5 fighters who came back from serious injuries to win UFC gold

#4. Rafael dos Anjos - Former UFC lightweight champion

Rafael dos Anjos is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. In fact, he is one of the most skilled.

Alas, those skills seem to crumble when he is not allowed to impose his primary pressure game. His heart and determination, however, can never be questioned. Back in 2010, Rafael dos Anjos faced Clay Guida, suffering a broken jaw en route to a dispiriting defeat.

The injury was serious, forcing the Brazilian to undergo surgery. After 11 months away, he returned with his jaw reinforced by four titanium plates and 20 screws. He amassed enough wins to finally challenge then-reigning lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, claiming the title in one of the most dominant championship performances in recent memory.

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#3. Frank Mir - Former UFC heavyweight champion

Legendary MMA heavyweight Frank Mir was already a titleholder prior to the severe injuries he sustained from his 2004 motorcycle accident.

He was fresh off a memorable submission win over Tim Sylvia for the vacant heavyweight championship. Not only did Mir win the title, but he earned his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt for the slick armbar with which he caught Sylvia in.

His celebrations, however, were cut short. Soon after, Mir was the victim of a motorcycle accident that left him unable to compete for two years. Stripped of the title, he underwent a long road to recovery.

Finally, four years after winning his first heavyweight title, Mir worked his way into an interim title bout against his idol Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The MMA world was left stunned as Mir handed Nogueira his first TKO loss, claiming the interim heavyweight championship at UFC 92.