Top 10 Best UFC Fighters of all time

The UFC has grown to become the best MMA promotion company on the planet. Any fighter who makes it to the UFC, despite their rankings, is definitely miles ahead of most MMA fighters globally. Despite this, some fighters stand out due to their exceptional skills coupled with their charisma and confidence towards both the sport and the fans as well.

This list combines the top 10 UFC fighters regardless of their weight class. During the compilation of this list, we took into consideration factors such as number of title defenses, championship reign, their overall MMA record, their title win streak among others.

10. Conor McGregor. (22-6-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – The Notorious
• Height – 5ft 9in (175cm)
• Weight – 156lb (71Kg)
• Divisions – Featherweight (2008–2015), Lightweight (2008–2012, 2016–2018, 2021–present), Welterweight (2016, 2020)
• Style – Boxing, Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Years active – 2008-present

Despite being inactive for over one year, Conor McGregor is undeniably the most famous UFC fighter to ever set foot in the octagon. When speaking about the MMA goats, McGregor is often sidelined in spite of all the things he has done for the sport. Despite having an unlucky streak in the past five years, there is no doubt that he is one of the greats.

Conor McGregor was the first UFC Fighter in history to hold Two belts simultaneously in both the Lightweight and the Featherweight division. Although he did not defend either of the belts, it is worth noting that he defeated both Eddie Alvarez and Jose Aldo who at that time were in their prime. As a matter of fact, Jose Aldo, prior to this fight was undefeated for ten years.

It does not stop there, as McGregor is also the former Cage Warriors Featherweight and lightweight champion. The man was literally allergic to losses earlier in his career. The Notorious Conor McGregor also holds the record for the top five pay per view events in MMA history. Aside from that, he also holds the record for the second highest pay per view event in combat sports history when he fought Floyd Mayweather back in 2017.

As of Last year (2021), he was the highest paid athlete in the world earning a reported income of $180 million. We could go on and on about all the achievements he has accomplished in his career, but there is no denying that he will go in history books as one of the best mixed martial artists to ever set foot in the octagon.

9. Stipe Miocic. (20-4-0)

Stats.

• Nationality – American
• Height – 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
• Weight – 234lb (106 kg)
• Division – Heavyweight
• Reach 80 in (203 cm)
• Stance – Orthodox
• Style – Wrestling, Boxing
• Years active – 2010- present

Stipe Miocic is considered one the greatest UFC Heavyweights to ever set foot in the octagon. Although, he may not draw a lot of attention outside the UFC, there is no denying that Stipe has done some remarkable things in that octagon. He is a former two-time Heavyweight champion of the UFC. In addition to this, he successfully defended the title four times during his two-title reign.

Furthermore, he has the longest title defending streak in the Heavyweight division. (Three consecutive defenses). Stipe also holds the record for the most fight-night bonus awards, nine, which is the most in the history of the UFC Heavyweight division. Out of the 20 wins he has in his MMA career, 15 came by knockout while the other five came by decision.

8. Khabib Nurmagomedov. (29-0-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – The Eagle
• Nationality – Russian
• Height – 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Weight – 155lb (70 kg)
• Division – Lightweight (2008–2010, 2012–2020), Welterweight (2009–2011)
• Reach – 177 cm
• Style – Sambo, Jud0 (Black Belt), Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (White Belt)
• Stance – Orthodox
• Years active – 2008-2020

Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov has one of the cleanest MMA records of all time. The man is clearly allergic to losses. Aside from being the most dominant grappler in MMA history, he is also a two-time Sambo World Champion. Sambo is a combat sport that originated from Russia. It was developed primarily for self defense and it has been long taught to the Elite forces. Although the sport is not well known in the West, those who train in Sambo consider it one of the hardest MMA Sports to master. As the famous quote by Khabib goes; “if Sambo was easy, it would be called Jiu Jitsu.” Click here to read more on Sambo.

The lightweight division, is one of the toughest and most dynamic divisions in the UFC, yet Khabib managed to be the longest reigning lightweight champion. (From 2018 to 2021) The Eagle retired too early, at 32 years and perhaps he would have been the best to ever do it had he stayed for even two more years. It is also worth noting that he defended the Title three times, which is very respectable at the Lightweight division.

7. Kamaru Usman. (20-2-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – The Nigerian Nightmare
• Nationality – Nigerian-American
• Height – 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Weight – 170lb (77 kg)
• Division – Welterweight
• Reach – 76 in (193 cm)
• Style – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt), Wrestling
• Years active – 2010–2012 (freestyle wrestling), 2012–present (MMA)

The Nigerian nightmare is one of the best UFC Welterweights of all time. Being primarily a wrestler, with various accolades in the same, he has mastered the art of take down defense. In fact, prior to the Colby Covington and the Leon Edwards fight in UFC 268 and UFC 278 respectively, Kamaru Usman had a perfect take down defense of 100%. This means that in his long career in the UFC, he had never been taken down prior to these fights. Before UFC 278, he was the UFC’s number one pound for pound fighter in the world.

Kamaru defended the title 5 times before being Knocked out cold by Leon Edwards in UFC 278, a fight which The Nigerian Nightmare was clearly winning. Kamaru Usman has beaten some notable names in the game including Colby Covington twice, Jorge Masvidal twice, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns among others. There is no doubt that Kamaru Usman will go down as one of the best MMA fighters to ever do it.

6. Daniel Cormier. (22-3-0) (1NC)

Stats.

• Nickname – DC
• Nationality – American
• Height – 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
• Weight – 236lb (107 kg)
• Division – Heavyweight (2009–2013, 2018–2020), Light Heavyweight (2014–2018)
• Reach – 72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)
• Style – Wrestling

Daniel Cormier is arguably one of the best wrestlers the Heavyweight division has ever seen. This should come as no surprise as DC has a successful background in wrestling receiving many accolades in the course of his wrestling career. In the UFC, this man was no joke either. After The Notorious Conor McGregor, Cormier was the second fighter in UFC History to hold two belts simultaneously; both in the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. While we are at it, he is the first fighter in UFC history to have title defenses in both divisions. Despite his height and relatively shorter reach when compared to other monsters in these divisions, DC is definitely one of the best to ever do it.

5. Jose Aldo. (33-8-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – Junior
• Height – 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• Weight – 135lb
• Division – Bantamweight (2019–2022), Featherweight (2004–2019), Lightweight (2005)
• Reach – 178 cm (70 in)
• Style – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt), Luta Livre (Black Belt)
• Years active – 2004–2022

Jose Aldo is one of the most underrated fighters to ever set foot in the octagon. The man went undefeated for 10 years in a row. That alone should earn him spot in this list. One of the reasons people throw shade at him is due to the McGregor win over him. In his UFC Career, he defended the featherweight title 7 times which is extremely impressive. It is also worth noting that the loss against Conor, was his first ever loss at featherweight.

In the ten years that he went undefeated, From November 2005 to December 2015, he registered an impressive 18 fight streak win.

4. Anderson Silva (34-11-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – The Spider
• Nationality – Brazilian, American
• Height – 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Weight 185lb (84Kg)
• Division – Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
• Reach – 77+1⁄2[5] in (197 cm)
• Style – Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (3^rd Degree Black Belt), Taekwondo (5^th Dan Black Belt), Capoeira (Yellow Rope), Judo (Black belt)
• Years active – 1997–2020 (MMA), 1998, 2005, 2021–present (Boxing)

Anderson Silva is a household name when it comes to anything combat related. The man has black belts in Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Judo. He is one of the most complete fighters to ever set foot in the octagon. He is good in striking as well as the ground game. Many fighters have mastered the art of either striking or ground game but not both. For example, Israel Adesanya is a phenomenal striker but suffers when the game goes to the ground. Another good example is McGregor. He is an exceptional striker but his ground game is not as good as his striking.

Anderson Silva, despite being a Mixed Martial Artist, is also a boxer and prior to his MMA career, he boxed professionally. Inside the octagon, is where this man displayed his superior MMA skills. He holds the longest title reign at 2457 days from 2006 to 2013. In addition to this, he has 10 title defenses at middle weight which is very impressive. Anderson retired from MMA in November 2020 and returned to boxing.

3. Demetrious Johnson. (31-4-1)

Stats.

• Nickname – Mighty Mouse
• Nationality – American
• Height – 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
• Weight – 135lb (61 kg)
• Division – Bantamweight[a] (2007–2011, 2019–present), Flyweight (2012–2018)
• Reach – 66 in (168 cm)
• Style – Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt), Freestyle wrestling
• Years active – 2007–present

When it comes to the UFC’s most underrated fighter, Mighty mouse has to top the least. I feel as if he never received the hype and love that most champions receive both from the company and the fans. He has the most title defenses in the UFC’s history at 11. He also has the most take downs and finishes at flyweight.

The UFC traded him to One Championship for Ben Askren. This did not affect his performance as he quickly dominated and won the One Flyweight World championship Grand Prix tournament.

2. George St Pierre (26-2-0)

Stats.

• Nickname – Rush
• Residence – Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Nationality – Canadian
• Height – 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
• Weight – 170lb (77 kg)
• Division – Welterweight (2002–2013), Middleweight (2017)
• Reach – 76 in (193 cm)
• Style – 3rd dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate, 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Black belt in Gaidojutsu, Black belt in Shidōkan
• Years active – 2002–2013, 2017 (MMA)

George ‘Rush’ St Pierre has conquered all the milestones of combat sports and is regarded by many as the greatest mixed martial artist to ever set foot on earth. George is a two-division champion in the UFC. (Middleweight and Welterweight) He mainly fought in the Welterweight division where he was a three-time UFC Welterweight champion. He also managed to defend the title 9 times in the course of his UFC career. Furthermore, he also holds the record for the second longest title streak in the UFC at 2204 days.

He retired in 2013 and made a come back in 2017 at Middleweight, where he won the belt against Michael Bisping, making him the fourth fighter in UFC history to be a multi-division champion. It is worth noting that George managed to avenge both of his losses against Matt Serra and Matt Hughes.

1.Jon Jones (26-1-0) (1NC)

Stats.

• Nickname – Bones
• Height – 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
• Weight – 205lb (93 kg)
• Division – Light heavyweight
• Reach – 84+1⁄2 in (215 cm)
• Style – Black belt in Gaidojutsu, Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai
• Years active – 2008–present (MMA)

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is a man that needs no introduction. His resume along with his entertaining fights speak for themselves. At 23 years, he became the youngest UFC champion with his title victory against Mauricio Rua. Since then, Jon Jones has dominated the light heavyweight division with absolutely no losses. However, the one loss on his resume was due to a disqualification in his fight against Matt Hamill, a fight that Jon was clearly winning.

He has the most title defenses in UFC history at 11. He is also a former two-time Light Heavyweight champion. (From March 2011 to April 2015 and from December 2018 to August 2020) Despite his problems with the law and USADA, he is still the GOAT in MMA. He voluntarily vacated the Light Heavyweight belt in 2020 and has since been preparing for his debut in the Heavy Weight division.