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The UFC on a whole is a highly unpredictable promotion. Each year seems to produce more surprises in the octagon, whether they come in the form of stunning comebacks or upset wins.
2021 has seen some massive surprises in the UFC, with some fighters in particular performing miracles to produce some highly unlikely success stories.
With fighters returning from years on the shelf to pull off big wins, and others debuting in the UFC with little fanfare only to knock off highly rated prospects, 2021 could easily be seen as the year of the underdog.
With that considered, here are five of the most unlikely UFC success stories of 2021.
#5. Chris Daukaus – UFC heavyweight contender
When Chris Daukaus debuted in the UFC in August 2020, the idea that he’d climb the ladder into genuine contention for the UFC heavyweight title seemed laughable.
Not only did he have a completely unremarkable MMA record – 7-3, with one of his loses coming at the hands of UFC washout Zu Anyanwu – but he also didn’t look to be in the best shape. This all instantly created doubt that he could be a success in the octagon.
Daukaus quietened those doubters somewhat in 2020, proving that he did belong in the UFC with stoppage wins over Parker Porter and Rodrigo Nascimento. However, nobody really expected his success story to continue into 2021 – particularly when he was matched with veteran gatekeeper and grappling whiz Alexei Oleinik in February.
Incredibly, though, Daukaus once again demonstrated that he had surprisingly fast hands for a big man. He dropped ‘The Boa Constrictor’ inside two minutes before finishing him off.
Seven months later, Daukaus was back to produce his fourth UFC finish in a row. This time, he knocked off the tough Dagestani Shamil Abdurakhimov, claiming his third $50k performance bonus in the process.
Daukaus is set to end the year with a fight against Derrick Lewis. If he can win, a stunning title shot could be within his grasp – making him one of 2021’s most unlikely success stories
#4. Chris Barnett – UFC heavyweight contender
Chris Barnett might be a curious choice for an unlikely UFC success story in 2021. That’s because ‘Beast Boy’ only debuted in the octagon seven months ago, and his record in the promotion stands at 1-1.
It’s safe to say that his first appearance in the UFC was as forgettable as it gets. Barnett fell to veteran Ben Rothwell on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 188 in May. Given that he appeared to be in poor shape, it seemed likely that his UFC career would be a short one.
However, the finish he produced in his next outing was truly shocking. It quickly went viral across the internet and turned ‘Beast Boy’ into somewhat of an overnight sensation.
Faced with Gian Villante at UFC 268 in what was set to be the New Yorker’s final UFC bout, Barnett struggled through a tricky first round. He then dispatched Villante in the second with a truly ridiculous spinning wheel kick.
Sure, the UFC has seen plenty of spinning wheel kick finishes at this stage – but none prior to this had been thrown by a fighter standing 5’9” and weighing 265lbs!
This finish was both bizarre and outstanding. While Barnett might not go onto further UFC success, the knockout makes him a shoe-in for a list of unlikely success stories of 2021.
#3. Ricky Glenn – UFC lightweight contender
It’s probably safe to say that the UFC is not an easy place to find success in. If a fighter has been on the shelf for an extended period, it becomes even more difficult.
2021 saw the likes of Nick Diaz and Miesha Tate return from stretches on the shelf, only to struggle against tough opponents. The same could not be said for lightweight Ricky Glenn.
‘The Gladiator’ had gone 3-3 after debuting in the UFC back in 2016. Prior to 2021, he hadn’t fought in the octagon since November 2018. The likelihood of him returning to success seemed slim.
Incredibly, Glenn returned in June and stunned everyone by turning the lights out on opponent Joaquim Silva after just 37 seconds.
‘The Gladiator’ was then given an even trickier assignment in October. He was faced with surging contender Grant Dawson, who had put together a UFC record of 5-0 since debuting in the octagon.
However, after struggling in the first two rounds of his clash with ‘KGD’, Glenn came roaring back in the third round. As Dawson began to slow down, he suffered a beating from ‘The Gladiator’, who also came close with two submissions.
In the end, Glenn’s strong third round earned him a draw – which, when Dawson’s prior form was considered, probably felt like a win. Considering he hadn’t fought in nearly three years, for Glenn to go 1-0-1 in 2021 makes him one of the year’s unlikely success stories.
#2. Chris Curtis – UFC middleweight contender
When the UFC inked journeyman Chris Curtis to a contract in October, it seemed like they’d brought him in as a sacrificial lamb.
‘Action Man’ was signed to fight middleweight uber-prospect Phil Hawes. Their first meeting fell through at late notice and the fight was rescheduled for UFC 268 a month later.
Nobody expected the 34-year old Curtis – who had retired from MMA more than once prior to joining the UFC – to get past ‘Megatron’. Instead, he shocked the world by knocking out the highly-touted prospect in the first round.
Less than a month later, Curtis was back, again on late notice, this time to fight another high-end prospect in the form of Brendan Allen. Despite being written off once more by observers, ‘Action Man’ delivered the goods again, taking Allen out in a rush in the second round.
Considering that nothing on his record suggested he was capable of thriving in the UFC – let alone knocking off two top prospects – it’s easy to understand why Curtis should be considered one of 2021’s most unlikely UFC success stories.
#1. Glover Teixeira – UFC light heavyweight champion
Based on his performances in 2020, when he defeated both Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos, it was probably fair to predict that Glover Teixeira might have a solid 2021.
However, nobody really expected that the longtime veteran would end the year with UFC gold wrapped around his waist. This makes him one of the year’s most unlikely success stories.
It would’ve been unfair to deny Teixeira a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title this year. The Brazilian came into 2021 on the back of a five-fight win streak, with just one of those wins going the distance.
At the age of 41, though, the idea of him being the man to dethrone UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz seemed ridiculous.
Blachowicz was on the form of his life after his knockout of Dominick Reyes. His win over Israel Adesanya in April only cemented the idea that he’d reign over the division for a lengthy time.
However, despite Teixeira turning 42 years old just two days prior to their meeting at UFC 267, the Brazilian absolutely dominated Blachowicz on the ground. He eventually finished him off with a second round rear naked choke.
The win not only made Teixeira the oldest fighter in UFC history to claim the light heavyweight title – surpassing the legendary Randy Couture – but it also made him one of the most unlikely champions in UFC history, too.
