10. Mauricio Rua
While two recent knockout losses and a lengthy injury history have dropped Rua on the list, he remains one of the toughest guys to ever strap on a pair of four-ounce gloves. Even the most granite of chins crack at some point, given enough punishment, and Rua has taken enough brutal shots that it was only a matter of time.
That ability to absorb damage is what allowed Rua to survive three brutal rounds against Dan Henderson in their first meeting, including a knockdown from one of Henderson’s thunderous right hands. Few fighters have survived a flush “H-Bomb,” but Rua roared back to dominate the final two frames for what by all right should have been a draw. An obviously depleted Rua had to absorb a tremendous amount of punishment in his next fight against Brandon Vera before he was finally able to get the finish. He managed to survive three full rounds against the hard-hitting Alexander Gustafsson, as well, despite eating a substantial number of shots, and kept it competitive against a talented up and comer.
Despite being past his peak from 2011 forward, Rua’s durability allowed him to fight through his opponents’ bursts of offense and wear them down with his sheer capacity for taking punishment. His fragile knees and generally quick deterioration from his physical prime hurt him in these rankings, but take nothing away from the heart and mental toughness he showed for so long.
Number 9 » His ability and willingness to absorb punishment has long been an essential part of his appeal. The winner of the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” is defined by his heart, cardio and desire to engage in blood-soaked slobberknockers. Ridiculous, next-level durability is a must-have for a fighter who fits that profile, and he owns it in spades.