VETERANS USED AS 'LADDER' TO PROMISES IN UFC

This Saturday (16), at UFC 296, lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett faces former interim champion Tony Ferguson, who is coming off six consecutive defeats in the Octagon. Based on this, he recalls ten other times in which veterans served as a 'ladder' for promises in the UFC.

Light heavyweight legend, the 'Iceman' was the last step on the path of then promising Rashad Evans towards a title fight against Forrest Griffin.

Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans

Heavyweight legend, Crocop helped consolidate Junior Cigano's image as future champion of the division in the Brazilian's third fight in the UFC.

Mirko Crocop x  Junior Gypsy

Before becoming, for many, the greatest fighter in history, Jon Jones knocked out former title challenger Vladimir Matyushenko in his third fight in the UFC.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jon Jones

On the way to becoming the most popular name in MMA history, Conor McGregor surpassed veteran Dennis Siver.

Dennis siver  x Conor McGregor

In the complicated final stretch of his career, the lightweight legend served as a 'ladder' for future interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez.

B.J. Penn  x Yair Rodriguez

UFC fight record holder, Arlovski has already been used as a 'ladder' against the likes of Francis Ngannou and, more recently, Tom Aspinall.

Andrei Arlovski x  Francis Ngannou

Paulo Borrachinha not only used Johny Hendricks as a 'step' towards a middleweight title fight, but also retired the former welterweight champion.

Johnny Hendricks x  Paulo borrachinha

Even the biggest ones have their 'ladder' days. Anderson Silva experienced this in the 'passing of the baton' to Nigerian Israel Adesanya.

Anderson Silva x Israel adesanya

Middleweight icon, Ronaldo Jacaré left MMA with four straight defeats, one of them to the then promising fighter in the category, Kevin Holland.

Ronaldo Jacare x  Kevin holland

If in the past he used CroCop as a ladder, more than a decade later, Cigano found himself on the opposite side, serving as a step towards the rise of future interim champion Ciryl Gane.

Junior Cigano x  Cyryl Gane