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#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.
