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As host to the emotionally charged sport of MMA, the UFC has produced several heartwarming stories over the years.
In storytelling terms, a redemption arc is said to have occurred when a character repents for what they have done and goes through a series of difficult changes to transform themselves. In the context of MMA, we categorize such fighters as those who have overcome several challenges within and outside the UFC before finally achieving something historic - in other words, winning a belt.
Here are five UFC fighters with a brilliant redemption arc.
#5 UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira
Less than four years ago, UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira was nothing but a journeyman in the promotion with almost as many losses as wins. The way he has redeemed himself after being completely mediocre is nothing short of inspirational.
Post his loss to Paul Felder at UFC 218, where he appeared to tap out to strikes, Oliveira didn't have too many supporters. Fans accused the Brazilian of "quitting" when the going got tough, and the fact that he was not only extremely injury prone but also not easily marketable didn't help his cause.
But since then, Oliveira has been on a tear. His jiu-jitsu skills that have always been there have become better, and his striking - particularly his Muay Thai - has has improved by leaps and bounds. More importantly, 'Do Bronx' has shown that he doesn't have quit in him - as recently as his UFC 262 bout against Michael Chandler.
After 11 years and almost 30 UFC fights, Oliveira finally laid hands on the strap by knocking Chandler out. Now on a nine-fight win streak in the UFC and the proud owner of the 155-lbs belt, his redemption arc could be made into a movie.
#4 Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington
It might be the perfect irony to claim that UFC welterweight Colby Covington has redeemed himself. After all, he's one of the most hated fighters in the UFC, with his politically charged, brash persona making him fall out of favor with several fans.
However, Covington is a unique case, for this persona - and the decision he made to move towards it - not only kept him in the promotion but also found a new section of fans intent on supporting him.
According to accounts from Covington and his manager, the legitimacy of which hasn't been verified, he was going to be cut from the UFC after the October 2017 show in Sao Paulo, irrespective of the outcome of his fight against Demain Maia. 'Chaos' was on a four-fight win streak at the time and had lost only once in eight UFC appearances, so it might seem ludicrous that he would've been cut.
But Covington wasn't anywhere near a big draw then, and needed a way to ensure that people tune into his fights. After an infamous call-out of Brazil post his win over Maia, he kept his place in the promotion and won the interim welterweight title in his next fight against Rafael dos Anjos.
Now undoubtedly one of the best welterweights on the planet and a key component of the UFC, Covington has redeemed himself in a unique way.
#3 UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno
The UFC reportedly almost cut Colby Covington, but they definitely cut current flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. In late 2018, after losses to Sergio Pettis and Alexandre Pantoja, 'The Assassin Baby' was removed from the UFC's books as the future of the 125-lbs division hung in limbo.
After moving to LFA and beating the flyweight champion Maikel Perez via fourth-round knockout, Moreno was afforded another chance with the UFC. In his return fight, he drew with Askar Askarov in an entertaining fight that could've been ruled in his favor.
Since then, Moreno has never looked back. After wins over Kai-Kara France, Jussier Forniga and Brandon Rovyal, he contested for the gold against Deiveson Figueiredo. Not to be deterred by another draw on his record, the 27-year-old finally got the strap wrapped around his waist with a magnificent performance at UFC 263.
From being cut by the UFC to becoming the champion and one of the most loved fighters on the roster, Moreno has come a long way.
#2 UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz recently defended his title for the first time, defeating striking savant Israel Adesanya with a powerful grappling display. But things haven't always come easy for the 38-year-old, who had an extremely difficult start to his UFC career.
Blachowicz lost four of his first six fights in the promotion, all via decision. He was on the verge of being cut, but a UFC card in Poland - where he hails from - presented him with one final opportunity to revive his career. 'The Prince of Cieszyn' submitted Devin Clark in the second round and hasn't looked back since.
Blachowicz has won nine of his last 10 UFC fights, with a loss to former title challenger Thiago Santos interrupting wins over Dominick Reyes, Corey Anderson, Luke Rockhold and Jared Cannonier, among others. Now the UFC light heavyweight champion, the Pole has silenced his doubters and justified his abilities.
#1 UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
If there's one UFC fighter who must have a biopic made out of their career, it's heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. His arduous journey from Africa to France and then to the UFC has been well-documented, making for a brilliant story of redemption.
But even within the UFC, Ngannou has had to face many obstacles. After a pair of one-sided losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, 'The Predator' was at a crossroads in his career, with many claiming that his limited skillset had been exposed. Then, after brushing aside a few opponents, he found fights extremely difficult to come by.
Ngannou barely spent a couple of minutes in the octagon before meeting Miocic for the second time, but he showed how much he has grown in a dominant performance to win the title.
Now, the Cameroon-born fighter faces another obstacle in the form of the UFC making an interim heavyweight title fight between Lewis and Ciryl Gane. But it's safe to say that Ngannou has already redeemed himself after going through a lot of hardship.
Also Read: 3 times the UFC appeared to set up a fight to spite someone
