I'd agree that in general that being a specialist does not cut it at the highest level but it is telling that specialists can still get into the UFC and have more wins than losses.

If Ryan Hall attempted to fight a more traditional MMA style, he likely does not make it to the UFC and if he did, he wouldn't be giving himself the best opportunity to win. That is why I like specialists who can make it to the UFC and apply what makes them unique and still compete. It makes for different fights and tactics. Plus, there are still some that can take it pretty far as specialists.

When "specialists" have a style that doesn't lead to knock outs or flashy fights, they tend to get told "specialists don't cut it" or they don't belong in the UFC.

Yet, pretty one dimensional fighters still sometimes can be effective and when they lead to knock outs - people aren't usually applying the same standard of judgement.

Derrick Lewis is pretty one dimensional and is fighting for an interim title.