Sylvester Stallone’s classic line from Rocky Balboa perfectly sums up the spirit of the UFC’s greatest comeback stories, “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Inside the Octagon, sometimes it’s not just about skill, strength, or speed; it’s about resilience—the ability to rise after every fall and keep pushing forward, no matter how battered or bruised.

Few athletes embody this tenacity like Robbie Lawler, Michael Bisping, Glover Teixeira, Dan Hooker, and Charles Oliveira, who have all faced their darkest days only to surge back to the top. Each faced dark days that would have ended most careers, yet they returned stronger, turning setbacks into setups for legendary comebacks and etched their names in the history books forever! 

Robbie Lawler- A truly ‘Ruthless’ comeback to the UFC

Robbie Lawler, or ‘Ruthless’ to fans, stormed into the MMA world in 2001. He wasn’t just another fighter—he was raw power, pure aggression, and a thirst for victory. Remember his UFC debut at UFC 37 in 2002? Lawler came out swinging, securing four knockout wins in his first handful of fights. But soon after, a cloud of doubt crept in. Back-to-back losses to Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner in 2004 marked his exit from the UFC. Was it the end of his UFC dreams? Not quite.

Lawler took his fierce skills to other promotions like KOTC, PRIDE, Elite XC, and Strikeforce. Yet, as he fought his way through these organizations, many wondered—was greatness slipping away from ‘Ruthless’ Robbie? But the fire never died. Lawler returned to the Octagon in 2013 with a vengeance, delivering a first-round finish against Josh Koscheck at UFC 157. In 2014, he faced Johny Hendricks at UFC 171. The result? A split-decision loss.

But in a jaw-dropping rematch against Hendricks at UFC 181, Lawler captured the welterweight title via split decision. Lawler didn’t just win; he forged an unforgettable legacy. His blood-soaked brawl with Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 was hailed as one of the greatest fights in MMA history, a gritty showdown of wills that UFC boss Dana White called “an instant classic.”

Even in his final bout at UFC 290, Lawler left the cage in style, knocking out Niko Price in just 38 seconds. Robbie Lawler’s journey is the stuff of legends—proof that grit and determination can bring the ‘Ruthless’ to the top, again and again.

Glover Teixeira- Almost fell off, but came back stronger 

Glover Teixeira’s story is one for the ages. In 1999, he left Sobralia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, seeking a better life in America for his family. Little did he know, this journey would pull him into the world of mixed martial arts. By the time he joined the UFC in 2012, Teixeira had made a name for himself. With victories over big names like Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Ryan Bader, he seemed destined for championship gold.

Fans saw him as a future titleholder. But when he stepped into the cage with Jon Jones at UFC 172, things didn’t go his way. He lost by decision, and the title slipped just out of reach. Over the next several years, he struggled to put together a significant winning streak and found himself getting further away from the title picture.

But Teixeira turned things around soon and embarked on a 5-fight winning streak from 2019 to 2020 that earned him a title shot against Jan Blachowicz in 2021. At 42, Teixeira submitted Blachowicz in the second round at UFC 267 to become the oldest first-time UFC champion in history. This monumental achievement brought him full circle, as he finally held the title that had eluded him for so long. Teixeira’s story is proof that age is just a number if you have the determination to chase your dreams!

Michael Bisping- Became a UFC champ with just one eye 

Michael Bisping’s journey could have been plucked right out of a Hollywood blockbuster. The proud Brit made his way to the UFC spotlight through ‘The Ultimate Fighter 3,’ where he claimed victory and earned a UFC contract. Bisping first fought in the light-heavyweight division, but in 2008, he dropped down to 185 lbs. There, he proved himself as a top-tier middleweight contender. But in 2013, a devastating setback struck. During a fight with Vitor Belfort, Bisping suffered a detached retina—an injury that would change his career forever. Trading wins and losses in his next few fights, ‘The Count’ went on a 3-fight undefeated streak from 2015 – 2016 and this is where it all changed.

In 2016, fate dealt him a surprising hand when an injured Chris Weidman pulled out of a title fight, giving Bisping a chance to face Luke Rockhold on just 17 days’ notice. Against the odds, Bisping knocked Rockhold out in the first round, securing the UFC middleweight title and becoming the first British champion in UFC history. The world watched in awe as Bisping defied all expectations and proved that even with one eye, he was still the best middleweight on the planet that night!

Dan Hooker- ‘Hangman’ is back at the top

Known as ‘The Hangman’, Dan Hooker’s path to the top was filled with near-misses and hard-fought battles. Starting out in New Zealand’s MMA circuit in 2009, Hooker caught the UFC’s attention and joined its ranks in 2014. Known for his striking power and nearly unbreakable chin, he quickly became a threat in the lightweight division. But the climb wasn’t smooth.

Between 2017 and 2020, Hooker looked unstoppable, losing only once to Edson Barboza and inching closer to a title shot. Then came the turning point. In 2020, he faced Dustin Poirier in a brutal five-round war, only to lose on the scorecards. The setbacks didn’t stop there. In early 2021, Michael Chandler defeated him with a swift first-round stoppage, and losses to Islam Makhachev and Arnold Allen soon followed.

At one point, Hooker even hinted at retirement, leaving fans to wonder if they’d seen the last of the New Zealand warrior. But he wasn’t ready to hang up his gloves yet. Finishing Claudio Puelles at UFC 281 and winning two gritty wars against Jalin Turner at UFC 290 and Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, Hooker is now ranked no. 6 in the lightweight division. He’s also recently been linked to a possible fight against Conor McGregor in 2025, but his comeback is a testament to tenacity—a reminder that even when the world counts you out, there’s always another round to fight.

Charles Oliveira- The most dramatic comeback in the UFC’s history

With so many comeback stories, the most dramatic spot on the list belongs to Charles Oliveira. Born in the favelas of São Paulo, Oliveira faced hardships early on. At age seven, doctors warned him he might never play sports as he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and rheumatic fever. Yet, with his family’s support, he overcame his health struggles and began his MMA journey. From humble beginnings, Oliveira climbed the ranks, quickly earning a reputation for his lethal submissions.

In 2010, he finally found himself under the spotlight of the Octagon and in his debut against Darren Elkins, submitted him via armbar in just 41 seconds into the fight. But Oliveira’s career in the UFC was a rollercoaster. After some early wins, he went through a rough patch, facing losses that had many doubting if he’d ever reach the top. However, in 2018, ‘Do Bronx’ seemingly flipped a switch.

From June 2018 to May 2022, the Brazilian remained undefeated in the UFC. But the biggest win came in 2021 when he took on Michael Chandler at UFC 262 for the vacant lightweight title. Dropped by Chandler in the first round, Oliveira rallied, scoring a TKO in the second round to claim the belt, and broke the record for the most finishes in UFC history!

Now, at UFC 309, Chandler and Oliveira are set to face each other again in a rematch without the title on the line. But having gone from an underdog to a champion to now being one of the most recognizable figures in the world of mixed martial arts, Charles Oliveira’s story serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever been told they’re not good enough! From Lawler’s relentless return to Oliveira’s dramatic rise, these stories showcase the human spirit at its most unbreakable. How would you rank these stories? Share it with us in the comments below.