Fedor Emelianenko, Ken Shamrock and the Top MMA Fighters Who Held on Too Long

MMA is one of the world’s most difficult sports.

Besides the battle that goes on inside the cage or ring, the battle outside of it can be far greater.

Fighters must sacrifice time, money and family in order to do what they love best.

There comes a point, though, where a fighter must realize that they do not have the same skills they once had. They must face the heartbreaking reality that the younger generations of fighters are just too fast, strong and skilled for them.

MMA, like any other sport, has many fighters who have held on for too long.

Here’s a list of some current and former MMA fighters who should have ended their careers sooner.

Chuck Liddell

Record: 21-8

Accomplishments: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (defended the title four times), UFC Hall of Famer

From April 2004 to May 2007, Chuck Liddell had one of the most successful runs in MMA history.

Liddell was the face of the UFC at this time, defeating both Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture twice.

What made Liddell’s run so memorable was the fact that he knocked out all but one opponent during this time.

Even before this run, Liddell was considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the MMA.

In May of 2007, Liddell would lose his UFC light heavyweight title to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Liddell would go just 1-4 over his last five fights, which included getting knocked out his last three. 

Tito Ortiz

Record: 16-9-1

Accomplishments: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, most light heavyweight title defenses in UFC History

Before TIto Ortiz defeated Ryan Bader at UFC 132, he was well on his way out the UFC. 

Ortiz hadn't won a fight in over four years, with his last two victories coming against a very past his prime Ken Shamrock. 

Ortiz proved that he still had something left in the tank. But a loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 133 proved that Ortiz can't compete with the top tier of light heavyweights anymore. 

Although he shocked the world earlier in the year, it's highly unlikely that Ortiz will ever be able to reach the top of the light heavyweight division again. 

Matt Hughes

Record: 45-9

Accomplishments: Two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame, most wins in the UFC (18)

Matt Hughes is arguably the greatest welterweight in UFC and MMA history.

Over the course of his career, Hughes defeated every other UFC welterweight champion with the exception of the man that trained him, Pat Miletich.

Hughes completely dominated the welterweight division during his prime.

Since losing the welterweight title to Georges St-Pierre in 2006, Hughes has been 4-4.

After losing to St-Pierre and Thiago Alves, Hughes won three straight and looked to be making a run back to the top.

However Hughes lost has since lost two straight fights by knock out, and his career is seriously in question.

Although Hughes has not lost as many fights as some of the fighters on this list,  he’s 38 years old and clearly doesn’t have the chin he once had. No one wants to see a great like Hughes go out like some of the other fighters on this list. 

Andrei Arlovski

Record: 16-9

Accomplishments: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion

At age 32, Andrei Arlovski should still have a few more good years in the sport.

Instead, Arlovski has had many question why he still continues to fight.

Arlovski was once UFC heavyweight champion. Even after he lost the title, he had a good string of wins against Fabricio Werdum, Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson.

After the Nelson win, though, Arlovski lost four straight, three of which came by knock out.

Arlovski may have won his most recent fight in August, but it’s clear that he is not the elite fighter he once was. 

Mirko Cro Cop

Record: 27-9-2 (1)

Accomplishments: 2006 Pride World Grand Prix Open-Weight Champion, holds wins over Wanderlie Silva and Josh Barnett (three times).

“Right leg, Hospital; left leg, cemetery.” That is the quote that best described what you were facing if you went against Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic.

Cro Cop was one of the most feared fighters in PRIDE FC because of his deadly left leg kicks.

Although Cro Cop was not able to capture the Pride heavyweight championship on two occasions, he did win the Pride openweight Grand Prix tournament in 2006.

Cro Cop won his UFC debut at UFC 67 and was one fight away from earning a title shot. In one of the most shocking moments in MMA, Gabriel Gonzaga defeated Cro Cop by using a leg kick to knock him out.

Cro Cop is 4-5 in the UFC. His last two defeats have come by knockout.

At age 37, Cro Cop has seen many battles. UFC 137 could be his last if he can’t get past Roy Nelson.

Wanderlei Silva

Record: 33-11-1 (1)

Accomplishments: Pride Middleweight Champion (2001-2007), 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Winner, most wins and knockouts in Pride History

When Wanderlei Silva fought in PRIDE FC, he was the man.

Silva was the most aggressive fighter in MMA at the time, and no matter the outcome of a fight, Silva always wanted to please the fans.

Silva will always be remembered for his memorable knockouts and wars with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

While Silva was arguably the most successful fighter in Pride, he has not had the same success in the UFC.

Silva is just 2-6 in his last eight fights. Four of his losses have been by KO.

Silva is only 35 years old. But considering the amount of wars he has been in, he can’t continue to take the amount of punishment he used to dish out. 

Kasushi Sakuraba

Record: 25-16-1 (2)

Accomplishments: UFC Japan Heavyweight Tournament Winner, holds wins over Ken Shamrock, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and four members of the Gracie family.

Arguably Japan’s greatest and most beloved fighter, Sakuraba entertained fans with his memorable walkouts and toughness inside the ring.

Sakuraba was often much smaller than his competition. Despite, this he still fought light heavyweights and heavyweights.

Sakuraba will always be known for defeating four members of the Gracie family, including his 90-minute war with Royce.

Sakuraba is 42 years old and still competes. Although he some success since his Pride days, he’s currently on a four fight losing streak. 

Jens Pulver

Record: 25-15-1

Accomplishments: First UFC Lightweight Champion, one of only two men to defeat BJ Penn at Lightweight

Jens Pulver has overcome a lot both inside and out the sport of MMA. Pulver overcame many struggles, including child abuse, while growing up. 

Pulver was able to rise above adversity, eventually becoming the first man to hold the UFC lightweight title.

Since leaving the UFC the first time, Pulver was never able to really find the same success that he had before.

Pulver has won as many as four straight fights in smaller promotions, and at the most, lost six straight, including five WEC bouts.

Pulver is 3-7 in his last 10 bouts. At age 36, it’s no secret that he is not the same fight he once was. 

Fedor Emelienko

Record: 32-4 (1)

Accomploshments: Pride World Heavyweight Champion, Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion

Fedor Emelienko is one of MMA’s most respected and beloved fighters.

He’s also one of its most criticized and talked about figures.

Fedor is known for his record of going nearly undefeated for almost 10 years. This includes his run as Pride heavyweight champion, where he defeated fighters like Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rogerio Noguira.

Although Fedor’s run is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, in MMA history, it is also one of the most debated due to the fact that he never fought in the UFC.

When Fedor lost to Fabricio Werdum last year, many considered it a lucky victory thanks to Fedor making a mistake.

Fedor has lost two more fights, though, both by TKO.

Fedor is one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. But bad management, three straight losses and the question of retirement have made the once great fighter look like a shell of his former self. 

Ken Shamrock

Record: 28-15-2

Accomplishments: UFC Superfight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame, UFC 3 Tournament Finalist, Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals Superfight Winner.

Once called “The World's Most Dangerous Man,” Shamrock has been around MMA since the beginning.

Shamrock was one of the UFC’s premiere fighters in its early days.

Shamrock left MMA in 1997 for the WWE, but returned in 2000, where he fought in Pride FC.

Over his last 15 fights, Shamrock has gone 5-10. A majority of those losses have come by TKO or KO.

Shamrock has nothing left to prove to anyone in the sport.

At age 47, there is no need for him to continue to put himself through the punishment that he has.