Gian Villante

Gian Villante was the definition of a tough, blue-collar action fighter: a Long Island brawler out of the Serra-Longo camp who spent the better part of a decade in the UFC's light heavyweight division. A former college football player, he built his career on a granite chin, heavy hands, and a refusal to take a backward step.

Villante never challenged for a title, but he was a reliable gatekeeper who tested everyone he faced, trading knockouts and grinding decisions with the division's other tough outs. His knockout of Ed Herman and his slugfests with the likes of Sam Alvey were exactly what fans came to expect.

For a new fan, Villante represents the unsung backbone of the sport - a durable, fan-friendly fighter who you could count on for a scrap every single time out.