10 Great Retired UFC Champions Not In The Hall Of Fame

7. Murilo Bustamante

The Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro won the UFC Middleweight Championship belt in January of 2002 after TKO-ing then Champion Dave Menne at UFC 35. He successfully defended his title by submitting a 7-0 undefeated contender in Matt Lindland, via guillotine choke at UFC 37. Bustamante would vacate his belt to sign with Pride Fighting Championship and competed for several other top organizations throughout his career until his final bout in March of 2012.

While his stint in the UFC was the shortest on this list, he went 3-1 with his only loss coming against an up and coming super star; future Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Fame legend, Chuck Liddell at UFC 33. For winning and defending the Middleweight belt, and leaving on top, Murilo Bustamante would make for a strong future candidate to the UFC Hall of Fame.

HoF wing eligibility: PIONEER