Mark Coleman and 4 other former UFC champions who have double digit losses

UFC champions are seen as the top-tier fighters in their division, regardless of their promotion. They are often considered the best in their weight class and are sometimes even hailed as the greatest fighter in the world. Due to their prestigious status, these titleholders typically have impressive records.

It is typical for a champion to have a significantly higher number of wins compared to losses. However, there are instances when fighters who have attained championship titles end up with a large number of losses, placing them in the double digits range, a category typically associated with journeymen and lower-ranked fighters.

Despite being champions, there are athletes who continue to fight past their prime, leading to a decline in their performance. This can be due to their unwillingness to retire at the appropriate time or being surpassed by newer and younger competitors. Regardless of the cause, these fighters have amassed a surprising amount of defeats.

#5. The Legacy of Kevin Randleman, former UFC heavyweight champion

Despite his passing, Kevin Randleman, the late MMA legend, is still renowned for his incredible athleticism. His unmatched explosiveness, strength, and power were his defining traits, exemplified by his infamous slam of the illustrious Fedor Emelianenko. Randleman’s unparalleled athleticism led him to claim the UFC heavyweight title in 1999.

Despite capturing the vacant strap by defeating Pete Williams and successfully defending it against Pedro Rizzo, his reign as champion came to an end when he lost the belt to Randy Couture in his second title defense. This marked the end of his career as he never again competed for a world championship, and his performance declined significantly.

Despite being considered an elite fighter, Randleman had one of the worst records towards the end of his career, with a nearly equal number of losses and wins at 17-16.

#4. B.J. Penn, UFC Hall of Famer and two-division champion

B.J. Penn is the only other man who can rival Khabib Nurmagomedov as the greatest lightweight of all time. Moreover, ‘The Prodigy’ was the first two-division UFC champion, having held titles in both lightweight and welterweight divisions, although not concurrently.

Despite once being considered a pound-for-pound great and still being praised as the MMA GOAT by some of his peers, Penn’s legacy has been significantly tarnished by his choice to continue fighting well beyond his prime. In fact, he currently shares the record for the longest losing streak in the UFC with Tony Ferguson.

Despite his current record of 16-14-2, which has been greatly affected by his seven consecutive losses, he remains determined to improve and make a comeback in his career.

#3. Randy Couture: Iconic UFC Champion in Two Divisions

Randy Couture holds the distinction of being the first fighter to conquer two weight classes in the promotion. He achieved this feat by winning both the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, making him the oldest champion in the history of the promotion.

Despite having a notable record in the sport and being highly respected as a legend, Couture is most renowned for his Greco-Roman background which allowed him to excel in the clinch. Additionally, he made a significant impact by defeating professional boxing champion James Toney in his MMA debut. However, he also has a considerable number of losses in comparison to his wins.

Despite having a record of 19-11 across 30 fights, ‘The Natural’ retired from the sport. While this may not accurately showcase his skills at his prime, it will always solidify his status as one of the rare champions with double digit losses.

#2. Tito Ortiz: A Legend in the UFC

Despite being known as the original trash-talker in the light heavyweight division, Tito Ortiz was once highly regarded as the best 205-pound champion in UFC history. He held the record for the second-most consecutive title defenses in the division, a feat only surpassed by Jon Jones. However, ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ eventually wore out his welcome.

Despite his efforts, Ortiz suffered many losses that greatly impacted his record. Though he never boasted an undefeated record, he still achieved a substantial amount of victories until his luck changed and he faced a string of defeats. This ultimately led to his departure from the promotion.

Despite being demoted to fighting lower-level opponents, he eventually retired with a record of 21-12-1. His last match was against Alberto Del Rio, the former WWE wrestler also known as Alberto El Patron.

#1. Mark Coleman, Legendary UFC Heavyweight Champion

Despite never successfully defending his title, Mark Coleman is still regarded as an MMA pioneer and is often referred to as ‘The Godfather of Ground-and-Pound.’ His dominant style of elite-level wrestling and innovative use of ground-and-pound solidified his position as the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion, making him a formidable opponent at 265 pounds.

Despite winning it, Coleman’s reign as champion was short-lived as he quickly lost it. In the span of a few months, he faced Maurice Smith and was defeated by unanimous decision, resulting in him losing the heavyweight title in the highly acclaimed 1997 Fight of the Year. It marked Coleman’s first defeat as a professional fighter, but unfortunately, it would not be his last as he continued to experience a series of losses thereafter.

Despite bouncing back with a string of victories, he ultimately faced more defeats and ultimately ended his career in 2010 with a disappointing record of 16-10.