5 Successful UFC Veterans Who Failed to Make the TUF House

The elimination round. It was a concept that The Ultimate Fighter incorporated to rid the show of fighters who "didn't want to be there" or didn't deserve to be there.

Brought in for the seventh season of the show, it is a concept we have seen for the most part since then. In most cases, it has separated the best fighters from the worst fighters.

Of course, that is not always how it goes. In fact, sometimes, fighters who lose in the elimination round and fail to make the house end up still making the UFC and being successful.

Here are five of those men who shook off an early setback in their quest for UFC gold to come back and carve out solid UFC careers.

Pablo Garza

USA TODAY Sports

Season: 12

Eliminated by: Michael Johnson

UFC record: 3-3

Best Wins: Mark Hominick, Yves Jabouin

Although Pablo Garza is no longer in the UFC, he easily could be. He was a very good midcarder for the UFC and an exciting fighter as well.

Garza was first spotted on the UFC scene on the 12th season of TUF, which was coached by Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck. However, the fighter failed to make the house.

Facing eventual finalist and current top-20 lightweight Michael Johnson, Garza was outwrestled and outhustled to a unanimous-decision loss. It was a loss that kept him from winning the tournament, but his potential and skill earned Garza a shot in the WEC as a featherweight.

When WEC vets were brought over to the UFC, Garza made the move and impressed UFC fans with his exciting style and finishing ability. He was a part of the first-ever featherweight fight in the UFC, where he decapitated Fredson Paixao with a horrendous flying knee, and he owns a flying triangle victory over Yves Jabouin.

His only losses were to Dennis Bermudez, Dustin Poirier and Diego Brandao. That's nothing to be ashamed of for Garza, who should be considered a UFC success, especially seeing as he also owned a Knockout and Submission of the Night.

And in all honesty, I think the UFC should have kept him around for another fight or two.

Patrick Holohan

Season: 18

Eliminated by: Josh Hill

UFC record: 1-1

Best Wins: Josh Sampo

Regardless of his most recent loss to Chris Kelades, which was a significant upset, Patrick Holohan has been a national success who has already outplayed his expectations.

Holohan was originally on TUF 18, a season in which the male competitors were completely overshadowed by the first-ever female cast. Holohan was even more overlooked, as he failed to make the house.

In the elimination round, the Irishman squared off with Josh Hill, who thoroughly outwrestled Holohan. It was a lackluster performance that did not fully show what he could do.

He took some time off and returned for the UFC's most recent touchdown in Ireland. There, he shook off a significant underdog status to finish Josh Sampo, a shocking win that brought him into the good graces of UFC fans.

He's no Conor McGregor, but he has the Irish fans fully in his corner. He can continue to be a success if he tightens up his takedown defense and wins some bouts with the UFC.

James Krause

USA TODAY Sports

Season: 15

Eliminated by: Justin Lawrence

UFC record: 2-2

Best Wins: Sam Stout, Jamie Varner

James Krause has faced his ups and downs in the Octagon, but that will happen when you consistently fight top-notch fighters. And to think, Krause got his UFC start with TUF.

Krause took place in the first and only live season. In the elimination round, he took on flashy striker Justin Lawrence and was blistered via TKO by the Black House rep.

He regrouped on the regional scene, where he rattled off four wins with the RFA organization against respectable fighters Amir Khillah, Joe Jordan and Toby Imada. 

That earned him a call back to the UFC on late notice, where he upset Sam Stout with a beautiful submission win. That earned him high-profile bouts with Bobby Green, Jorge Masvidal and Jamie Varner, fights that have seen mixed results against tough competition.

Krause is exciting and obviously skilled. He is further proof that not making the house on the reality show is not the end of the world.

Ryan Jimmo

USA TODAY Sports

Yes!

Season: 8

Eliminated by: Antwain Britt

UFC record: 3-3

Best Wins: Anthony Perosh, Igor Pokrajac

Ryan Jimmo was featured on the second season in which the elimination round was used. Of course, based on this slideshow, you can tell that the elimination round was not kind to Mr. Jimmo.

Taking on Antwain Britt, Jimmo took part in a very exciting striking affair that was likely one of the better fights in the elimination round. However, Jimmo fell via majority decision and was back to taking bouts in the regional circuit.

After going undefeated since the show, including time as the MFC light heavyweight champion, Jimmo inked a deal with the UFC. He proceeded to make a quick, lasting impression upon arrival with a seven-second drubbing of Anthony Perosh.

Since that win, he has shuffled wins and losses. Despite wins over Igor Pokrajac and Sean O'Connell, Jimmo has faltered when stepping up in competition against James Te Huna, Jimi Manuwa and Ovince St. Preux.

In reality, he has been pretty successful, especially considering his bounce from the TUF house.

Costas Philippou

David Becker/Associated Press

Season: 11

Eliminated by: Joseph Henle

UFC record: 6-3

Best Wins: Tim Boetsch, Lorenz Larkin

Costas Philippou is easily the best guy to lose in the elimination round of TUF and make a run in the UFC regardless. His resume is second-to-none in that category.

Philippou was on the 11th season of the show, which was coached by heated rivals Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. Surprisingly, he lost to arguably the least talented guy to make the house in Joseph Henle.

Philippou would go back and win a couple bouts in the regional circuit before returning to the UFC. Since then, he has gone 6-3, beating some top fighters such as Lorenz Larkin, Tim Boetsch, Court McGee and Jorge Rivera.

He has quickly risen up the ranks and is now a top-15 middleweight with the UFC. Very unlikely considering he failed to make the house, and especially because he is rated higher than any of his fellow castmates from the show.