8 MMA Fighters You Didn't Realise Are Still Competing

With an ever-growing number of fighters signed to the UFC roster, and alternative promotions such as Bellator and ONE Championship rising to prominence, it is getting increasingly more difficult to keep track of all the fights going on recently. For the longest time, the number of fighters signed to the UFC was significantly smaller than it is today and the organisation would only host four or five pay-per-view events per year.

These days, however, the UFC's deal with ESPN, and its offerings on UFC Fight Pass mean that even the most committed fight fan will struggle to keep up with the exploits of all the over 500 fighters competing in the organisation.

As a result, sometimes a high-profile fighter can continue his career in relative obscurity to the wider masses. Maybe they're no longer fighting on one of the elite promotions or are no longer facing the highest levels of competition, there's a number of reasons why fighters can fall off the radar without even factoring in events in their personal lives.

These are just some examples of famous fighters that are literally still kicking in the sport.

Matt Wiman first came onto the MMA scene through his appearance as a castmate in the legendary fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter. Featuring as a member of BJ Penn's team in a season that saw names such as Nate Diaz, Gray Maynard, Joe Lauzon, and Cole Miller compete, it would've been easy for Wiman to get lost in the shuffle once he made his way into the UFC.

However, the Colorado native would defy expectations and go on to quickly establish himself as a prospect at 155lbs with a stoppage of fellow TUF alumn Brian Geraghty. Wiman would continue to endear himself to UFC fans throughout his early career, including winning Fight of the Night bonuses in three consecutive bouts between 2008 and 2009.

After compiling a more-than-respectable 10-5 record with the UFC following a unanimous decision victory over Isaac Vallie-Flagg in 2014, Wiman would take an unexpected hiatus from competition.

Then, after nearly five years since his last bout, Wiman returned to the UFC in July of last year to take on the man known as 'Violent Bob Ross', Luis Peña. Wiman's return against the touted prospect ten years his junior would not end in his favour though. Peña dominated the entirety of the fight before finishing Wiman with ground and pound in the third round.

Wiman again returned to the Octagon in December, dropping a decision to UFC debutant Joe Solecki.