What fighter is retired now that you didn't appreciate as much but now you wish they were back?

[TankAbbott4Eva]

Gerard Gordeau. Took out Tuli's teeth, a piece of Royce's ear, and Yuki Nakai's eye. Put him up against Joe Son and hope for the appropriate results.

His effort on Yuki Nakai was fucking terrible, prob the worst thing I've seen in MMA

 

[Southpoor97]

Dillashaw - Always in great fights and has amazing tenacity

Zabit - Always hated on him and wanted him to fail. Now he's gone I miss him



Also, the reverse of this is fighters I liked while they fought but realised were kind of boring or overrated in hindsight:

- Cruz comes to mind most of all

 

[I WILL CUT YOU]

Zabit and Joanna Champion

 

[Diet Butcher]

Mark Schultz… completely dominated Big Daddy, not even a fight. He could have been a UFC champion if he had chose this path. Would have destroyed Tito.

 

[GrantB13]

For me I like any vet to stay around whether I’m a fan or not a lot of times. Recognition is really important for the sport. Any time we see long time vets leave and get replaced with regional guys with no recognition it’s a loss.

 

[Hog-train]

Anderson Silva. I wasn't a diehard hater of his or anything, but I spent most of his prime cheering against him, most of the time. We never see that kind of beautiful violence anymore. He was like a poet, of violence.

Me too. I was always rooting for his opponent. I think it's because I wanted the underdog to win and he didn't speak English that well and thus I didn't relate to him as much.

Later after he retired, I realized how good of an actual person he is. His podcast with Chris Weidman showed me that. He's a legend in the ring and also a really good person.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Gomi and Randy.

 

[blaseblase]

I didn't really become a fan of Bisping until his fight against Rockhold. Two fights later he was retired.

 

[austinblair]

Bisping.

I became a fan of his at the end of his career, but wish I liked him more earlier on.

he’s definitely a fighters fighter.

not that I’m a fighter. But in hindsight. Bisping was a bad motherfucker who didn’t give a shit who was in front of him.

 

[Bushpig]

Drew Mcfedries

 

[ColombianFist]

Forrest for sure.

he wasn't the best or the most technical but he was a pioneer no matter his shortcomings.

 

[StonedLemur]

Johnny Hendricks probably.

 

[StonedLemur]

A

Forrest for sure.

he wasn't the best or the most technical but he was a pioneer no matter his shortcomings.

Always liked him.
Good dude that always fought his ass off.

 

[StonedLemur]

Drew Mcfedries

Damn, a true blast from the past with missiles in his hands.

 

[mahavishnunj]

Varner for me. He lost me when he cried and pulled shenanigans, but then won me over.

 

[this is my new account]

I think Josh Koschek was a great heel,and didn't have to make a character he wad a natural. I would root hard for him today.

BISPING. god i hated him for over half his UFC career. Then he grew on me and now i want to see that story again. I miss when the UFC promoted guys

 

[ejazahmednit]

I ve never really hated any fighter, but I will answer the second part of your question.
Alexander Gustafsson, Trt Vitor, Pre Usada Hendricks, Cain, Werdum, Machida (back in the UFC)

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Demetrious Johnson
I admit I got kind of bored of him being champ all the time and was kind of glad Henry Cejudo won. I didn't realize he would end up being one of the most annoying cringy champions ever.
But I am glad he is doing well in another promotion now

 

[Lost_Cause]

 

[13Seconds]

Anderson Silva. I wasn't a diehard hater of his or anything, but I spent most of his prime cheering against him, most of the time. We never see that kind of beautiful violence anymore. He was like a poet, of violence.

Like Tupac of MMA