The UFC has long been a proving ground where legends are forged, but in this arena, triumph is fleeting for those who fail to time their moves and play their cards wisely.
Some fighters ascend to their full potential, while others struggle to break through the barriers holding them back. It's unfortunate to see those with the potential for success fall short of what they were meant to achieve, and what they could have ultimately become.
Popular MMA fan account Dovy on X recently polled their followers on who they believe took the "biggest L" in the UFC this year. The question sparked a flurry of responses from the MMA community, with many pointing to figures like Michael Chandler and Muhammad Mokaev as major candidates for this dubious distinction.
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Chandler has been sidelined since his third-round submission defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022, eagerly awaiting the realization of a highly anticipated bout with Conor McGregor.
Following that fight, "Iron" took on the role of coach opposite McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter 31, with the expectation that the two would clash sometime in 2023. Despite frequent speculation throughout the past year, the bout never materialized. It was eventually scheduled to headline UFC 303 this past June, but just over two weeks before the event, "The Notorious" withdrew due to an injury, leaving Chandler once again in limbo.
Many contend that, at 38 years old, the former Bellator MMA lightweight champion might have taken another fight in the interim to remain active and maintain his momentum.
In contrast, Mokaev's situation is markedly different. "The Punisher" was released from the UFC last month, a decision attributed by UFC CEO Dana White to a string of off-the-Octagon complications that led the matchmakers to hesitate in offering him a new contract.
Mokaev was riding an undefeated seven-fight streak in the Octagon and was widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in the flyweight division. With his dominant grappling-heavy style, he was seen as a potential future champion. But now, he’ll need to find a way back to rejoin the world’s premier MMA promotion.
Combat sports enthusiasts responded with a flurry of opinions on which UFC fighter experienced the most significant career downturn in 2024.
"Chandler, and he hasn’t even fought, lol. He was promised a fight vs. McGregor this year, but it got canceled, and then Dana White said in press conferences that the McGregor vs. Chandler fight won't be happening this year and that it will happen next year instead"
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"Clearly Mokaev lol"
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"Mokaev and Chandler might have to share this one"
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One fan proposed that the former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson deserves the nod, given he’s currently enduring an eight-fight losing streak.
"The guy with the longest 'L' streak in UFC history!"
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Another fan humorously suggested that he should be deemed the recipient of the "biggest L" of the year due to his string of unsuccessful betting parlays.
"Me on these UFC parlays"
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"Michael Chandler 100%, it’s been 655 days since he fought"
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One fan jokingly remarked that the real "biggest L" should go to the fellow fans who have had to endure the constant frustration of questionable decisions from UFC judges.
"The fans via robbery decisions"
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One user commented that it should be former longtime middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after experiencing the first back-to-back losses of his career, with his most recent setback coming against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
"Adesanya is having a rough year"
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"Mike Mallot. Hype train Derailed in his home town by Neil Magny"
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