In MMA, records don’t really mean all that much, especially when compared to other combat sports. In boxing, for instance, records are very important and it is commonplace to fight low-level fighters at the beginning of one’s career simply to build their record before fighting top level competition.
In MMA though, who you have fought and your performances in those fights mean so much more than your record which really is just a number. Also, if you’ve never lost that probably means you’re not fighting top level guys anyway. Though the following fighter’s records may not be pretty, some of them are still elite level fighters and many have even achieved championship status despite losing plenty of fights.
5) Mark Hunt (13–11–1)
Mark Hunt is perhaps the best example of an elite level fighter with not a very good record. If you look at the guys he’s fought though, it really is no surprise.
He’s fought the who’s who at heavyweight and beaten some big names like Cro Cop, Wanderlei, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, Ben Rothwell and most recently Derrick Lewis.
Despite the so-so record, he is currently ranked as the 7th best heavyweight in the UFC.
4) BJ Penn (16–12–2)
B.J. Penn is, unfortunately, a recent addition to this list. At one point he had a very respectable record but now has lost his last 5 fights and hasn’t won a fight since 2010.
Penn is unfortunately now an example of a fighter who’s gone on too long.
Still, though, he’s a former 2 weight world champion and one of the greatest fighters of all time but has nothing more left to prove at this point.
3) Randy Couture (19–11)
Randy Couture is one of the greatest fighters ever and fought top level competition throughout his entire career.
That’s why it is no surprise that his record isn’t perfect. Throughout his career, he fought just about everybody at both light heavyweight and heavyweight.
A good chunk of those were championship fights too and he was a multiple time champion in both divisions before his retirement in 2011.
2) Matt Brown (20–16)
‘The Immortal’ Matt Brown is always a fan favorite regardless of his record.
Though he’s lost almost as many fights as he’s won, he is still a high-level fighter who’s beaten some big names in his career despite having a hard time as of late.
He’s beaten some very tough guys like Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Douglas Lima, and most recently Tim Means who is likewise very underrated himself.
1) Kevin Randleman (17–16)
The late, great Kevin Randleman is the former UFC heavyweight champion of the world despite having nearly a .500 MMA record.
‘The Monster’ was truly one of the most athletic fighters to ever compete in MMA and had some amazing performances in his career. Who can forget when he brutally knocked out Cro Cop or suplexed Fedor and slammed him right on his head?
He first won the UFC heavyweight title against Pete Williams at UFC 23 then defended the belt against dangerous striker Pedro Rizzo before going over to PRIDE shortly after where he had some epic fights.
