Golden Oldies: Best UFC Veteran Performances

Mixed martial arts, like most other professional sports, is usually, and unfairly, considered something better left to the young. While it’s generally considered fact that fighters usually peak towards the end of their twenties and early thirties, a small number of veterans have bucked this trend, and have continued to excel beyond the life expectancy of an average fighter. This post looks at five of the best performances put in from fighters who many previously felt were way past their ‘sell-by date’.

Tito Ortiz
vs. Ryan Bader - UFC 132, 2011

Okay, Tito Ortiz at this point was definitely not bucking the trend as a golden oldie, but his shock victory over up and comer Ryan Bader proved that age doesn’t factor when your back is against the wall, or cage in this instance. Winless in five long years and facing release from the UFC in the event of another defeat, The under-fire ‘Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ pulled off the miraculous age-defying and career-saving victory with a short right and subsequent guillotine choke for the tap after less than two minutes of first round action.

Vitor Belfort
vs. Luke Rockhold - UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold, 2013

The legitimacy of Vitor Belfort’s three-fight reign of terror back in 2013 will likely always be debated thanks to the legendary Brazilian’s use of testosterone replacement therapy, but one thing is almost certain: No drug on the planet can teach you to throw such a devastating kick. ‘Welcoming’ the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Luke Rockhold to the UFC, the then 36-year old Belfort demonstrated his ever-evolving game by finishing Rockhold with a stunning wheelkick inside the first frame.

Belfort would continue his freakish form by becoming the first man to finish fellow TRT-er Dan Henderson with strikes. Will ‘The Phenom’ repeat his success when the two meet again this weekend?

Fabricio Werdum
vs. Cain Velasquez - UFC 188, 2015

Fabricio Werdum’s transformation en-route to capturing the UFC heavyweight title was nothing short of amazing. Originally a one-dimensional jiu-jitsu wizard, the Brazilian hooked up with revered coach Rafael Cordeiro and soon embarked on a run of victories that coincided with a shot against the seemingly invincible champion, Cain Velasquez. Competing in the champion’s native country, the then 37-year old Werdum looked a totally different fighter to the one once destroyed by Junior Dos Santos, as he picked Velazquez apart with his radically improved standup before securing the title with an expertly applied guillotine choke.

Dan Henderson
vs. ‘Shogun’ Rua - UFC 139, 2011

Making his long-awaited return to the UFC fresh off a highlight-reel stoppage of heavyweight all-time great Fedor Emelianenko, Dan Henderson continued his hot streak with another stunning performance, this time against fellow former Pride veteran ‘Shogun’ Rua. In an instant classic bout for the ages, Henderson and Rua battled back-and-forth for five unforgettable rounds with the American earning a razor-thin decision from the judges. Their war was remarkable, but the fact that Henderson was 41 at the time only serves to further enhance the reputation of one of the sport’s greatest veteran competitors.

Henderson may have hit hard times in recent years, but remains active as ever and, now 45-years young, heads into this weekend’s rubber match with Vitor Belfort. Can Henderson keep his storied career alive, and gain revenge over the first man to knock him out?

Randy Couture
vs. Tim Sylvia - UFC 68, 2007

Randy Couture is probably as close to Rocky Balboa as the UFC will ever get. Coming out of retirement and competing at heavyweight for the first time in five years, the then 43-year old former two-division champion faced tall odds, literally, in the form of the reigning 6ft 8 champion, Tim Sylvia. Unfazed by his opponent, Couture resumed his age-defying ways almost immediately when he dropped Sylvia with a huge right just seconds into the first round. From there it was all Couture as he dominated the stunned champion for the remainder of the bout, sweeping the judge’s scorecards and completing a remarkable comeback with a unanimous verdict to win the title an unprecedented, and as-yet unmatched third time.

Couture may have been ancient in sporting years, but he was in no way finished. Following his title triumph, ‘The Natural’ would go on to compete another seven times before finally calling it a day at the grand old age of 47 in 2010.

What is your favourite veteran performance in the UFC? Do you see anyone else achieving what Randy Couture did? Who wins this weekend's fight between Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort? Leave your comments in the section below!