5 MMA fighters who deserve a Conor McGregor-like Netflix documentary

Conor McGregor's Netflix documentary 'McGregor Forever' makes us want more

Netflix released the highly-anticipated documentary McGregor Forever and, boy, does it leave you wanting more. When you think about the history of MMA, there are other fighters who fans would be lucky enough to see behind-the-scenes glimpses into their lives.

When considering not only the history, but the storylines, in MMA, there are great narratives for so many fighters. Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Daniel Cormier come to mind. However, there are a few others who can edge them out in terms of influence and legacy.

5 fighters who deserve their own Netflix documentary

1. Jon Jones

To kick things off, there is no one more suitable for a Netflix documentary than Jon Jones. McGregor chose to give us a version of his life, but there's a good chance that Jones, who has always tried to be open about facing his demons, could go a lot deeper into his wins and losses both in the UFC and in life.

The MMA storyline for Jones is well-known, and he is arguably the greatest fighter to ever grace the sport. At the same time, his personal history, which has garnered significant coverage, could make for a perfect end to a tumultuous career. While the traveling film crew might not be around for some of those antics, the before and after, along with his personal anecdote of the situation, could be exactly what MMA fans need.

If you want to see some clips of Jones, The Hurt Business is a good peek into him (and other fighters).

2. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired too soon, but his story and legacy will live on forever. If there was ever a fighter who deserved a full-time camera crew, it's Nurmagomedov.

Looking at Nurmagomedov's rise in the sport and influence around the world, the story of the first true Dagestani sambo wrestler seems all too perfect, especially when you consider the influx of Dagestani MMA fighters who have made their way to the UFC. He has always supported his team and maintained his father as his coach until his passing. Everything about him screams the perfect story for every aspiring fighter.

While this might not be for everyone, his dedication to his religion, which in part plays into his immaculate discipline as a fighter, would also be relatable for so many people. We think of fighters like Belal Muhammad who are recognized for fighting during Ramadan, and Islamic fighters and fans would gain a lot from hearing from one of the best to ever do it.

Maybe the most underrated part of Nurmagomedov's career is his simplicity. Everything from eating burgers to his relationship with Daniel Cormier, he has always been an entertaining fighter outside of the UFC.

3. Jose Aldo

When considering Jose Aldo's overall influence on the sport, he may be the top of his class.

For the old heads, WEC, World Extreme Cagefighting, might ring a bell. During the old days, the UFC's lowest weight class was lightweight, thanks to the WEC who covered all the lower weight classes. Thinking back, it's incredible how many fighters made their way through the WEC en route to a memorable UFC career. Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber, and Anthony Pettis, to name a few, all got their start in the WEC.

Of all the standouts from the WEC, Aldo was the most dominant and a major reason for the UFC to consider adding more weight classes. He was the reigning featherweight champion and, not only fought the best, but had some of the most memorable fights in the promotion's history. Also, his featherweight reign, which is a major part of UFC history, started in the WEC.

Another major reason Aldo would be a great candidate for a Netflix documentary is his influence both in his home country of Brazil and the world. Silva is widely considered the greatest to ever do it, but Aldo's influence on the sport is arguably greater. From the WEC, to bringing up his entire team at Nova Uniao, Aldo has been a pioneer of the sport. Add to that the growth of the lower weight classes and his exciting fights, he has always been considered one of the best to ever do it and left a lasting impression on the sport.

If you want to see a movie-version of Aldo's life, watch Stronger Than The World.

4. Amanda Nunes

If Ronda Rousey didn't have Through My Father's Eyes: The Ronda Rousey Story, she would probably be the best female option for a Netflix documentary. Outside of that, Amanda Nunes and Joanna Jedrzejczyk would be next in line. While Jedrzejczyk might be the more exciting fighter with a strong martial arts background, there is something about Nunes that will always stand out.

Not only does she bridge the gap for the LGBTQ community, but becoming a mother with Nina Nunes while at the height of her UFC career is something to be appreciated. On top of that, she's the only female in UFC history to garner double-champ status.

When you think about the best female fighter of all time, Nunes is not only in the conversation, but Dana White has gone on record saying she is the greatest female fighter in MMA history. In terms of her fight resume, beating Valentina Shevchenko twice, defending the bantamweight title while winning and defending the featherweight title, and overcoming her only title loss against Julianna Pena are all incredible feats.

With Amanda and Nina expecting baby number two, and clearly planning this around her winning the title again, what better gift than her own Netflix documentary.

5. Fedor Emilianenko

One of the major reasons Fedor Emilianenko's Netflix documentary would be phenomenal is the new generation getting a look at PRIDE FC, especially through his eyes. To shout out the old heads once again, PRIDE FC was something special. Thank you, UFC Fight Pass.

One of the major criticisms of Emilianenko's MMA career is never making an appearance with the UFC. After the UFC took over PRIDE FC and it's roster, Emilianenko spent time with Affliction, Strikeforce, M-1, and Bellator. MMA fans will always wonder 'what if' when it comes to Emilianenko, and shedding some light on that situation from his perspective, while also fighting all over the world, would be a great watch.

Nurmagomedov may have a huge influence on this generation of Russian MMA fighters, but Emilianenko has been doing this since 2000. Not only in Russia, but Emilianenko was the market driver outside of the UFC for over a decade. As the old saying goes, Emilianenko is your favorite fighter's favorite fighter.