The UFC has been around for 30 years, and during that time, many legendary fighters have competed in the Octagon. While over 100 athletes have been UFC champions, determining the greatest of all time is tough due to the sport’s evolution.
However, a few fighters stand out as the best in UFC history. Here are the ten best UFC fighters of all time
10. Stipe Miocic
The UFC heavyweight title has changed hands often, making it hard to pinpoint the greatest heavyweight. While Cain Velasquez was highly talented, he only defended the title twice.
Stipe Miocic stands out as the most successful heavyweight, earning a spot among the UFC’s all-time greats. After joining in 2011, Miocic rose to the elite level in 2014. A controversial loss to Junior Dos Santos motivated him, and he went on to claim the title by knocking out Fabricio Werdum. Miocic defended his title four times, setting a record.
Although he lost the title to Francis Ngannou in 2021, Miocic might return for another run. As the most accomplished heavyweight, he deserves recognition as one of the best.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Indian MMA Fighters
9. Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, joined MMA in 2013 and quickly signed with the UFC. After just four fights, he challenged flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson but lost by TKO. However, Cejudo soon improved his striking to match his wrestling skills and eventually defeated Johnson to win the flyweight title.
In 2019, Cejudo retained his title by knocking out TJ Dillashaw in 32 seconds. He then moved up in weight, won the bantamweight title, and became just the fourth UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously. In 2020, he retired after stopping Dominick Cruz, leading to debates about his all-time greatness. If Cejudo returns and regains his title, his legendary status would be undeniable.
8. Alexander Volkanovski
The UFC’s featherweight division has seen legends like Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Frankie Edgar. Yet, Alexander Volkanovski has emerged as the greatest of them all, and one of the UFC’s all-time best.
Debuting in 2016, Volkanovski quickly climbed the ranks with six straight wins, including a knockout of Chad Mendes. In 2019, he solidified his status by outpointing Aldo and claiming the featherweight title in a thrilling victory over Holloway. He has since defended his title four times, defeating top contenders and proving himself nearly unbeatable at 145 pounds.
Even a recent loss in a lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev doesn’t overshadow his legacy. Volkanovski’s dominance in the featherweight division cements his place among the greatest fighters in UFC history.
7. Amanda Nunes
If the list were just female fighters, Amanda Nunes would be the clear choice for the greatest of all time.
“The Lioness” is one of only four UFC fighters to hold titles in two weight classes at once and has defeated seven former champions. She debuted in the UFC in 2013, and by UFC 200, she won the bantamweight title by dominating Miesha Tate.
Nunes also defended her title against Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, and Raquel Pennington before moving up to featherweight. There, she ended Cris Cyborg’s 13-year unbeaten streak in just 51 seconds.
She has defended both titles multiple times, totaling seven successful defenses. A 2021 loss to Julianna Peña was quickly avenged, reaffirming her place as a UFC legend.
6. Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier, one of four fighters to hold UFC titles in two weight classes at once, retired in 2020 with a record of 22 wins and 4 losses.
Starting his MMA career in 2009 after a successful wrestling background, Cormier joined the UFC in 2013 as StrikeForce Heavyweight Champion. Despite his smaller size, he won the Light-Heavyweight title by defeating Anthony Johnson.
Cormier later became a double champion by knocking out Stipe Miocic for the Heavyweight title in 2018. He lost both a rematch and a third fight with Miocic, leading to his retirement at 41. His legacy as a great fighter endures, despite not defeating Jon Jones.
5. Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, the UFC flyweight champion from 2012 to 2018, is renowned as one of the greatest fighters ever. He holds the record for most UFC title defenses with 11 and ended his UFC career with a 15-2-1 record.
Starting as a bantamweight in 2011, Johnson defeated notable fighters but lost to Dominick Cruz, prompting his move to flyweight. He quickly became the inaugural flyweight champion and was dominant until losing a close rematch to Henry Cejudo in 2018.
Johnson was then traded to ONE FC in a deal that brought Ben Askren to the UFC. Despite not gaining widespread casual fan attention, his exceptional skills are widely recognized. His lower ranking is due to the flyweight division’s relatively lighter competition compared to other UFC weight classes.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Defenders in International Men’s Hockey
4. Anderson Silva
In 2010, Anderson Silva was often seen as the greatest UFC fighter ever. By 2013, his middleweight reign had lasted nearly seven years with ten successful defenses and 16 straight wins. Silva, who joined the UFC in 2006, quickly made a mark by knocking out Chris Leben and winning the title from Rich Franklin. He dominated the 185-pound division, defeating top contenders effortlessly.
However, his career took a hit when Chris Weidman knocked him out in July 2013 and again in a rematch, resulting in a severe leg injury. Despite continuing to fight and losing five of his last six bouts before retiring in 2020, Silva’s late-career struggles and two positive drug tests have affected his legacy. While he remains one of the top five UFC fighters of all time, he is no longer considered the greatest.
3. Khabib Nurmagomedov
It’s extremely rare for UFC fighters to remain unbeaten, and even rarer to win a title without a loss. Khabib Nurmagomedov is the only fighter to achieve this.
Despite retiring in 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje, Khabib’s impact on the lightweight division remains significant. Fans still consider him the true lightweight champion, even with new titleholders since his retirement.
Khabib entered the UFC in 2012 with a 16-0 record, reaching 21-0 by the end of 2013. Although injuries limited his fights from 2014 to 2017, he continued to win against top opponents. In 2018, he secured the lightweight title by defeating Al Iaquinta, and his biggest victory came against Conor McGregor, whom he submitted in the fourth round.
Khabib’s legacy is cemented by his undefeated record of 29-0, making him the greatest lightweight fighter ever and one of UFC’s top fighters overall.
2. Jon Jones
Without USADA and drug tests, Jon Jones would likely be at the top of this list. He’s been with the UFC for over ten years, lost only once by disqualification, and has beaten many top fighters.
However, his positive drug tests, including a 2015 cocaine test and a 2018 ‘pulsing’ issue, have impacted his reputation. Despite this, he’s had an amazing career, starting as a top prospect in 2008 and winning the light-heavyweight title.
After 2015, his career slowed, with only six fights in five years, though he won them all. This year, he returned to win the heavyweight title. While his past drug issues are hard to ignore, his skill and dominance are impressive.
1. Georges St. Pierre
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and others have impressive records, but none match Georges St. Pierre as the greatest UFC fighter ever.
St. Pierre dominated UFC for a decade, winning 20 fights against top welterweights. He lost twice but avenged those losses. After initially losing to Matt Hughes in 2004, he won the welterweight title, defended it nine times, and later became a two-division champion by beating Michael Bisping. His dominance and skill make him the best UFC fighter of all time.
READ MORE:
