5 times UFC fighters were too tough for their own good

#2. Kris Moutinho

Kris Moutinho [Image Credit: @kris_is_soulless via Instagram]

Kris Moutinho’s UFC debut at UFC 264 is clearly among the most memorable in the promotion's history. Moutinho kicked off UFC 264 against Sean O’Malley, who has become one of the sport's most popular fighters.

O’Malley was an overwhelming favorite and many were expecting him to make quick work of the debuting Moutinho. That was not the case as Moutinho took O’Malley's best shots and kept coming back for more. There were brief moments where Moutinho had O’Malley in trouble, but 'Sugar' recovered and poured on more combinations.

Although Moutinho earned respect from both fans and fighters, he did absorb 230 significant strikes. The level of punishment sustained by Moutinho makes him an example of being too tough for his own good.

---

#1. UFC TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) UFC 229 Khabib v McGregor: Weigh-Ins

Tony Ferguson's bout with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 tops this list for being too tough for his own good. Throughout his career, Ferguson has been one of the most durable fighters in UFC history and this bout proved it.

Ferguson, who was on a 12-fight winning streak, was scheduled to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight championship. The fight, along with many other previously scheduled UFC events, were then canceled due to the pandemic.

Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov was not meant to be as this was the fifth time the fight had been canceled. Instead of waiting, Ferguson chose to remain active and take the fight with Gaethje for the interim title.

UFC 249 was important for the UFC because it was the first event to take place in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. While other sports leagues were on pause, the UFC gathered their resources to come up with a way to continue. The event was held with no fans in attendance at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

Although Ferguson absorbed many significant strikes, he kept attempting to find the slightest opening to take advantage of. Ferguson caught Gaethje with an uppercut but that would end up being the only moment he had him in trouble.

Gaethje got the better of Ferguson in every exchange as the fight progressed into the later rounds. The echo coming from the empty arena really put into perspective just how hard Ferguson was being hit. If fans did not already admire Ferguson's toughness, they couldn't help but do so after watching him withstand all that punishment.

Gaethje continued connecting with strikes to the head of Ferguson before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight. Towards the end of the fifth round, Ferguson shook his head after an exchange, which is why the fight was stopped. Stopping the fight was the correct decision, but it arguably should have been made prior to the start of the round.