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Humility is a rare virtue among UFC fighters, especially in the modern era. A promotion initially created with the purpose of comparing different martial arts, the UFC has been greatly influenced by money, like almost all sports in the world.
Still, a few UFC champions have managed to remain grounded. They have managed to reach the pinnacle of the sport while staying true to their value system, always making it a point to treat their opponents with respect and humility.
Here are five UFC champions who are known for being humble. Note: This is not an exhaustive list.
#5 Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos
Junior dos Santos parted ways with the UFC recently, with a poor run of form coinciding with the promotion's desire to move towards a younger roster.
'Cigano' won the UFC heavyweight championship in November 2011 and defended it once before blowing hot and cold over the next few years. Dos Santos experienced a brief career resurgence in 2018 and 2019 as he won three fights on the trot, but ended his UFC career on a four-fight losing skid.
Throughout the highs and lows of his UFC career, the Brazilian always remained grounded irrespective of the result. Even during his most competitive rivalries, such as the one with Cain Velasquez, he praised his opponents and treated them with respect.
“I welcome fighting Cain again because Cain is the most talented fighter out of all my competition. To be the best, you have to fight the best, so I don’t ever want to take an easy fight. Fighting a guy like Cain requires me to train as hard as I can, and to give my all, and that’s what I want,” Dos Santos once said.
#4 Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic has never been the first name on anyone's lips, even when it comes to discussing humble UFC champions. However, the former UFC heavyweight champion has always been classy in victory or defeat, and has one of the most fulfilling lives outside the octagon as a firefighter.
Miocic is arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time, having recorded the most heavyweight title defenses in UFC history (3). He has several UFC legends on his resume and even holds a win over the most feared heavyweight of this generation, Francis Ngannou.
Miocic lost his title to Ngannou in violent fashion and is spending valuable time on the sidelines as he reaches the twilight of his career, but it would be criminal to count him out from reclaiming his belt. The Cleveland native's humility and self-awareness will go a long way in him correcting his flaws and reaching the pinnacle of the division once again.
#3 Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson now plies his trade in ONE Championship, where he recently suffered a devastating KO loss to Adriano Moraes. However, 'Mighty Mouse' remains one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time and a true gentleman outside the cage.
Johnson once said:
"There’s always going to be someone coming up in the division or in the world. There’s probably the baddest man on the planet at 125 and he’s just not signed to the UFC yet. So I keep a clear head, keep on training, and train for the best fighter in the world."
"I don’t obsess over the idea that there’s somebody else out there who’s training to beat me. I know I’m the best in the world right now, and I’m gonna keep on training to keep trying to be the best in the world, but you never know, all it takes is that one day and the next thing you know, you get knocked off and you don’t have the belt anymore."
Johnson's modest approach shouldn't be mistaken for weakness. He recorded 12 flyweight title fight wins, the third-most in any UFC division, and has the joint-most consecutive title defenses in UFC history. The 35-year-old has always credited his opponents and carried himself with decorum.
#2 Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre has always been one of MMA's nice guys. 'Rush', who is widely regarded as the greatest welterweight of all time, holds a plethora of records and accomplishments in the UFC. But in an era which increasingly moved towards trash-talking and antics outside the octagon, he held his own as a dignified fighter who carried himself with pride.
St-Pierre was a true martial artist, one who embodied the virtues of the disciplines he practiced. The same belief system made itself felt in the UFC as he put together several defenses of the welterweight title and later made a comeback to become a two-division champion by capturing the middleweight strap against Michael Bisping.
St-Pierre is on MMA's Mount Rushmore, and his humility has given him an edge over some of the others on the mountain in the eyes of many fans.
#1 Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov shockingly retired last year after fighting Justin Gaethje and is now coaching his teammates and close friends. 'The Eagle', who carved a niche for himself as a humble, motivated lightweight, has always treated his opponents with respect and grace.
Some rivals like Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson have pushed him over the edge, but Khabib has never been the instigator behind any disagreements. He has preferred to let his actions in the octagon do the talking, amassing an undefeated 29-0 record that culminated in his third defense of the UFC lightweight title.
Even after retirement, Khabib has been modest. He has refused to name himself as the undisputed GOAT as many fans and fighters believe, instead choosing to put himself on the same pedestal as the other great fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.
