Sometimes fighters just refuse to go down and that's the way it is. No matter how hard someone hits or how viciously someone is beaten, there's the occasional fighter in the world of mixed martial arts that just doesn't know when to quit. Case in point - we've seen it happen more than a few dozen times since the inception of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
You could almost say that the guys and girls who fit this description can also be labeled as "undead" - similar to that of The Undertaker in the world of professional wrestling. Now obviously we don't mean in the literal sense, but much like Taker, these are fighters who we have seen as unstoppable for years now because they go forward with their heart without a second thought.
Unfortunately everyone has their day, though - and in a similar fashion to Taker's defeat at WrestleMania 30 the majority of these fighters have had one hit that's kept them down for the count. However, that doesn't define their legacies and it's the parade of warrior-like performances that the millions of fans around the world will instead choose to remember.
With that being said, let's take a look at five undead fighters that are the UFC's version of The Undertaker.
#5 Nate Diaz
Does Nate Diaz know how to quit? We don't think he does. For every insult and negative connotation that gets thrown at the Stockton-born brawler, Diaz comes right back with twice as much ferocity. Over the course of his career Diaz has only ever lost by TKO once, and that came from a head kick at the hands of Josh Thomson.
When you consider some of the opponents he's faced over the years, that's staggering.
Just take a look at his two fights against Conor McGregor. Diaz absorbed so much abuse that many were left wondering whether or not he'd ever fight again - when in reality, they should've been questioning whether or not he'd come back and pull off the win.
This is a guy who punches himself in the face to get hyped for a fight, and we honestly believe that he thrives on it. Madness.
Onto a man who continues to take fans' breath away.
#4 Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez has been a part of the UFC for over 12 years now and in that time he's had some of the best fights in the history of mixed martial arts. His warrior mentality has led to some of the craziest bouts that we've ever since and one thing remained the same throughout all of those contests - his desire. No matter what the situation was, he just never gave up.
There have been points where Sanchez honestly looked like he could barely stand, and yet he would rise as if from the dead to pound his opponent with a string of shots from out of nowhere. His career may be winding down now, but nobody can deny how much heart Diego has. Who knows, maybe his determination will lead him to one more push for the title.
We move up a few weight classes for our next entry.
#3 Roy Nelson
If you haven't loved Big Country at one point or another during his UFC tenure, then you may not be human. The guy is one of the most entertaining fighters in recent times, simply due to his phenomenal knockout power combined with his bizarre physique that continues to baffle fans to this day. After all, you don't see too many top fighters in that kind of shape.
But that's never bothered Roy because the important thing to remember is his chin. Over the course of his career only Andrei Arlovski and Mark Hunt have been able to knock him out and when you consider some of the contenders he's faced, that's a pretty impressive record. You may not like his style or attitude, but Nelson should forever be known as a bad ass in the heavyweight division.
Onto a man who has recently returned after a few years away.
#2 Korean Zombie
Chan Sung Jung's nickname is quite literally The Korean Zombie and that's about all the evidence you need. The guy has absorbed so much punishment during fights but it's as if he's immune to pretty much all of it. No matter what the situation or how dire things may seem, Korean Zombie keeps coming forward and continues to confuse all that step across the octagon from him.
It's a shame that we lost two years of him in his prime, but now that he's back the guy can pick up right where he left off. There's honestly nothing quite like a Korean Zombie fight and when it comes to contenders in the featherweight division, he could be right in the mix with a few more victories. If you want to meet one of the likeliest contenders for being UFC's Undertaker - here he is.
We conclude with a legend of the business.
#1 Dan Henderson
Forget Vitor Belfort and forget some of his recent losses. Dan "Hendo" Henderson is one of the baddest dudes on the planet and has been for well over a decade now. His knockout power combined with the fact that his chin was formerly made from iron makes him one scary individual - kind of like another undead figure, some would say.
He may not have become a champion in the UFC but in the grand scheme of his career, that isn't nearly as important as his overall legacy. The guy has maintained his stature as one of the best in the world throughout a number of different eras, and now that he's retired from the game mixed martial arts will never be the same.
We'll miss you, Dan.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
