The 10 Craziest MMA Comebacks

The Comeback

The Top 10 Greatest Comebacks in MMA History

10.  Lyoto Machida

Your kung fu is no good here.  However, your Machida-do karate is.  While not technically a “career” comeback, Machida has resurrected the careers of many karate instructors across America with his dominance in the Octagon. 

And by dominance I mean you can’t hit this guy.   This is a comeback of style, much like the original UFC’s were come-ups of sort for Gracie Jiu Jitsu. 

9.  Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

After totally dominating the 205’ers in Japan and being the No. 1 ranked light-heavyweight on the planet, Shogun landed in the UFC.  But fun and games it was not. 

He was completely dominated and choked out by Forrest Griffin in his debut and immediately drew criticism for his sub-par conditioning.  A problematic knee injury also put a damper on Shogun’s drawing power. 

But the ‘Gun bounced back with a (weak) decision over Mark Coleman at UFC 93 and a highlight worthy KO of (an aging) Chuck Liddell at UFC 97.  But is Shogun really back?  He’ll tangle with light-heavyweight kingpin Lyoto Machida at UFC 104 and maybe then we can say Shogun has finally made “the comeback.”

8.  Nick Diaz

Don’t be scared, homie.  Even after all the bird-flipping, hospital fighting, blunt smoking, UFC firings, and other antics, the older Diaz has made a comeback of sizable proportions.  After subbing Takanori Gomi with one of the craziest finishes ever, Nick failed the post-fight drug test for THC (boo NSAC). 

Following that he lost a controversial cut-stoppage in EliteXC to KJ Noons.  Then Nick and brother Nate end up in a brawl for all against Noons and his pops. 

All authoritarian run-ins aside, Nick has definitely made major waves lately in the Strikeforce promotion, ripping off a five-fight win streak including a headline TKO of Frank Shamrock and a dominant submission win over comeback artist Scott Smith.

7. Forrest Griffin

Not only is he mainly responsible for launching the recent successes of the UFC with his now infamous battle with Stephan Bonnar, but Forrest Griffin also checks in at number 8 on our list.  After much hype and buzz Griffin fell off the wagon after a split decision loss to Tito Ortiz and a vicious knockout loss to Keith Jardine. 

Many felt Forrest was just a reality star, but that all changed as a new, focused, hard working Griffin re-entered the Octagon and choked out Shogun, then coached on TUF against his next opponent and biggest challenge, Rampage Jackson. 

Forrest etched out a decision in what was a Fight of the Year candidate and claimed the light-heavyweight crown.  Even though his loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 92 made him relinquish the strap Forrest is one of the more remarkable comebacks in UFC history.

6.  Evan Tanner

While he may not fit onto everyone’s list, Evan Tanner was a comeback of a different kind. No formal training, learning techniques from basement tapes, winning the UFC Middleweight Title, defeating alcoholism. 

Whether you were a fan or not, Evan Tanner proved many things, most importantly you can always make a comeback.  No matter what.  Rest in peace my friend. 

5.  Matt Serra

If you win an MMA-themed reality show dubbed “The Comeback”, you should make the list, right?  Matt Serra won the Ultimate Fighter 4, overcoming his Shonie Carter backfisted demons and eventually upending Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title.  If you look up “comeback” in Miriam Webster, you’ll find “…ex. See: Serra, Matt.”

4.  Rich Franklin

Thai.  Plum. Clinch.  These three words became the bane of existence for “Ace” for an almost full calendar year.  However, ditching the fall off the face of the earth strategy, Franklin upped his game (and weight class) and has since come to terms with the fact that Anderson Silva will kill you in the Thai Clinch. 

The fact the Franklin has been able to pull off some impressive and dominating wins since his Silva-induced destruction (against some notable competition) brings him onto the list. 

Rich has also not been afraid to shy away from good competition, and this Saturday he will try to be "The Comeback" as he squares off with Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 in Germany. 

3.  Ultimate Fighting Championship

Once relegated to places like Biloxi, MSand programming that is worse than the DREAM schedule on HDNET, the UFC has revitalized itself and MMA in recent years.  The success of The Ultimate Fighter, live events on cable television, and some of the most memorable fights of the past seven years have earned the UFC a spot on this list.  

2. Randy Couture

Do I even need to explain this one? Captain America aka the Natural aka Mr. Comeback himself.  Just look at his wikipedia page and you will know why we love Randy Couture. 

When you make your pro debut at the age of 34, dominate guys that are way younger than you (Vitor Belfort), fall off (losses to Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez), come back and have the most insane trilogy of fights (check out Couture vs. Liddell I-III), retire, come back at age 43 and destroy and reclaim the heavyweight title (sorry Big Tim), resign and then come back TWO YEARS LATER at age 45 to dominate (for a round at least) quite possibly the largest and most powerful fighter EVER.

Well, like I said, do I need to explain this one?

1.  Frank Mir

Usually when a champion loses his belt, it’s to a better, stronger, faster opponent.  Not Frank Mir.  After snapping Tim Sylvia’s arm, being the most hyped heavyweight in a long time and winning the UFC heavyweight strap the only thing that could beat Frank Mir was a car that hit him while riding his motorcycle. 

The man broke his femur (yeah that’s the big ass bone in your leg) in TWO places.  The fact that he even fought professionally after that is reason enough to be on this list. 

In his return fight he lost to Marcio Cruz, looked fat and gassed against Dan Christison, and then got KTFO’d by someone who isn’t a heavyweight (Brandon Vera).  But Mir wasn’t done. He resurged on the UFC scene, tapping out Antoni Hardonk and then weathering the ham-hocks that are Brock Lesnar’s fists to coax the tapout in probably the slickest transition from getting your face smashed-to kneebar you’ve ever seen. 

Not to mention the fact that he is the first person to finish Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Ever. Mir now seeks to cement himself as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time in the UFC by squaring off with Brock Lesnar again at UFC 100.