For many, the UFC is the highlight of their careers.
From its inception in 1993 to when Dana White’s childhood friends Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta took over in 2001, the UFC has been MMA’s primary promotion.
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Paige VanZant left the UFC to join the BKFCImage Credit: Sportsfile – Getty
Multiple fighters have achieved Superstar and enjoy the fame and fortune that comes with campaigning as one of the best fighters in the sport.
In rare cases, however, it may prove more beneficial to leave the UFC and pursue other avenues.
Here SunSport lists five stars that benefited from dropping the octagon to go elsewhere.
Paige VanZant
VanZant raised several eyebrows after signing for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship following her UFC release.
But the 26-year-old swimsuit cover girl and the Dancing With the Stars participant showed that she made ten times more at BKFC.
Her pay-per-view debut attracted a lot of attention, although it resulted in a loss.
VanZant earned the respect of doubters who questioned her toughness when she was hit hard and injured after losing to Britain.
But the American, who had an 8-5 MMA record, refused to quit and confirmed plans to fight again in BKFC.
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Paige VanZant lost her BKFC debut to Britain HartPhoto credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Brock Lesnar
When Lesnar signed for the UFC in 2008, he did so after a successful championship run in the WWE and failed in the NFL.
He won the title and made two defenses within a year, but had to retire from the heavyweight division by 2011 due to diverticulitis problems.
Lesnar then returned to WWE in 2012 and stayed part-time until his contract expired last September.
After his exit from the UFC, he earned the highest earning salary when Vince McMahon brought him back to WWE.
The 43-year-old Lesnar made a guest comeback against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 but was controversial after a failed drug test turned the result into a no-contest.
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WWE legend and ex-UFC champion Brock LesnarPhoto credit: AP: Associated Press
Nick Diaz
The Stockton cult hero had already built a reputation for himself with the UFC and Pride in Japan before signing for Strikeforce.
But under Scott Coker’s now-completed promotion, Diaz became welterweight champion and made four defenses.
He also knocked out Paul Daley in a memorable back and forth fight that is celebrated to this day.
When Diaz returned to the UFC, he was a great player, battling legends BJ Penn and Carlos Condit before losing to Georges St-Pierre at the welterweight division.
He then lost to Anderson Silva middleweight – now a no-contest after a failed drug test – in his last fight, but Diaz, 37, plans a return in 2021.
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Nick Diaz became a Strikeforce Champion before returning to the UFCPhoto credit: Getty Images – Getty
Ryan Bader
Bader had a stellar UFC light heavyweight career, losing only one in eight before leaving the organization.
The risk paid off, however, when he became the Bellator champion on his advertising debut against Phil Davis in 2017.
He later won the heavyweight crown and became a two-weight champion.
The 37-year-old Bader still rules the light heavyweight division, but lost his 20 kg belt in a defeat against Vadim Nemkov last August.
After leaving the UFC, the American solidified himself as a figurehead for competitor Bellator.
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Ryan Bader quit the UFC and became a Bellator two-weight championPhoto credit: AP: Associated Press
Artem Lobov
Conor McGregor’s training partner and close friend, 34, became a fan favorite in the UFC, famous for fighting anyone anywhere.
But his 13-15-1 record made it difficult to pursue any title ambitions despite taking in all comers while maintaining the love of the supporters.
When he joined BKFC he immediately became a major attraction and his style matched the brutal clash of exposed fists.
Lobov went on to beat McGregor’s rival Paulie Malignaggi in a heated PPV match that drew a great deal of attention.
He is currently 2-1 in the BKFC, once linked to Jason Knight, but announced a return to MMA in 2020, despite being scrapped in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Artem Lobov had three BKFC fightsWatch Paige VanZant and Britain Hart clash at KnuckleMania as they weigh in explosively in front of the ex-UFC star’s bare ankle arch
