No.6: Lyoto Machida
After a slump in form in his late 30’s that saw him lose four of his his previous five fights, including violent KO defeats against Yoel Romero and Derk Brunson, there was some doubt as to whether former UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida would even still be competing when he reached his 40th birthday.
During that period he also served an 18-month suspension for testing positive for the banned substance 7-keto-DHEA, which he’d been using as a stress reliever after becoming plagued by anxiety due to his losing streak.
Machida has himself admitted that he would likely have hung his gloves up if things had continued the way they were, but the suspension gave him time to clear his head and come back stronger.
The results of that have now been proven in the Octagon as Machida back on the right track having won his last two fights in a row, following up a split decision victory over Eryk Anders with one of 2018’s Knockouts Of The Year – a spectacular front kick finish that sent fellow veteran Vitor Belfort into retirement.
Now having turned 40, Machida has opted to end his long assocation with the UFC and moved on to the next chapter in his career with Bellator, where he’ll make his debut against Rafael Carvalho later this month.
No.5: Marion Reneau
Marion Reneau holds the distinction of being the UFC’s first ever female fighter over the age of 40, and she’s proven herself to be more than worthy of a place on the roster.
Remarkably, Reneau didn’t even start training until she was in her 30’s and began competing professionally at 32 as a way to help save money for her son’s college fund.
Reneau’s age almost cost her a place in the UFC as when she auditioned for The Ultimate Fighter 18 she claims to have been rejected by Dana White due to being too old (36).
However, Reneau wasn’t going to take no for an answer and has since made White eat humble pie by still managing to fight her way in the promotion at the age of 37, with White publicly apologizing to her after she won her UFC debut.
In total Reneau has gone on to compile a 5-3-1 record in the UFC, and after turning 40 last year has claimed two stoppage victories over Talita Bernardo and Sara McMann, before losing to Cat Zingano, which leaves her ranked No.7 in the bantamweight division heading into 2019.
