fighters will almost certainly not go down as legends of the octagon. But for as long as they hold their records, they'll be part of the promotion's history.
Here are five of the most unlikely UFC record holders.
#5 Brad Tavares - most bouts in UFC middleweight history (24)
Technically speaking, Brad Tavares currently shares the record for the most bouts in UFC middleweight history with former 185-pound titleholder Michael Bisping.
This weekend, though, barring any last minute changes, Tavares will make his 25th octagon appearance when he faces Jun Yong Park. That fight will push him above Bisping and make him the solo record holder.
It's probably safe to say that while Bisping is a genuine legend of the octagon - taking his spot in the Hall of Fame in 2019 - Tavares hasn't quite reached that level.
The native of Hawaii joined the roster back in 2010 following a stint on TUF 11, and while he has cracked the top fifteen at 185 pounds at times, he's never really been in title contention.
That fact, coupled in with his less-than-exciting fighting style and low-key personality means that it's surprising he's lasted long enough to compete in 25 bouts.
However, consistency has been the key for the Hawaiian. Tavares has never lost more than two fights in a row during his lengthy tenure, and his octagon record of 15-9 is actually pretty solid.
Given that he's still only 36 years old, then, it's definitely conceivable that Tavares could crack 30 fights in the octagon, if not more, before he's done.
#4 Gillian Robertson - most submission wins by a female fighter in UFC history (7)
It's now been over a decade since the UFC introduced female fighters onto their roster, and in that period, things have expanded, with the promotion now running three womens weight divisions.
Given some of the major stars who've fought during that time period, many fans would probably guess that the female fighter with the most submission wins would be a big name.
Armbar expert Ronda Rousey, for instance, might be a good guess, as would strawweight Brazilian jiu-jitsu whiz Mackenzie Dern.
In fact, though, the female fighter with the most submission wins in UFC history is actually gatekeeper Gillian Robertson, who has fought at both 115 pounds and 125 pounds.
'The Savage' has never quite climbed into title contention, although she does currently sit at No.14 in the strawweight rankings.
However, nobody can question the Canadian's abilities on the mat. Remarkably, Robertson has secured seven tapout wins during her octagon career, with six of those wins coming at 125 pounds.
'The Savage' has largely used the rear naked choke as her primary weapon, with five of her wins coming that way.
Given her surprising longevity, too - she's now been around for seven years - this is a record that she could hold onto for some time.
#3 Gerald Meerschaert - most finishes in UFC middleweight history (12)
The UFC's middleweight division has boasted some of the most lethal finishers in the promotion's history over the years.
Legends like Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya and Vitor Belfort became renowned for dispatching their opponents violently at 185 pounds.
However, the fighter who holds the record for the most finishes in UFC middleweight history is actually one who's never even cracked the division's top ten. That fighter is Gerald Meerschaert.
'GM3' debuted in the octagon back in December 2016, and has been a regular of Fight Night events and preliminary cards since then. With a record of 12-9, he ought to be about as unmemorable as it gets.
Meerschaert, though, stands out for his ridiculous finishing abilities. Not a single one of his victories has ever gone the distance, and even more remarkably, he's only finished three opponents in the first round.
Given that 'GM3' has also been finished in five of his nine losses, it's probably fair to label him both a glass cannon as well as one of the promotion's most exciting fighters. It's no wonder he's stuck around for so long despite never climbing into contention.
#2 Rafael Dos Anjos - longest total fight time in UFC history (8 hours, 41 minutes, 49 seconds)
Given that the maximum amount of time a bout in the UFC can last for is 25 minutes, the fact that some fighters have racked up a total fight time of multiple hours is remarkable in itself.
When considering who might be the promotion's ultimate iron man, though, fans might assume that the record would belong to a fighter who's been involved in multiple title fights. After all, all title bouts (and headline fights) are five-round ones, whereas regular ones tend to be three rounders.
That's why it might be a surprise to learn that the fighter with the longest total fight time in UFC history is Rafael Dos Anjos.
Sure, the Brazilian is a former lightweight champion, but he has only been involved in four title fights during his octagon career. To add to that, one of them - against Donald Cerrone - lasted just 1:06 and stands as the fastest lightweight title bout in the promotion's history!
However, despite being a widely popular and respected fighter, 'RDA' has had a tendency to go the distance during his tenure with the promotion.
In fact, of his 35 octagon appearances, 22 have gone the distance, including ten five-round fights.
Given that 'RDA' is still ranked in the top fifteen at 155 pounds and doesn't seem to be slowing down as he approaches 40, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that he could end up with over ten hours of fighting under his belt. If he could pull that off, it'd be incredible.
#1 Forrest Petz - most knockdowns in a single UFC fight (5)
Over the years, UFC fans have been treated to some truly brilliant striking displays from some of MMA's greatest-ever kickboxers. The likes of Anderson Silva, Alex Pereira and Conor McGregor have all become wildly popular for their tendency to knock their opponents down in highlight reel fashion.
However, the fighter who holds the record for the most knockdowns in a single UFC fight is one so obscure that, no offense intended, he would barely be considered a footnote.
That fighter is former welterweight contender Forrest Petz, who had two stints with the UFC between 2006 and 2010.
After earning a contract thanks to a win over a young Dan Hardy, 'The Meat Cleaver' set his unlikely record in his octagon debut against TUF 2's Sammy Morgan.
Many observers predicted a competitive fight, but instead, the bout became unbelievably one-sided.
Petz dropped 'The Squeeze' twice in the first round, twice in the second, and once in the third. Quite how Morgan survived to go the distance was anyone's guess, but nearly two decades on, Petz's record of five knockdowns in a single bout remains.
Fascinatingly, this fight also remains the most lopsided decision in UFC history too, with judge Marcos Rosales scoring it 30-23 in favor of 'The Meat Cleaver'.