Issue 186

December 2019

Robert Whittaker's unsuccessful return to the Octagon after his long layoff revived memories of other champions who were injured in their prime. Here's the top six inactive UFC reigns...

ROBERT WHITTAKER 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS

ANTHONY PETTIS 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS

CONOR McGREGOR 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS

GEORGES ST-PIERRE 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS

CAIN VELASQUEZ 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS

DOMINICK CRUZ 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS

Unfortunately for Cruz, an agonizing series of injuries sidelined him for almost three years. After 26 months, the UFC decided it couldn’t wait any longer and he was stripped of his title. It's now almost three years since he last fought. 

GSP was side-lined for 19 months in total with two knee injuries forcing him out of two scheduled bouts. He returned to face Interim Champion Carlos Condit at UFC 154, and successfully unified the belts.

Former UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis is the only fighter on this list for whom the UFC did not create an Interim title while he was inactive. He then defended successfully against Gilbert Melendez.