In the world of mixed martial arts, navigating a career in the UFC is fraught with challenges and potential missteps. While some fighters like Sean O’Malley have seemingly mastered the art of career progression, others have stumbled significantly, with their errors costing them dearly. Some fighters have managed to bounce back from their mistakes, but for others, these errors have derailed their careers entirely, preventing any chance of a comeback.
One of the most notable missteps occurred in 2007 when Brandon Vera, a rising star in the UFC’s heavyweight division, flirted with a move to Elite XC. At the time, the division was led by the unpopular champion Tim Sylvia, and fans were eager for a new champion. Vera, who had quickly made a name for himself with a series of wins including a TKO over former champion Frank Mir, was in the perfect position to challenge Sylvia. However, his decision to entertain an offer from Elite XC while under contract with the UFC led to his being sidelined by the organization. This move cost him the title shot and his momentum, and despite returning to UFC, he never regained his former trajectory.
Another misstep was made by Germaine de Randamie in 2017 when she refused to fight Cris Cyborg. The women’s featherweight division, which was scrapped in 2023, was originally intended to be built around Cyborg. However, when de Randamie won the inaugural title in a fight against Holly Holm, she found herself in a position to defend her belt against Cyborg. Citing Cyborg’s past doping issues, de Randamie refused the fight, leading to her being stripped of the title and missing out on what could have been the biggest payday of her career.
In 2023, Alexander Volkanovski’s decision to take a fight with Islam Makhachev on short notice was seen as a major career misstep. Volkanovski, the featherweight champion at the time, was looking to become a double champion by taking on the lightweight kingpin. Despite a valiant effort, he lost a close decision. Later that year, when he took a rematch on just ten days’ notice, he suffered a knockout that damaged his previously unbeatable image. This decision is viewed as a significant error in judgment, particularly as it led to him losing his featherweight title shortly after.
Nate Diaz’s decision to sit out from the UFC following his blockbuster fights with Conor McGregor in 2016 is another example of a career misjudgment. After the massive success of their two fights, Diaz had the opportunity to capitalize on his newfound fame. However, he chose to go on hiatus, feeling that the UFC was not offering him enough money. This hiatus lasted three years, and by the time he returned, the momentum he had built had largely dissipated, leading to a missed opportunity to make millions.
The most egregious career misstep, however, belongs to TJ Dillashaw, who in 2019 decided to drop to flyweight in pursuit of a second title. Having dominated the bantamweight division, Dillashaw set his sights on flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. The drastic weight cut visibly affected his health, and he was quickly defeated by Cejudo. To compound the issue, Dillashaw tested positive for EPO, resulting in a two-year ban and the relinquishment of his bantamweight title. This decision not only harmed his health but also irreparably damaged his career, as he never returned to his previous form and retired in 2022.
