In the world of professional wrestling mid-card talents can be defined as capable wrestlers who are featured in matches that are usually considered to be one step down from the main event. This isn't a bad spot, as it allows for superstars to still appear in a prominent position and eventually move up into world title contention at some point during their careers.
So now, you may start to understand the comparison a little bit more. The five UFC talents that we've selected today are all great fighters, however, for one reason or another, they just haven't been able to piece things together to the point where they've been able to become World Champion. It's a shame, but it's just how things have collectively worked out for them.
That being said, they're still great at what they do which is one of the big reasons why they're still around in the company to this day. They're invaluable to Dana White because whilst they may not be the best in their division, they're able to put on fights that will get people talking and that's when the money starts flowing. Well, for the most part.
So with that being said, here are the five best midcard talents in the UFC today.
#5 - Travis Browne
Honestly, what happened to Travis Browne? One minute he was knocking guys out left right and centre and now he's pretty much guaranteed to lose against anyone he faces. That being said, Browne is a big enough name to the point where a win over him still matters in some regard and he's also still got a few years left in the tank in terms of trying to turn it around.
The Heavyweight division is certainly an unforgiving one and we don't envy any of the guys who step into the octagon with those hard hitters. Browne has the skill set to succeed at the highest level but always seems to fall at the final hurdle and we just can't piece together why. Whatever the case may be, he is now and will forever be regarded as a midcarder in that division unless something drastic changes.
We head down a few weight classes for our next selection.
#4 - Jim Miller
Jim Miller is quickly turning into the next Donald Cerrone when it comes to how many times he fights in a year. Everywhere we turn there appears to be yet another Jim Miller fight on the cards, and that's good news for everyone as he's always got a Fight of the Night up his sleeve. That being said, he's never quite been able to translate that into consistent success that leads to a title shot.
The closest he got was a title eliminator against Nate Diaz, who ironically enough will appear once again before this list is done. Miller is a capable hand in the UFC and is one of those fighters that never seems to go out of style, which is so useful in an age where more and more competitors are throwing their arms up in the air when it comes to drama behind the scenes.
Did someone say walk-off KO?
#3 - Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt is just great and we don't care who knows it. The Heavyweight powerhouse has one of the most fascinating and bizarre careers in all of MMA, and to this day he is still one of the toughest dudes in the business which is no understatement. Hunt embodies the ultimate midcarder as he can bounce straight back from a devastating loss with an equally devastating knockout.
He'll likely never reach the heights of the UFC Heavyweight Championship, but that's alright because his current position still allows fans to thoroughly enjoy his bouts. He's not the most technical fighter and he's not the most impressive looking, but that all means nothing when he steps inside the octagon and turns his opponents into jelly.
From a stocky gentleman to a rather tall one.
#2 - Alexander Gustafsson
Alexander Gustafsson always seems to come within inches of capturing a world title in the UFC only for it to be snatched away. So basically, he's the ultimate midcarder. No matter what the Swede does he can't quite piece his performances together to the point where he walks away with the championship belt, and that's a shame considering just how talented he really is.
He'll still rack up a multitude of victories over smaller guys, but that won't mean anything to him as championship gold is likely the only thing on his mind. Given the quality in his division, it doesn't seem likely that he'll attain it, but that's fine as we're happy to see his challenge and fail whilst also maintaining his status as one of the most underrated talents in all of MMA.
It's time for Mr 209.
#1 - Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz is one of the best talents within his division, and yet the only thing people can seem to talk about is his attitude. It makes sense as he always seems to be hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons, but his fights against Conor McGregor proved that he can be so much more than what he is if he applied himself correctly - but that'll never happen.
Diaz is destined to spend eternity in the midcard and that's not the worst idea in the world for him, as he'll still make a solid wage whilst simultaneously avoiding big time knockouts at the hands of superior athletes. We aren't saying there are too many of them out there, but we just can't envisage a scenario where Nate lifts a championship above his head.
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