Five UFC Fighters Who Need A Fresh Start In 2017

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) can be bittersweet for elite mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors. One minute a fighter can feel invincible while holding gold, the next that same fighter is on a losing streak and wondering, “where did it all go wrong?”

As the sport continues to evolve and former champions get older, the new breed of fighter begins to take over. In this type of sink or swim environment, it’s easier said than done to get to the top and stay there for a lengthy period.

LowKickMMA.com takes a look at five UFC fighters who need a fresh start in 2017. For these fighters, another bad year could mean the end of their UFC run or even their MMA careers.

Let’s get things started.

5. Andrei Arlovski

Andrei Arlovski was the feel-good story of 2015. After getting knocked out in three of four straight losses to close out his Strikeforce run, fans and analysts called for “The Pit Bull” to hang up his gloves.

Instead, Arlovski went 6-1 with one no contest to earn his way back to the UFC in June 2014. The former UFC heavyweight champion took a split decision over Brandon Schaub in his return. He then got revenge on Antonio Silva by knocking him out in the first round.

Arlovski’s performance in 2015 began to open some eyes. In one of the best fights of the year, “The Pit Bull” went to war with Travis Browne for one round. Arlovski got the best of “Hapa” to earn the TKO win. His next fight against Frank Mir was considered to be a snoozer by many, but it was Arlovski’s sixth straight win.

This year hasn’t been nearly as kind to the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter. He lasted only 54 seconds against current 265-pound ruler Stipe Miocic. Arlovski looked to bounce back against Alistair Overeem, but “The Reem” stopped him in the second round. “The Pit Bull’s” last outing was a submission loss to Josh Barnett.

At UFC on FOX 23, Arlovski will trade leather with rising heavyweight Francis Ngannou. Another defeat would push Arlovski’s losing streak to four. With father time rearing its ugly head, the 37-year old needs to turn things around next year.

4. Carlos Condit

Carlos Condit is regarded as one of the most exciting welterweights the sport has ever seen. “”The Natural Born Killer” has seen his share of success inside the Octagon. In Feb. 2012, he defeated Nick Diaz to captured the interim welterweight title.

Condit found himself fighting for gold again on Jan. 2, 2016 against Robbie Lawler. For five rounds, the two 170-pound warriors went all out in a “Fight of the Year” candidate. Condit fell short via split decision.

Following the razor-thin decision loss, speculation ran rampant that Condit may exit the sport. He decided to compete again at UFC on FOX 21 against Demian Maia. The bout ended up being a horrible match-up for Condit. Maia took Condit down early and submitted him in the first round.

“The Natural Born Killer” has yet to make a decision on his fighting future. Should he decide to step inside the Octagon again, he’ll need to do so with a clean slate if he expects to get back to an elite level.

3. Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis has seen better years. There was a time when “Showtime” lived up to his nickname in every way imaginable. With the exception of his debut, he steamrolled World Extreme Cagefighting’s (WEC) lightweight division. He captured the WEC 155-pound title against Benson Henderson.

That was the fight that saw Pettis land the famous “Showtime” kick. See it below:

Pettis was defeated in his UFC debut, but he bounced back with a three-fight winning streak that included back-to-back knockouts over Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone. He went toe-to-toe with Henderson again, this time for the UFC lightweight title. Pettis submitted “Smooth” in the first round to capture UFC gold.

Pettis successfully defended his title against Gilbert Melendez at UFC 181 with a guillotine choke. “Showtime’s” misfortune began when Rafael dos Anjos dominated him for five rounds to take his championship. Pettis fell short against Eddie Alvarez and for the first time in his career the former champion suffered two straight defeats.

Showtime” took on Edson Barboza at UFC 197. Barboza picked Pettis apart with kicks on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Suddenly, Pettis went from being dominant to looking like a shell of his former self.

He made the move down to featherweight. His opponent was Charles Oliveira. Pettis got back in the win column with a third round submission win. His performance earned him an interim title bout with Max Holloway.

The bout was a disaster before it even began. Pettis missed weight, eliminating him from title contention. His opponent was still eligible to win the belt because he made the 145-pound limit. “Blessed” was a step faster than Pettis and eventually finished him in the third round.

Pettis went from an 18-2 record to 19-6. A new year may be what “Showtime” needs to clear his head and get back on track.

2. Chris Weidman

If there is just one fighter who has asked themselves, “what happened” the most, it’s probably Chris Weidman. All-American” was the first man to defeat Anderson Silva inside the Octagon, and he did so by knocking him out. He beat Silva again thanks to a leg kick check that broke “The Spider’s” fibula and tibia.

Former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida challenged Weidman for the middleweight title next. The Serra-Longo stalwart got all he could handle, but he prevailed by unanimous decision.

His next title defense was against Vitor Belfort. “The Phenom” had Weidman hurt in the first round and opened up a cut over his left eye. Weidman weathered the storm and took his opponent down. Belfort had no answer for the ground assault and Weidman made his third successful title defense.

“”All-American” wasn’t as fortunate when he put the title on the line against Luke Rockhold. A sloppy spin kick from Weidman, gave Rockhold the opening he needed. The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) fighter’s ground-and-pound was too much for Weidman to handle. Rockhold captured the championship in the fourth round.

UFC 199 was supposed to be Weidman’s chance at redemption, but neck surgery put a stop to that. He returned to the Octagon at UFC 205 in New York City to face Yoel Romero. The “Soldier of God” put Weidman’s lights out with a brutal knee to the side of the head.

1. Jon Jones

Unlike everyone else in this piece, Jon Jones made this list due to his issues outside of the Octagon. When it was revealed that Jones was stripped of the light heavyweight title and suspended by the UFC last year, many hoped it would be an eye opener for “Bones.” He was arrested for a hit-and-run incident.

The former No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter fought Ovince Saint Preux for the interim 205-pound title in his return earlier this year. While Jones didn’t have a stellar outing, he was still able to shutout “OSP” and earned interim gold.

Jones was set to meet reigning light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. USADA dropped a bombshell when they notified Jones of a potential doping violation. The fight was called off and “Bones” was once again stripped of his title.

Jones reached an agreement with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) that would have him suspended for one year retroactive to July 6, 2016, the date of his test results. This means he will be eligible to compete in July 2017.

“Bones” will have to remain clean in every way possible if he even wants a chance to thrive next year.