José Aldo and 4 UFC greats whose careers were turned upside down due to a loss
In the UFC, and indeed all of MMA, a loss can break a fighter's career. Similarly, a win can define a mixed martial artist's future in the sport. Conor McGregor—a former champion in the UFC featherweight and lightweight divisions—was launched into superstardom after his 13-second knockout win over legendary Brazilian champion José Aldo.
While Aldo rebounded from the loss by recapturing featherweight gold after McGregor abandoned the division, he lost it against Max Holloway, whose own legacy benefitted from his win over the Brazilian. In a similar vein, Justin Gaethje was elevated beyond the status of a WSOF export to a true title threat after snapping Tony Ferguson's historic 12-fight win streak.
While wins over specific foes can serve as launch pads, losses can cause demotions. This list looks at José Aldo and 4 other all-time great UFC fighters whose careers were forever changed by specific losses for one reason or another.
#5. Tony Ferguson
As things stand, Tony Ferguson has become a shell of his former self.
At the peak of his powers, 'El Cucuy' was an ominous presence in the UFC lightweight division. He helmed a 12-fight win streak that included the likes of former world champions such as Rafael dos Anjos and Anthony Pettis. An unorthodox striker with serviceable wrestling skills and exceptional Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Ferguson was a tireless buzzsaw who overwhelmed his foes with sheer volume.
Justin Gaethje: 19th win by KO/TKO in his MMA career.
Tony Ferguson: 1st loss since May 2012 (UD loss to Michael Johnson). https://t.co/Tn6PzALMYZ
Unfortunately, Ferguson's lack of fundamentals to glue his different skill-sets to a solid, consequential fighting system eventually caught up to him. When the UFC tried to book a matchup between 'El Cucuy' and longtime divisional rival Khabib Nurmagomedov for a fifth time, a global pandemic brought ruin to the promotion's plans. Fortunately, Justin Gaethje stepped in on short-notice.
Many expected Gaethje to be Ferguson's 13th consecutive win, but what ensued was a terrifying beating from which Ferguson never recovered.
For 5 rounds, Gaethje battered 'El Cucuy' until referee Herb Dean called the action, awarding 'The Highlight Reel' a TKO win. Since then, Ferguson has embarked on a winless streak, going from the No.1 lightweight in the world to a slower and more timid version of himself on a 5-fight skid.