10 MMA Fighters Who Never Reached Their Full Potential

Where to start with Paulo Filho? A domanitive force in PRIDE and the WEC, racking up an impressive 16-0 records before defending his WEC Middleweight belt in a rematch against Chael Sonnen. He failed to make weight, making the fight a non title fight. So when Sonnen dominated and won the rematch he still didn't capture the belt. Filho was one of the most dangerous Jiu Jitsu artists in MMA and also carried great power in his striking.

Filho suffered from horrific substance abuse, being hospitalised numerous times. He also suffered bouts with depression too. The Brazilian even appeared to be talking to himself at one point in his rematch with Chael Sonnen. After failing to engage and putting on an incredibly poor performance against Sonnen, Filho was was given another chance when he came from behind to beat explosive strike Melvin Manhoef at Dream 10. Filho racked up a few wins after that against mid level opponets before entering his biggest slump yet around 2011, only managing 1 win in 7 fights. Filho was scheduled to face Mamed Khalidov at KSW 17 but withdrew from the fight.

All in all, drug addiction, depression and mixing with the wrong people lead to the eventual downwards spiral of Filho's career. But MMA fans can only dream of what the ultra talented Brazilian may have achieved if these vices had not taken control.