(Don’t worry Bob, it can only get better from here. That has to be true at least once in a while.) 

Imagine this scenario; you’re an up and coming fighter in the cut-throat world of MMA who’s finally earned his shot at the big time. The packed stadium, the camera crews, the ring girls, they’re all there. And best of all, your fight is about to be broadcast for the world to see. “I’ve made it,” you think as you bathe in the bright lights shining down on you.

But then, before you know what hit you, you’re looking up at a large, possibly Rastafarian man, who’s asking if you know where you are. And for the rest of your life, you are dubbed “that guy who got destroyed by ______ .” No matter what you accomplish, you will always be known for one bump in the road that just about everyone happened to witness. Well, here at CP, we know this story all too well, so we decided to check up on a few of these poor suckers, VH1 style, and find out what they were up to. Because knowing is half the battle. Enjoy.

Dos Caras Jr.

What (most of us) know him for: As one of the victims of the greatest MMA technique of 2003.

What he’s been up to: As it turns out, Dos Caras Jr. has actually had a rather successful career since nearly being decapitated by Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic back at PRIDE – Bushido 1. His real name is Alberto Rodriguez, and he actually wasn’t that bad of a fighter. Honestly, considering he both wore a mask and went by a fake name, he was a pretty damn awesome fighter, and easily the most successful. After dropping a unanimous decision to Kazuhiro Nakamura at Pride 27, “Two Faces” went 6-1, with all wins coming by way of stoppage. He even managed to pull out a head kick KO of his own back in 2010 against 3-8 fighter Arthur Bart.

Where he is now: Living the high (though occasional crippling) life as a professional wrestler for the WWE. He now goes by the name Alberto Del Rio, which is a hell of a lot catchier in our opinion. After defeating C.M Punk at this year’s SummerSlam, Alberto became the first ever Mexican-born WWE champion in the promotion’s history. It’s safe to say that brown pride is at an all time high right now.

Ryan Roberts

What (most of us) know him for: No, that is not Ryan Roberts in the above photo. You want to know why? Well, it’s because “Are You Ready?” was defeated so quickly in his one and only octagon appearance back at UFN 13 that few remember he was ever there, instead choosing to remember the beautiful armbar that Marcus Aurelio, the man pictured above, pulled on him in under 20 seconds.

What he’s been up to: Unfortunately, the Gods of fate have not been kind to Ryan Roberts following his crushing UFC defeat. The loss to Aurelio was the first of a 6 fight skid that would see Roberts come up short against names like Joe “The Nose” Wilk, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, and Bellator veteran Eric “The Machine” Marriot. Speaking of Bellator….

Where he is now: After evening the score with Marriot at VFC 32, Roberts would again be upended by “The Machine” in his Bellator debut. After a drop to bantamweight and a 3-0-1 streak, Roberts recently faced off against Bellator bantamweight champ Zach “Fun Size” Machovsky at Bellator 54 in one of their infamous non-title fights. But where Travis Wiuff succeded, Roberts would fall to a first round north-south choke, bringing his big promotion record to 0-3. Sucks bro, but as the great Mastodon say, that’s just the curl of the burl.

Paul Herrera

What (most of us) know him for: The recipient of “Ask” Gary Goodridge’s most brutal knockout and victim of perhaps one of the latest stoppages in UFC history.

What he’s been up to: No, Paul did not die that night; he walked away with only a concussion and a broken cheekbone. In fact, Herrera was interviewed shortly after the loss by People magazine and had the following to say: ”I’m fine, I’ve had my ass stomped worse than that before. I spent the next day drinking Stoli martinis and getting loaded.” These are the words of a true badass, ladies and gentlemen. Herrera has since been making his name as a private wrestling instructor in California and has raised two kids, who are from all reports, pretty damn good fighters in their own right. He even returned to the MMA scene in 2002, scoring a decision victory over Joe Moreira. That name sound familiar? That’s because Joe Moreira holds a submission via terror win over convicted psychopath Joe Son. And beating up someone who scares a serial rapist/killer deserves recognition in its own right.

Where he is now: Along with his father, Joe “Headlock” Herrera, Paul is one of the head trainers at The Empire Training Center in Corona, California. And according to the website’s bio, he is quote:

In this area of each of the instructors I would like to know if they would take a few minutes to write down their philosophy on mixed martial arts and being an instructor.

Truer words have never been spoken.

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