Looking At Seven Unorthodox UFC Fighters Ahead Of 2025 Slate

Recalling among the most original athletes to ever grace the game of MMA.

The Most Unorthodox UFC Fighters Of All Time

Combined martial arts skillsets have developed at an astronomical price because the sport’s early days, to the purpose the place nearly everybody who competes within the UFC may be described as “nicely rounded”.

At present, let’s check out some unorthodox UFC fighters who’ve introduced their very own distinctive model to the Octagon.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida (26-12 MMA, 16-8 UFC) has gone down in historical past as one of many biggest fighters to ever compete contained in the Octagon. “The Dragon” fought within the UFC between 2007-2018 and captured the sunshine heavyweight title when he knocked out Rashad Evans at UFC 98.

The Brazilian introduced a captivating karate model into the Octagon, usually complicated opponents who struggled to determine him out, earlier than speeding onto him and falling prey to his vicious counter-striking.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Tony Ferguson

Few fighters have ever divided fan’s opinions like Tony Ferguson (25-11 MMA, 15-9 UFC) has. “El Cucuy” arrived within the UFC after profitable season 13 of The Final Fighter again in 2011 and went on a rampage, profitable 12 of his first 13 UFC fights to seize the interim light-weight championship when he submitted Kevin Lee at UFC 216.

A possible title unification bout with then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov slipped by the cracks after three seperate injury-induced cancellations, with one significantly unlucky incident leading to Ferguson being stripped of his interim belt.

Whereas the wheels have fallen off Ferguson’s profession in spectacular vogue in recent times, he’ll all the time be remembered for his absurd coaching strategies, his weird soundbites and his propensity to tug off ridiculous strikes contained in the Octagon.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Michael Web page

A comparatively new addition to the UFC roster, Michael “Venom” Web page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been bewildering opponents for over ten years contained in the Bellator cage earlier than making the change to the world chief in early 2024.

His lanky construct and eccentric motion assist him stand out from the pack and “MVP” has racked up a group of among the most gorgeous knockouts ever seen inside a cage, none moreso than his skull-shattering flying knee KO of Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos again in 2016.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Keith Jardine

He could by no means have fought for a championship belt, however Keith Jardine (17-11-2 MMA, 6-7 UFC) had a decent run within the UFC mild heavyweight division between 2005-2010. His model was fascinating to look at, largely due to how awkward he seemed contained in the Octagon.

“The Dean of Imply” appeared to lack steadiness, basic abilities and coordination, but nonetheless by some means picked up wins over legendary names within the division comparable to Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell.

Dominick Cruz

Former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has been bamboozling opponents along with his personal distinctive model of footwork for nearly 20 years. “The Dominator” dominated the roost at 135 lbs earlier than vacating his title after twice present process surgical procedure on a torn ACL again in 2011.

He ultimately returned after an nearly 3-year absence to win the bantamweight title as soon as once more, and continues to be part of the UFC roster as he waits for “one final dance” contained in the Octagon in some unspecified time in the future this yr.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Genki Sudo

Japanese star Genki Sudo (16-4-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) dipped his toes into the world of the UFC briefly between 2002-2004, choosing up submission wins over Leigh Remedios and Mike Brown both aspect of a defeat by the hands of Duane Ludwig.

“Neo Samurai” was recognized for his extravagant entrances and his dynamic grappling and racked up eleven submission wins throughout his brief however wildly entertaining profession.

Unorthodox UFC Fighters: Anderson Silva

The fight sports activities profession of Anderson Silva (34-11 MMA, 17-7 UFC) could have trickled to a lower than dignified finish in the previous few years by way of a stint within the squared circle dealing with the likes of Jake Paul, Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen, however for MMA followers of a sure classic, “The Spider” can be remembered as some of the mesmerising skills the UFC has ever seen.

Silva dominated the UFC’s middleweight division from 2006 till 2013, when a defeat in opposition to Chris Weidman (and a horrendous leg break within the rematch) kickstarted a shedding streak he would by no means recuperate from.

When he was at his finest, nevertheless, he was untouchable. Silva decimated any opponent the UFC put in entrance of him, along with his defeats of Final Fighter legends Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonner being significantly visceral and violent.