Hype and hyperbole are valued currencies in the mixed martial arts world, as the buzz surrounding an athlete and the grand comparisons made about an individual competitor can thrust them into the spotlight before they’ve accomplished much of anything inside the Octagon.
A couple highlight reel finishes, some lofty praise from key individuals, and the fervent backing of the online community can propel a UFC novice to the brink of contention, with expectations for a championship reign hung around their necks before they’ve found their footing or truly established themselves within their respective divisions.
But few of those hyped up newcomers live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them early in their UFC careers, leading critics and observers to unfairly categorize them as busts or write them off before they’ve had a chance to develop into fully formed fighters.