Nate Diaz and 5 of the toughest UFC fighters
In the UFC, toughness is a desired quality among the promotion's fighters. While possessing competent skills in wrestling, striking, and grappling are fundamental to preparing fighters for the countless variables in mixed martial arts bouts, there is another more intangible trait that is just as important. Fighters need the mental and physical fortitude to endure the struggles of a fight.
The greatest comebacks in UFC history are due to a fighter's refusal to yield despite the brutal and lopsided beatings that they endured. They survive long enough to find a single Hail Mary shot that knocked their foes unconscious like current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards' thunderous head-kick win over Kamaru Usman.
Some fighters, however, don't mount successful comebacks. Instead, they earn moral victories by not being finished in their bouts. With UFC 279 being headlined by Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson, two of the toughest fighters on the roster, this list looks at 5 of the toughest UFC fighters currently signed to the promotion.
#5. Brian Ortega
Two-time UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega is arguably the toughest featherweight in the UFC. Like many fighters on this list, Ortega's toughness is partly due to necessity.
As a striker, he is a decent puncher with serviceable power in his shots. Unfortunately, his defensive striking is lacking as 'T-City' is an offensively minded fighter. He fights from mid-range and always looks to answer his opponent's punches with his own strikes.
He keeps his hands low and doesn't move his head off the center-line. Furthermore, he doesn't retreat from exchanges nor does he circle into open space. Instead, Ortega stands in front of his foes so that he's always in a position to return fire.
Unfortunately, this also leaves him in position to be struck. Thus, in order to implement such a risky fighting style, 'T-City' required a granite chin and an iron will.
My man @BrianTcity never went down ONCE during all of that. Too tough.. Congrtas @BlessedMMA
@UFC
#GreatFight #UFC231 https://t.co/9McGiKwsRW
No matter how brutal the beating, Ortega stands either at mid-range or inside the pocket, always ready to trade punches with his foes. Against Max Holloway, Ortega was bloodied and battered but never ceased marching forward despite his left eye swelling shut.
He absorbed 307 strikes, 290 of which were significant strikes. Yet Ortega never yielded. Only a doctor stoppage could bring an end to the bout.
Similarly, 'T-City' waged a brutal war against reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Ortega was bloodied and badly beaten during the matchup. Furthermore, he blew out his arms during a desperate attempt at a guillotine choke, but he never surrendered.
Even after absorbing 229 strikes, 214 of which were significant, he fought till the very end to survive a 5-round assault.