Hard to strip someone without a belt.Jones was stripped of title and suspended after hit and run accident for violating "code of conduct" policy (that's a laugh).
What happened to McGregor for his numerous malfeasance?
So what, Dana likes good fighters with personality and charisma. Belal has none except good fighter for example. . You have to bring energy to any job interview or an audition or you’re getting passed up. UFC no different.
Stipe only gets decent treatment because HW is a wasteland and he's one of the only good ones.Again Stipe doesn't get a mention despite being right near the top.
Conor hasn't even got a title shot coming off a KO loss and years of inactivity, let alone it happening twice.
Stipe is the definition of Dana White privilege yet somehow gets a pass from media and fans.
Stipe only gets decent treatment because HW is a wasteland and he's one of the only good ones.
Stipe wouldn't even let Dana wrap the belt around him he felt he was being treated so poorly. When Francis first fought him they were heavily pushing for Francis to win that bout but Stipe spoiled their plans.
He'd be getting a titleshot before Colby if this were trueKhamzat
My short list.
1) Conor McGregor - He's been a mid to lower level fighter for years but gets whatever he wants because he's the biggest cashcow in the sport and the embodiment of a WWE character who's mouth has gotten him places because he can sell a fight like no other.
2) Jorge Masdvial - I'll admit it's cool he comes comes from the Kimbo era but it seems like the UFC wants him to be at the top of company because he's a draw more than because of his achievements in the Octagon.
3) Sean O'Malley - He's a talented striker and a worthy top 10 fighter but the fact that he's ranked #2 and next in line for a titleshot in the stacked BW division after a highway robbery against Yan tells you all you need to know. His personal style really speaks to the Zoomer crowd.
4) Colby Covington - He really has no notable wins outside a past their prime fighters. He's a good fighter but doesn't belong anywhere near another title shot. Some find his gimmick lame but he invests a hell of a lot into it so you at least have to give him that.
5) Brian Ortega - Hasn't had a win in years, two titleshots already. He's a good fighter, but let's be real about how his looks have gotten him where he is. He doesn't even really have a gimmick like the others here he's simply the UFC pinup boy.
Honorable mentions
Paddy Pimblett - It's pretty obvious the UFC wants him to be something he probably never will be and are trying to protect him against lower level fighters hoping he'll one day blossum. He has a goofy charm that makes him memorable but he's probably the least skilled fighter on this list.
Micheal Chandler - he loses an awful lot yet is somehow still relevant and I'd probably put him higher on the list if he didn't sacrifice himself to the JBG every single fight and wasn't so damn entertaining in the cage.
This thread is odd, because at least half the fighters here don;t know what "protected" means. Take Conor McGregor for instance. You can argue that he's favored, and I' d agree with you. The last few years of his career he got some fights he didn't deserve. But protected? Hell no. Throwing a LW into a cage with Alvarez, Khabib, and Poirier is the opposite of protecting them.
A protected fighter is Paddy Pimblett, or even better yet, Greg Hardy. Just never put in a fight with great or dangerous fighters. Always set up to win.
lolHead mooment!
Jon bones Jones- undefeated against the law and TKOd USADA for life too via pulsing exemption
can get away away with hit and runs, domestic abuse, crack cocaine, presser brawls, and dick pills.
never lost a decision
My short list.
1) Conor McGregor - He's been a mid to lower level fighter for years but gets whatever he wants because he's the biggest cashcow in the sport and the embodiment of a WWE character who's mouth has gotten him places because he can sell a fight like no other.
2) Jorge Masdvial - I'll admit it's cool he comes comes from the Kimbo era but it seems like the UFC wants him to be at the top of company because he's a draw more than because of his achievements in the Octagon.
3) Sean O'Malley - He's a talented striker and a worthy top 10 fighter but the fact that he's ranked #2 and next in line for a titleshot in the stacked BW division after a highway robbery against Yan tells you all you need to know. His personal style really speaks to the Zoomer crowd.
4) Colby Covington - He really has no notable wins outside a past their prime fighters. He's a good fighter but doesn't belong anywhere near another title shot. Some find his gimmick lame but he invests a hell of a lot into it so you at least have to give him that.
5) Brian Ortega - Hasn't had a win in years, two titleshots already. He's a good fighter, but let's be real about how his looks have gotten him where he is. He doesn't even really have a gimmick like the others here he's simply the UFC pinup boy.
Honorable mentions
Paddy Pimblett - It's pretty obvious the UFC wants him to be something he probably never will be and are trying to protect him against lower level fighters hoping he'll one day blossum. He has a goofy charm that makes him memorable but he's probably the least skilled fighter on this list.
Micheal Chandler - he loses an awful lot yet is somehow still relevant and I'd probably put him higher on the list if he didn't sacrifice himself to the JBG every single fight and wasn't so damn entertaining in the cage.