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The UFC is without a modicum of doubt, the world's premier Mixed Martial Arts promotion today. However, as is the case with most industries, the MMA sphere has also witnessed several other organizations try their level best to beat the UFC.
While the vast majority of combat sports fans and pundits view Bellator MMA as the clear number-2 Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the world, companies such as ONE Championship, Professional Fighters League, Rizin FF, and several others have been putting forth their own events worldwide. While said events may not be as high-profile as those that are organized by the UFC, they are still highly reputable in their own right.
As of late, several notable former UFC fighters such as Rich Franklin and Miesha Tate have signed with ONE FC as a part of the promotion's corporate team. Additionally, ONE FC has also managed to sign active ex-UFC fighters such as pound-for-pound great Demetrius Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, Sage Northcutt, as well as several other talented combatants from all over the world.
Today, we take a special look at a few current UFC fighters who could go to ONE Championship in the near future. A potential move to ONE Championship could not only benefit their brand but also give them adequate time to take advantage of a few greater opportunities the promotion accords its fighters...
#5 Robbie Lawler
'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler is widely regarded as one of the most violent fighters of all time. Lawler previously held the UFC Welterweight Championship and had a highly exciting reign with the title -- known for his all-out wars with Johny Hendricks (2x), Rory Macdonald (2x), and Carlos Condit, among countless other entertaining fights.
However, apart from his KO loss to current champion Tyron Woodley, Lawler's biggest problem has been that most fighters out-wrestle him and beat him on the judges' scorecards. Well, considering that former ONE Welterweight Champion Ben Askren is now in the UFC and all set to face Lawler this year; it only makes sense for Lawler to leave the UFC and join ONE Championship if he loses to Askren.
Askren is the clear favorite to out-wrestle and defeat Lawler, and should the latter sign with ONE Championship, he'd probably have an easier time there owing to the fact that ONE Championship's Welterweight division primarily comprises strikers and not high-level wrestlers.
#4 Mark Hunt
Akin to Robbie Lawler, Mark Hunt's biggest weakness has been his grappling. Hunt almost always ends up getting out-wrestled, and although his BJJ has improved in recent years, he still has a very hard time against good wrestlers -- with most of his fights ending as decision losses to the superior wrestlers.
Hunt fought out his contract with the UFC in 2018, and is now a free agent. Ergo, it's highly possible that 'Hunto' could end up fighting for either Bellator MMA or Rizin FF this year. Nevertheless, given that ONE Championship does have a Heavyweight division, Hunt could probably make a splash over there.
The current ONE Heavyweight Champion is former UFC fighter Brandon Vera, who happens to be a great stylistic matchup for Hunt. The latter could potentially sign with ONE Championship, fight Vera, and win the ONE Heavyweight Title.
After all, Hunt is known for his KO power, and no matter how old a fighter gets, power is always the last thing to go.
#3 Chris Weidman
Chirs Weidman is a former UFC Middleweight Champion, and the man who was once considered by many as a potential pound-for-pound great, is now being viewed as someone who has taken way too much damage in his young career. 'The All American' has lost 4 fights by way of brutal KO/TKO, and has only managed to win one fight since being dethroned by Luke Rockhold.
To be honest, Weidman seems to be facing problems with the UFC's unforgiving and mercilessly high levels of striking. Perhaps the former UFC Middleweight Champion could benefit from a move to ONE Championship, where the Middleweight division primarily consists of grappling specialists. Let's face it, Weidman is a phenomenal grappler!
Weidman can use his grappling excellence to dominate the Middleweight division in ONE Championship, and slowly rebuild his striking game before eventually returning to the UFC in order to regain the UFC 185-pound title.
#2 Travis Browne
Travis Browne's career took a turn for the worse after getting knocked out by his friend and former training partner Andrei Arlovski back in 2015. 'Hapa' has gone 1-4 after the Arlovski fight, with his performances looking increasingly worse as time goes by.
The towering Hawaiian fighter is on a 4-fight losing streak and has been struggling to get back in the win column. However, the 6'7" KO artist has always been regarded as a naturally talented combatant, and could likely turn things around if he moves to ONE Championship.
This isn't a meant to be a knock on ONE Championship, but rather praise for the UFC -- in the sense that, often times, fighters need to step away from the UFC's famed Octagon and rebuild their careers elsewhere, before returning to the UFC. Browne could easily restructure his striking game, whilst also adding better wrestling fundamentals to his arsenal in ONE Championship.
#1 Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
The UFC Light-Heavyweight division has experienced a sudden resurgence as of late, with the return of Jon Jones, as well as the emergence of new contenders such as Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker. However, somewhere in the mix, you always happen to find the name of one Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua.
The former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion has suffered several brutal beat-downs over the course of his career, but still somehow manages to dust himself off and move forward. Shogun suffered a brutal KO loss to Anthony Smith, but got back on track with a come-from-behind TKO win over Tyson Pedro.
Regardless, both of his aforementioned fights that took place in 2018 saw Shogun take a considerable amount of damage. At this point in his career, he'd be better-suited dealing with more of a grappling-based matchup -- something Shogun will find in abundance at ONE Championship.
Which UFC fighters would you like to see go to ONE Championship? Sound off in the comments!
