UFC fighters are known to make a name for themselves by showcasing their skills and fighting spirit. New MMA fighters who join UFC are looking for an opportunity to prove themselves and partaking in as many fights as possible helps them move up the ladder. While more seasoned fighters may choose to fight once or twice a year, others have to keep going to stay relevant in the game. However, there are a few UFC fighters who have not fought in more than a year. Who are they? Let’s find out.
5 UFC Fighters Who’ve Been Away From The Ring
5. Taila Santos
Brazilian mixed-martial artist, Taila Santos’s last appearance in UFC was on June 12, 2022. She was known to be among the toughest UFC fighters. Santos was on a four fight winning streak when she earned the title fight against Valentina Shevchenko. Shevchenko defended her UFC Women’s Flyweight title by a split decision. On the other hand, Santos was doing great in the fight until her eye swelled shut after an unintentional headbutt by Shevchenko.
The UFC fighter hasn’t fought since last year. She was supposed to face Erin Blanchfield earlier this year but couldn’t make it since her cornermen were denied US visas. Santos was replaced by Jessica Andrade who lost the fight to Blanchfieled. However, the 30-year-old will be back to face Blanchfield sooner than later.
4. Rose Namajunas
Two-time UFC Strawweight Champion, Rose Namajunas has been a part of some power-packed UFC fights. She is one of the UFC fighters who knows how to control her opponent and bring them down at the right time. After all, it was Namajunas who handed Joanna Jedrzejczyk her first-ever MMA defeat. However, her last fight wasn’t what her fans would’ve wanted to remember her after. She fought in UFC 274 against Carla Esparza on May 7, 2022. She lost her strawweight title to Esparza and decided to step back for a while following heavy criticism.
After over a year, Namajunas will fight against Manon Fiorot making her flyweight debut in September. The two-time title holder will have co-main event bout after the headliner match Ciryl Gane vs Sergey Spivak.
3. Colby Covington
Dana White recently announced Colby Covington’s return with a title challenge against the current UFC Welterweight Champion, Leon Edwards. While many fans of Covington’s fans are excited for his return to the Octagon, Edwards’ fans are not so thrilled with this idea. Cvington has not been inside the Octagon for over a year and fans find handing him the title fight unfair.
The former interim welterweight’s last fight was a UFC 272 main event against Jorge Masvidal on March 5, 2022. Covington has lost the fight to Madvidal.
2. Giga Chikadze
Georgian MMA fighter, Giga Chikadze is one of those UFC fighters who quickly made a name of his own among the UFC community. While he was making frequent appearance in the ring, Chikadze was considered one of the best strikers in the featherweight division. His smart moves and skills made him a great contender for a title match, and his seven-fight win was a proof of that. However, he faced a devastating loss to Calvin Kattar on January 15, 2022.
He was later booked to fight in a match against Sodiq Yussuf, but the 34-year-old withdrew from the bout due to injury. He hasn’t been seen in the ring since his last fight against Kattar.
1. Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic is definitely one of the UFC fighters that fans miss in the Octagon. His goodwill speaks for him as he has never been any legal troubles outside the ring nor has he indulged in any sort of trash talks with his opponents. However, much to fans disappointment, Miocic’s last appearance in the ring was two years ago in 2021. He had fought Francis Ngannou, who is known for delivering the strongest punch, where he faced a one-sided knock out loss on March 27, 2021.
Although, Miocic is set to make a return with a fight against Jon Jones at UFC 295 later this year. The former two-time Heavyweight champion will be 41 years old by the time he faces Jon Jones, which means it could be last bout in the ring. As one of the most chivalrous UFC fighters out there, Miocic praised Jones for bagging the Fighter of the Year Award.
“Good for him you know, that’s awesome. You do what you’re supposed to and you know you get a few prizes along the way. I mean like it’s great, good for him. I’m not worried about that though you know, he won the fight, good for him but like when it’s me and him it’s a different story.”
