Frankie Edgar and the Most Unassuming UFC Fighters

The UFC employs some of the best fighters in the world.

Some possess KO power, others look for submissions to end bouts early.

But some of the most dangerous athletes in the sport are the ones who are overlooked.  The ones who may not look the part but most definitely are.

These fighters have had success in the past by implementing their game plans to a T and catching their opponents off guard.  Going into the future this tendency will continue to reign supreme. 

Here are the most unassuming mixed martial artists in the UFC today.

Demetrious Johnson

There's a reason why Demetrious Johnson's nickname is “Mighty Mouse.” He's quite small even for the newly installed flyweight division.

But Johnson's size never seems to diminish his elite skills inside the Octagon. With lightning quick hands, a small but strong base and the willingness to wrestle with any fighter in his weight class, “Mighty Mouse” has caught many fighters off guard.

Jumping in and out of strikes, Johnson has often made his opponents look captivated–stunned at that.

His recent move to a smaller division may diminish his ability to fly under the radar heading into future fights, but he should still be able to contend for a title even if he doesn't win one the next time around.

Nate Diaz

Similar to his brother Nick, Nate Diaz is one of the most well-rounded fighters the UFC has to offer.

He attacks on his feet, creates off his back and never gives in to his opponent's will to win. But beyond his own talents and athletic abilities, Diaz is often considered unorthodox.

Being indifferent doesn't necessarily mean he's unassuming, but Diaz's opponents still try to beat him at his own game. That is what makes him full of surprises.

He looks like he can be touched up from the outside. He looks like his chin can't withstand three rounds of punches. His lean frame makes him look somewhat weak.

On the contrary, Diaz is none of these. He never seems to fluster or trip up inside the cage. His opponents often find this out the hard way; by losing.

Chris Weidman

No doubt it about, Chris Weidman gets it done inside the cage.

He was seemingly used as a fill-in for the Demian Maia fight at UFC on FOX 2 when Michael Bisping was moved up to fight Chael Sonnen after Mark Munoz was injured, until everybody in the MMA world beared witness to his coming-out party.

Before that fight, and even now, Weidman was considered an under-the-radar prospect. Rightfully so, considering he hadn't really tabbed a key victory in his MMA career until he dismantled Maia, but the kid from Long Island is finally shedding his previous title as “that guy who Matt Serra trains.”

What Weidman lacks in superiority in a certain discipline he more than makes up for with a well-balanced skill set. Useful takedowns, improving striking and top-notch wrestling have enabled the future middleweight contender to move up the division ranks.

It shouldn't come as a shock, but Weidman's success in the cage over the past few years can be attributed to one thing: the ability to maintain a secretive offensive attack.

Unassuming, underrated, up and coming, name it what you will. Weidman is currently making a case for himself as one of the best 185-pound fighters in the UFC today.

Michael McDonald

It may not look like it, but Michael McDonald packs a serious punch.

As one of the most talented young fighters in the sport today, McDonald has used his raw power to climb the UFC bantamweight ladder.

Even though other fighters are aware of his overpowering right hand, they continue to stand and bang with the 21-year-old.

For McDonald, who currently sports a 3-0 record in the UFC, flying under the radar serves as anything but a bad omen. His combination of power and speed will continue to catch his opponents off guard, making him a sure bet for a future title shot over the next few years.

Roy Nelson

Roy Nelson may be the most unassuming fighter in MMA history. Just look at his frame and nonchalant attitude.

Nelson doesn't seem to take fighting too seriously compared to other UFC heavyweights, but he definitely does.

Nelson trains, eats right and always seems ready to leave it all inside the cage. That's why he's a fan favorite.

But even though Nelson goes through the daily routines that nearly every MMA fighter does, his opponents can't help but consider him unassuming.

His Santa Claus frame, long mullet and silly personality doesn't exactly go with the fighter grain that many heavyweights consider a prerequisite.

However, with some of the best hands in the division, along with excellent wrestling and sound grappling, Nelson always seems to come out on top. To this date he hasn't been stopped short of a decision inside the Octagon.

Cody McKenzie

Even though he has become a UFC mainstay over the past year and a half, Cody McKenzie is still one of the most underrated fighters around.

He didn't win The Ultimate Fighter, doesn't look like an athlete and reigns from a small town in Alaska. Maybe that's why fans, along with other fighters, don't consider him a threat within the lightweight division.

But sometimes we are all caught off guard, which seems to be the case every time McKenzie steps into the cage, as the 24-year-old arguably has the best guillotine choke in the game today.

McKenzie is lengthy, doesn't possess a lot of power and never seems to overwhelm his opponents. But with excellent submissions, good cardio and solid ground and pound, he has been able to capture numerous victories inside the Octagon over fighters who simply seem unprepared for his unassuming skill set.

Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar is one of the smallest lightweights in the UFC today.

His size is often regarded as a weakness, or something to take lightly, but Edgar has used his small frame and world-class heart to not only capture UFC gold in the past, but defend it three times.

However, with bigger and more lengthy opponents at 155 pounds, Edgar is often overlooked, championship or not.

But with awesome wrestling, crisp boxing and good scrambling, the New Jersey product has become one of the most promising fighters in the game today.

Not to be cliche, but this time around, size doesn't matter.

Stefan Struve

There's something about Stefan Struve that makes him seem unwilling to withstand damage, or create it at that.

It may be his gumby-ish frame or his often mild striking pace. Whatever it is, Struve never seems to scare other heavyweights inside the cage.

But as it is in many cases, never judge a book by its cover.

Struve sports some of the best kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu skills that the division has to offer, often due to his long limbs that create more opportunities round by round.

Kenny Florian

Everybody knows who Kenny Florian is.

He's arguably the most talented fighter in UFC history to have never won a title.

His love for the sport, dedication to training and overall skill set make him a worthy adversary for any opponent in the numerous weight classes he has graced.

But even on top of his borderline prestigious resume, Florian still comes off as “underrated.” It may be his lack of athleticism or what other people would call the “X-factor.”

Regardless, once inside the cage, Florian's combination of well-rounded striking and awesome grappling skills often puts him in a category by himself. Sure he has lost three championship bouts, but Florian's distill look and warrior mentality have enabled him to grace the role as an unassuming contender.

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