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Sometimes it only takes one UFC fight to become a fan favorite. Fighters across various weight classes have emerged as crowd-pleasers, and in the process, have become endearing characters of the sport. Commanding an audience is essential to building a following in one of the toughest fighting organizations in the world.
Since UFC 1, fighters have adopted styles to please crowds, but seldom are the inherent skills and qualities they possess enough to push them into a special stratosphere of entertainment. One would think a convincing knockout or finish would be enough to become a fan favorite, though, in some instances, it's just a case of having the right dance partners.
With a roster comprising hundreds of fighters, certain UFC athletes have stuck out among the pack. Following bonuses, fame and notoriety, some athletes have made legitimate sacrifices to emerge as favorites within the UFC.
Today, we examine five UFC fighters who have established themselves as fan favorites following just one fight with the organization.
#5. Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler was a well-known commodity before his second fight with Rory MacDonald. However, the former welterweight champion cemented himself as a fan favorite following a dramatic 2015 rematch with Canada's MacDonald. Closely contested, Robbie Lawler pulled away in the fourth frame of the five-round title fight after gathering momentum.
In his first defense as the 170-pound champion, Lawler showed heart and determination when met with adversity. Despite struggling with MacDonald's striking early on, 'Ruthless' pushed through the pain to deliver one of the most legendary 170-pound title fights in history.
After securing a TKO victory in the fifth round, a mythical energy surrounded 'Ruthless'. During his reign as champion in 2015, many were convinced that the only way to take his title would be an early finish. Lawler's ability to push the pace in championship rounds turned him into a fan favorite and the boogeyman all at once.
Even in 2021, Robbie Lawler is still mixing it up with the some of the best the UFC has to offer. The former champion recently faced Nick Diaz in a rematch seventeen years after their initial contest. Lawler walked down the cult star like a T-1000 from Terminator. In the end, the former champion would exact revenge with a TKO victory when Diaz refused to stand up after succumbing to Lawler's power.
#4. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman started his UFC career in The Ultimate Fighter season 21. The welterweight would advance to the finals and defeat Hayder Hassan via arm-triangle choke. After winning the reality TV show series, Usman was awarded a six-figure contract with the UFC.
During his tenure as a UFC welterweight, the 170-pound fighter was criticized for his lack of stopping power. Following a competitive affair with Emil Meek, UFC president Dana White was in shock after Usman implied he was only operating at '30% capacity.'
In an epic title fight against Colby Covington at UFC 245, Usman erased any doubts about his striking being soft. In dramatic fashion, the champion earned a TKO finish in the fifth round.
Following the emphatic win, Usman faced Jorge Masvidal in two consecutive contests. In their first outing, Usman relied on his wrestling toolbox to secure victory.
When Masvidal rematched Usman at UFC 261, the tone of the championship battle appeared to change. Usman entered the second fight with an aggressive gameplan. After instilling the threat of wrestling pressure with feints, the champion connected on an overhand right that knocked Masvidal unconscious. The 170-pound titleholder has been a fan favorite since.
#3. Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley quickly established himself as a fighter to watch early in his professional MMA career. 'Sugar' earned a wheel-kick knockout in his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut. Following the viral finish, O'Malley received the call to make an appearance on Dana White's Contender Series in 2017.
Just over two months after realizing success at the LFA, O'Malley was paired against fellow bantamweight Alfred Khashakyan. The performance activated an aura of hype around Sean O'Malley. The 27-year-old became the eye of the storm after scoring a viral walk-off knockout.
Unlike many before him, Sean O'Malley capitalized while fighting under the spotlight. With over 6.5 million views on YouTube, it's safe to say the flashy striker has entrenched himself as a fan favorite in the UFC.
After getting Dana White to stand on his feet, O'Malley secured a UFC contract and an army of fans too. With a single performance, the young bantamweight underlined his name among a busy pool of 135-pound contenders. At UFC 269 on December 11, O'Malley will face the No. 15-ranked Raulian Paiva.
#2. Jorge Masvidal
Jorge Masvidal exploded as a UFC star following a single performance in the octagon. The welterweight reached heights seen only by the likes of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz when he knocked Ben Askren out in a record five seconds. Overall, the contest was highly anticipated after the historic MMA trade the UFC made in exchange for 'Funky'.
The UFC and ONE Championship struck a deal where the UFC would trade Demetrious Johnson for the outspoken welterweight. In November 2018, the improbable occurred, and a historic trade between two leading MMA promotions was signed, sealed and delivered.
In his first UFC fight, the welterweight took the promotion by storm after surviving the onslaught of Robbie Lawler only to come back and win via choke. After getting past a violent former champion like Lawler, the promotion paired him with Jorge Masvidal next.
Before meeting Askren, Masvidal was playing hometown spoiler when he upset Darren Till. 'Gamebred' scored the knockout with a well-timed flurry of punches. After silencing the O2 Arena in London, England, Masvidal's stardom rose. Less than five months later, Masvidal's viral five-second knockout against Askren would catapult his name sky-high.
#1. Former UFC interim champion Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje's style of fighting is geared toward inflicting damage. A prerequisite for turning a viewer into a fan favorite is finishing power. Even before his foray into the UFC, Gaethje's record in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) preceded him. 'The Highlight' is known for his ability to push the pace and finish fights.
The former interim lightweight champion sports a downright scary finishing percentage. Of the lightweight's 22 professional fights, 18 have come thanks to his finishing instinct. However, it was his 2017 debut that attracted mass hysteria.
The fight in which turned him into a fan favorite was against Michael Johnson. The two fought an incredible battle and Johnson ultimately succumbed to Gaethje's pressure late into the second round.
After painting masterpieces out of Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson consecutively, it was clear that Justin Gaethje was on a calculated rampage. The former interim champion is set to face one of his toughest tests when he squares up against Michael Chandler.
The pair of lightweights like to stand and trade, so the firefight is sure to bring about a water cooler moment when it's time to return to reality. The two have commenced trash-talking, and the bout is expected to take place at UFC 268 on November 6.
