To bastardize a quality quote from Oscar-winning Russell Crowe film, if you win the crowd, you’ll win a lengthy career. Option #2: Becoming a Fan Favorite (a.k.a.

It’s hard to get cut when you’re getting your hand raised more often than naught. Looking at it from the other way around, Nik Lentz doesn’t rate well on the popularity scale, but like DJ Khaled and his cast of contributors, all he does is win. Liddell slipped off into retirement and a position with the UFC, while Jardine hit the regional circuit before accepting a late opening opposite Gegard Mousasi in Strikeforce. We’ve seen it up-close and personal over the last few years in the UFC, as guys like Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardine – two wildly popular fighters – both found themselves on the outside of the Octagon after failing to earn enough wins in the cage. This one is a no-brainer, at least it should be.Īt the end of the day, you could be the most popular fighter in the sport, but if you go on a lengthy losing streak, the chances of sticking around get smaller and smaller. Longevity requires a blend of many elements, and we’ve got them broken down for you here. You’ve got to have more than an interesting angle or a tremendous background in one discipline to excel. One-dimensional fighters very rarely make it into the UFC Octagon anymore, often getting weeded out on their way up the ladder instead. Today, being the best character might buy you 15 minutes of fame and notoriety (see Browning, Junie), but that’s about all.

Conversely, Tank Abbott played up his “barroom brawler” persona to the hilt, knocked out a couple of warm bodies and rode the gravy train until the wheels fell off.Īnd who could forget Kimo? Carrying that cross to the cage against Gracie at UFC 3 put him on the map, and he remained there for another 12 years. Royce Gracie sure didn’t look like much walking in against guys twice his size, but since nobody knew how to deal with Gracie Jiu Jitsu, a legend was born.

Think back to the fighters who emerged from the early years of the UFC and you’ll see a collection of competitors who either had one serious weapon or an unbeatable schtick. There was a time when all you needed to be a successful MMA fighter was one dominant skill set and/or a decent gimmick. UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie A guide to maintaining career longevity in the UFC

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