6 Unlikely UFC Champions Who Defied The Odds

5. Rafael Dos Anjos

Miesha Tate, right, chokes Holly Holm during their UFC 196 womens bantamweight mixed martial arts match Saturday, March 5, 2016, in Las Vegas. Tate won by submission. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
© Celso Pupo/Fotoarena/Corbis

Though he would eventually win UFC gold, Rafael Dos Anjos spent the 1st 5 years of his UFC career in relative obscurity. In the early part of his UFC run, the soft-spoken Brazilian had a 4-4 record and appeared destined to be little more than stepping stone for future headliners.

However, following a one-sided loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2014, something seemed to click for Dos Anjos. No longer content to dwell in mediocrity, a noticeably improved version of the Brazilian went on to win 3 consecutive fights against Jason High, Benson Henderson, and Nate Diaz respectively.

His impressive win streak led to a showdown with UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. Despite entering the fight as a significant underdog, Dos Anjos dominated Pettis and won the bout via unanimous decision — capturing the lightweight title in the process. He would even go on to defend the belt against a man who will likely end up in the UFC Hall of Fame, Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone.

Rafael Dos Anjos went from being a journeyman to taking his own journey to the top of the UFC lightweight division.

 
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From 1999-2003 Jacques performed on the Florida independent pro wrestling circuit. He also has an amateur wrestling background and currently holds a certification in Krav Maga. Jacques graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003, with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. Follow him on twitter @goodeals79.