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The UFC is the endgoal for most mixed martial artists. Achieving acclaim on the regional MMA scene or in less globally renowned promotions is typically meant to serve as a launching pad for ambitious fighters who hope to one day compete under Dana White's banner. Time, however, is of the essence.
MMA hopefuls are often wary of taking too long to sign with the UFC. Mixed martial arts is a young man's game. Thus, fighters who are past a certain age struggle to find success more often than not. Older fighters slow down and lose their durability and toughness after accumulating too much damage throughout the years.
This is why successful older fighters are a rare sight in the sport. Regardless, some mixed martial artists defy time's inevitable advance. With that in mind, this list compiles five UFC fighters, past and present, who achieved great success in their old age.
#5. Andrei Arlovski, UFC heavyweight
Modern-day MMA fans might not be familiar with Andrei Arlovski. Some might not even give him more than a passing glance due to his position in the UFC heavyweight rankings, or his lack thereof. The former UFC heavyweight titleholder is currently unranked in the divisional hierarchy.
At one point in time, 'The Pitbull' was on a concerning losing streak. Back in mid 2017, Arlovski had lost five consecutive bouts, with all but one of his defeats coming via submission or knockout. By then, the general consensus was that his durability was a former shell of what it once was.
At the time, he seemed wholly incapable of taking a shot. Years later, however, he has found his stride once more and is the victor in four of his last five fights. The 44-year old has found new life and has only lost twice in the last three years.
#4. Demian Maia, former UFC welterweight
Demian Maia is one of the most legendary grapplers to ever compete in the UFC. Besides Royce Gracie, it's difficult to pinpoint any other Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who is as synonymous with the promotion. Throughout his career, Maia was greatly feared by his foes for his abilities on the mat.
His rank as a fifth-degree BJJ black belt is well-earned, leading him to two separate title fights, first against Anderson Silva at middleweight, then later against Tyron Woodley at welterweight. During his run as a 170'er, the two-time title challenger achieved tremendous success.
Even as he aged and entered his forties, his only losses came against two undisputed champions in Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman, and an interim champion in Colby Covington. He even managed to amass a three-win streak that led to him handing Ben Askren his second defeat in professional MMA.
While he lost his last two bouts against Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad, his staying power was inimitable as his UFC career only ended in his forties.
#3. Yoel Romero, former UFC middleweight
Yoel Romero is one of the greatest athletes in MMA history. The Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling was a monstrous presence in the middleweight division during his time under Dana White's banner. Neither Chris Weidman nor Luke Rockhold were ever the same after facing him.
His combination of knockout power, explosiveness, muscularity and agility was terrifying. 'The Soldier of God' has never been dominated by anyone during his UFC run. Every single loss he suffered in the promotion was a bout that he made extremely competitive.
Many still argue that he defeated Paulo Costa and was simply the victim of an incorrect judges' decision. The same is often said about his second loss to Robert Whittaker, with even Joe Rogan claiming that the Cuban phenom won the bout.
Former champion Israel Adesanya was so wary of his knockout power that he refused to engage in any risky exchanges when they fought. Eventually, 'The Soldier of God' left the UFC for Bellator, where he has since flattened two of his last three foes via KO.
#2. Glover Teixeira, former UFC light heavyweight
Glover Teixeira is one of only two champions in the promotion to capture a world title in his forties. After amassing a five-fight win streak, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom challenged Polish power-puncher Jan Błachowicz for divisional supremacy.
It took him no more than two rounds to defeat his foe and capture the 205 lbs crown in one of the greatest journeys ever witnessed in MMA history. At 42 years old, he dethroned his division's ruling kingpin to enthrone himself as the best 205'er in the world.
In his subsequent fight, the Brazilian faced Jiří Procházka in his first title defense. While he was unsuccessful in turning away the willful Czech knockout artist, he made the back-and-forth fight extremely competitive by equally dueling with a foe that fighters many years his junior crumbled against.
Their bout earned Fight of the Year honors and is widely celebrated as one of the greatest fights in the sport's history.
#1. Randy Couture, former UFC light heavyweight/heavyweight
While his record might confuse fans who are unfamiliar with 'The Natural', Randy Couture is one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history. He has achieved unprecedented success in the UFC despite his open disagreements with the promotion's way of conducting business.
At the ripe old age of 43, 'The Natural' took a massive gamble by challenging then heavyweight kingpin Tim Sylvia for his divisional throne. Standing at six feet and one inch tall, Couture was much smaller than his foe, who stood at six feet and eight inches in height with a five-inch reach advantage.
Sylvia was not only much bigger, he was 13 years his junior and at the helm of a six-fight win streak that included two victories over former champion Andrei Arlovski. Regardless, Randy Couture stunned the world by dropping his foe in the first round and outwrestling him en route to a unanimous decision win.
Even after losing his title, Couture continued to find success as a fighter and ended his career with three wins in his last four bouts.
