10 Greatest MMA Fighters Never to Win a Major Belt

It's hard to think of a fighter as great when he has never won a major MMA title in his glittering career. Some of these fighters will have won tournaments but none have actually physically held a belt for their achievements. 

Yet they are still held in high esteem by many MMA fighters, pundits and fans around the world.

10. Matt Lindland

A world-class wrestler, it is a surprise that Lindland never won a major title. With MMA and especially in the UFC, wrestling is such a great background to have, but Lindland has never had enough sustained success to become a true great by acquiring a major belt. 

Lindland had his opportunities. At UFC 37, he was defeated by Murilo Bustamante in the third round of their fight by submission. He holds notable victories over Pat Miltech, Phil Baroni and Ivan Salaverry.

9. Jeremy Horn

Still fighting strong, Horn has had a host of UFC victories on his resume. Over 80 in total, 57 by submission alone! He has won championships in smaller promotions, but on the big stage Horn has always been that bit sort. 

At UFC 54, he became the latest victim of the Chuck Liddell knockout train, even though at UFC 19 he had choked Chuck unconscious.  Horn tried and failed to end Frank Shamrocks run with the UFC Light heavyweight title at UFC 17.

8. Kazushi Sakuraba

“The Gracie Hunter,” Sakuraba is considered a great amongst many MMA fans. A legend in the now defunct Pride Fighting Championships, Sakuraba originally started out in pro wrestling before making the transition to MMA.

At Pride 17, he became a victim of the "Axe Murder" Wanderlei Silva in a match for the Pride Middleweight Belt. Sakurraba holds notable victories over Ken Shamrock, Royce Gracie, Kevin Randleman and Renzo Gracie.

7. Jeff Monson

If there is a more imposing and threatening looking MMA fighter than Jeff Monson then I don’t wanna meet him. Head to toe in tattoos, Monson isn’t just scary looking, he has some scary Jiu-Jitsu skills and holds many grappling credentials.

At UFC 65, Jeff had a chance to become Heavyweight Champion but he failed where many did at the time by losing a unanimous decision to Tim Sylvia.  

6. Pedro Rizzo

The Rock is a feared Brazilian striker who had stints in both the UFC and Pride. His leg kicks are famous for almost crippling Randy Couture, which in turn changed Captain America’s views on how to evolve as a fighter.

Rizzo holds victories over Andre Arlovski, Mark Coleman, Jeff Monson and Ken Shamrock.

Rizzo has fought for the UFC Heavyweight Belt three times and failed three times.

5. Igor Vovchanchyn

Anybody with a 32-fight undefeated streak was never a Champion in the major promotions? Igor successful transitioned from kick-boxing to MMA and was considered one of the best heavyweights in the world, and a favorite in the Pride Grand Prix 200 finals, losing to a fresher Mark Coleman.

Igor holds notable victories over Gilbert Yvel, Mark Kerr, Gary Goodbridge and Valentijn Overeem.

4. Don Fyre

Fyre is considered a UFC great and future Hall of Famer by many MMA pundits and fans alike. He has won UFC tournaments but never an MMA belt. In his peak Fyre would have won a UFC belt, but the times were against him and there was no UFC Belt.

He holds the acclaim of being in one of the best MMA fights of all time—a TKO win over Yoshihiro Takayama.

Don holds victories over Tank Abott, Gilbert Yvel and Gary Goodbridge.

3. Jon Fitch

No fighter has received such criticism for his style of fighting more than Jon Fitch. The facts you can’t argue with: eight straight victories inside the Octagon before he faced P4P great George Rush St Pierre.

Fitch had his chance to become a UFC Champion at UFC 87 but failed losing a spirited but one-sided decision to GSP.

Fitch holds victories over Thiago Alves, Deigo Sanchez and Paulo Thiago.

2. Mirko Cro Cop

Mirko Cro Cop is one of the deadliest strikers in MMA history. His high leg kick was one of the most feared weapons of any fighter.

Cro Cop holds notable victories including Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and Heath Herring.

Mirko has had two chances to win a Pride Heavyweight Belt, losing both times to MMA legends Big Nog and Fedor. Mirko also got a taste of his own medicine when he lost to Gabe Gonzaga by head kick in a No. 1 contenders match.

1. Royce Gracie

Nobody ever left such an imprint of the UFC then Royce Gracie. A pioneer for Jui-Jistu in the MMA community, he revolutionised the sport by showing fighters that size doesn't beat skill.

A UFC Hall of Famer, Gracie has beaten Sakurba, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and Kimo Leopoldo.

The winner of UFC 1, 2 and 4 tournaments, Gracie had one opportunity to win a UFC belt but drew with Ken Shamrock.