Sherdog.com’s 2015 Comeback Fighter of the Year

5. Evan Dunham

Evan Dunham was just 1-3 over the past two years. Once an unassuming yet promising lightweight prospect, the Las Vegas-based Oregonian fell on hard times. He was closer to the chopping block than contender status, as Dunham dropped three consecutive bouts in decisive fashion, albeit against well-regarded opposition.

To reverse his trajectory, Dunham logged his first significant winning streak since 2010. His 45 minutes in the Octagon this year were split between Rodrigo Damm, Ross Pearson and Joe Lauzon, the unanimous decision victories propping up Dunham at a critical juncture in his career. The 34-year-old did not notch any post-fight performance bonuses in 2015; he was simply workmanlike in outperforming his forward-gunning opponents in a hardscrabble division. The streak serves as a potential foundation for a top-10 run in 2016, provided Dunham keeps logging victories. If nothing else, it afforded him some much-needed job security. While 34 may seem late for a renaissance, it is worth noting that Dunham did not start his career until he was in his mid-20s. He had to learn on the job inside the Octagon. The lightweight division is a right-time-right-place world, and Dunham’s winning streak foretells better times ahead.

Losing three straight fights would be enough to shake the confidence of any fighter. Dunham’s resurgence allows him room for growth in the New Year, with sterner opposition undoubtedly ahead.