The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC )was born in 1993, but it wasn't until 2001 – when Dana White became the president – that the fighting league became popular. Boxing used to be the top combat sport, but these days, UFC reigns supreme, and Jon Jones' triumphant return to the octagon brought plenty of hype. There have been a plethora of great UFC fighters to come and go from every weight class. We have seen this organization grow from a wild experience into one of the most recognized sports leagues in the world.
This league has had some of the best fighters in the world, and it was difficult to narrow it down to the top 25. Here is a list of names that are more than deserving to be on the list but didn't quite make the cut: Cain Velasquez, Tito Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Wanderlei Silva, Urijah Faber, Quinton Jackson, Robbie Lalwer, Israel Adesanya, Mirko “Cro-Cop”, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Schevchenko, Don Frye, Alexander Volkanovski, and Vitor Belfort.
The next big fight is UFC 294, where the four co-main eventers are either on this list or well on their way to getting here in the near future. With that said, here are the top 25 greatest UFC fighters of all time.
25. BJ Penn
Career Record: 16-14-2
Weight Class: Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight
Awards: 2x Fight of the Night, 2x Submission of the Night, Knockout of the Night, Tapout of the Night, Hall of Fame
UFC Belts Achieved: Lightweight, Welterweight
UFC Title Defenses: 3
His record might not be there, but BJ Penn was a monster in his prime. He's highly regarded as one of the most dangerous submission artists in UFC history. Penn's late career regression makes his record look worse than it could have been.
24. Royce Gracie
Career Record: 15-2-3
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
Awards: 3x UFC Tournament winner, Most fights in a single night (4), UFC Viewers Choice Award, UFC Hall of Fame
UFC Belts Achieved: N/A
UFC Title Defenses: N/A
You can't have a top UFC fighter list and leave Royce Gracie out. He's essentially the father of the sport and fought before weight classes became mandatory. Gracie was known as a submission artist using his MMA Gi. He was the first-ever inductee for the Hall of Fame alongside Ken Shamrock. Gracie was truly the first great UFC fighter, and he won his first 11 UFC fights.
23. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Career Record: 34-10-1, 1 NC
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Awards: 2x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, UFC Hall of Fame
UFC Belts Achieved: Interim Heavyweight
UFC Title Defenses: 0
Antonio Nogueira helped put Brazil on the map in the world of MMA. He was a tremendous all-around fighter who could always find a way to win. Nogueira is a true legend of the sport.
22. Dominick Cruz
Career Record: 24-4-0
Weight Class: Bantamweight
Awards: 4x Fight of the Night, Performance of the Night, Most wins in UFC/WEC Bantamweight History (14)
UFC Belts Achieved: Bantamweight
UFC Title Defenses: 3
Famously known for his unorthodox approach, Dominick Cruz has been one of the best martial artists throughout his career. He transitioned smoothly from the WEC into the UFC during the merger and has been at the forefront of the sport for years.
21. Max Holloway
Career Record: 25-7-0
Weight Class: Featherweight
Awards: Knockout of the Night, 6x Fight of the Night, 4x Performance of the Night, Most wins in UFC Featherweight History (20)
UFC Belts Achieved: Featherweight
UFC Title Defenses: 3
Easily one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history. Max Holloway always puts on a spectacular performance. A true warrior, Holloway loves to stand and bang and put on a show each time he enters the octagon. Holloway is third all-time in fight time (7 hours, 26 minutes, and first in both significant strikes landed (3,197), and total strikes landed (3,441).
20. Junior dos Santos
Career Record: 21-9-0
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Awards: 3x Knockout of the Night, 3x Fight of the Night
UFC Belts Achieved: Heavyweight
UFC Title Defenses: 1
Junior dos Santos was, at one point, the best Heavyweight fighter in the world. His knockout power was one of a kind, and not many could stop him.
19. Frankie Edgar
Career Record: 23-11-1
Weight Class: Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight
Awards: 8x Fight of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, Knockout of the Night
UFC Belts Achieved: Lightweight
UFC Title Defenses: 3
Perhaps one of the best boxers in MMA history, Frankie Edgar often went into the octagon with a solid game plan. He should be considered as one of the best Lightweights of all time.
18. Henry Cejudo
Career Record: 16-3-0
Weight Class: Flyweight, Bantamweight
Awards: 4th All-Time Double-Champ, 3x Performance of the Night, Fight of the Night
UFC Belts Achieved: Flyweight, Bantamweight
UFC Title Defenses: 2
The fourth UFC star to earn the title “Champ-Champ.” Henry Cejudo finally won his first belt and then steamrolled for a second. He has to be considered a top 25 fighter, as he's on a shortlist of people to hold two belts simultaneously.
17. Michael Bisping
Career Record: 30-9-0
Weight Class: Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
Awards: The Ultimate Fighter 3 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner, 5x Fight of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, UFC Hall of Fame
UFC Belts Achieved: Middleweight
UFC Title Defenses: 1
One of the most prolific fighters in UFC history, Michael Bisping, put himself on the map after winning the Ultimate Fighter. From there, he was consistently at the top of the rankings and delivered exhilarating performances, including one of the biggest upsets ever when he beat Luke Rockhold on short notice.
16. Randy Couture
Career Record: 19-11-0
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards: UFC Tournament Winner, 2x Fight of the Night, UFC Viewer Choice Award, UFC Hall of Fame
Belts Achieved: 3x Heavyweight champ, 2x Light Heavyweight champ, Interim Light Heavyweight Champ
Title Defenses: 0
Randy Couture might be the most influential fighter in UFC history. He's known for his grind-it-out style against the cage and mauling people with dominant wrestling. Couture is a UFC legend.
15. Kamaru Usman
Career Record: 20-3-0
Weight Class: Welterweight
Awards: The Ultimate Fighter 21 Welterweight Tournament Winner, 4x Performance of the Night, Fight of the Night, Most consecutive wins in Welterweight history (15)
UFC Belts Achieved: Welterweight
UFC Title Defenses: 5
Kamaru Usman had five title defenses, and despite losing his last two matches, it doesn't seem like he's going to slow down anytime soon as he's chasing Georges St-Pierre for Welterweight greatness. Usman had the third-longest winning streak in UFC history, and a win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 would afford him another title shot, this time at middleweight.
14. Alistair Overeem
Career Record: 47-19-0, 1 NC
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards: Performance of the Night, Fight of the Night, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, DREAM Heavyweight Champion
Belts Achieved: 0
Title Defenses: 0
Alistair Overeem achieved legendary status before he even came into the UFC. He's considered to be one of the best fighters in MMA history, as he has fought in nearly every league imaginable.
13. Dan Henderson
Career Record: 32-15-0
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, & Heavyweight
Awards: UFC Middleweight Tournament Winner, 4x Fight of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, Knockout of the Night, 2007 MMA Fighter of the Year, 2011 Fight of the Year, UFC Hall of Fame, PRIDE Welterweight & Middleweight Champion, Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
Belts Achieved: 0
Title Defenses: 0
One of the most exciting knockout fighters in MMA, Dan Henderson, has proven to be a threat no matter where he fights. He dominated leagues outside of the UFC and then continued to be at the top of the rankings throughout his career.
12. Matt Hughes
Career Record: 45-9-0
Weight Class: Welterweight
Awards: 2x Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night, 2005 Submission of the Year, UFC Hall of Fame
Belts Achieved: 2x Welterweight
Title Defenses: 7 Total
Matt Hughes is perhaps the greatest pure wrestler of all time. His high motor kept his opponents on the defense most of the time, and he never quit until the bell was rung. Similar to Couture, Hughes played a huge factor in popularizing the UFC.
11. Chuck Liddell
Career Record: 21-8-0
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards: 2x Fight of the Night, 2x Knockout of the Night, UFC Hall of Fame
Belts Achieved: Light Heavyweight
Title Defenses: 4
In the early 2000s, Chuck Liddell put the UFC on the map with his ferocious knockouts while wearing his famous mohawk. Liddell could be credited as being almost everyone's first favorite fighter when they began watching MMA.
10. José Aldo
Career Record: 31-8-0
Weight Class: Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight
Awards: 4x Fight of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, WEC Featherweight Champ
Belts Achieved: 2x Featherweight
Title Defenses: 7 Total
Many view José Aldo as the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. He seemed unbeatable once he joined the UFC, and he had the fifth-longest title reign ever.
9. Conor McGregor
Career Record: 22-6-0
Weight Class: Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight
Awards: First UFC Double-Champ, 7x Performance of the Night, 2x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, Fastest Title Fight victory in UFC history (13 seconds), 2015 Fighter of the Year, 2021 Highest-Paid Athlete
Belts Achieved: Featherweight & Lightweight
Title Defenses: 0
Conor McGregor just understands entertainment. He used his mouth to gain attention, then used his fists to back it all up. McGregor is the first-ever “Champ-Champ” and ended up being the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2021, a feat nobody expected from a UFC fighter. The Notorious is currently recovering from a serious injury, but expect him to be back. While his grappling has lacked, McGregor has a case as the most talented striker in UFC history. He was creative and effective with both his hands and his legs.
8. Amanda Nunes
Career Record: 23-5-0
Weight Class: Women's Bantamweight, Women's Featherweight
Awards: Third UFC Double-Champ, First Fighter in UFC History to defend two belts simultaneously, Most wins in UFC title fights amongst women (10), 5x Performance of the Night
Belts Achieved: Women's Bantamweight (2x) & Featherweight
Title Defenses: 7 Total (5x Bantamweight, 2x Featherweight)
The third “Champ-Champ” in UFC history, Amanda Nunes absolutely demolished two weight classes simultaneously. Who knows how long her reign will continue as she plans to defend both belts for as long as possible.
7. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Career Record: 29-0
Weight Class: Lightweight, Welterweight
Awards: 3x Performance of the Night, 2020 UFC Honors Submission of the Year
Belts Achieved: Lightweight
Title Defenses: 3
Going 29-0, Khabib Nurmagomedov set the pace in every single fight he participated in. His wrestling is so strong it makes elite wrestlers look like novices. Khabib is arguably the greatest of all time.
6. Demetrious Johnson
Career Record: 31-4-1
Weight Class: Bantamweight, Flyweight
Awards: UFC Flyweight Championship Winner, 3x Fight of the Night, 4x Performance of the Night, Submission of the Night, Knockout of the Night, 2019 ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion
Belts Achieved: Flyweight
Title Defenses: 11
Demetrious Johnson silently defended the Flyweight title 11 consecutive times. That's tied for first all-time with Jon Jones. Johnson can be credited for putting the Flyweight division on the map, as it is now one of the most thrilling weight classes in the UFC.
5. Daniel Cormier
Career Record: 22-3-0, 1 NC
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards: Second UFC Double-Champ, 3x Performance of the Night, 2x Fight of the Night, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champ,
Belts Achieved: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Title Defenses: 4 Total
The second “Champ-Champ” in UFC history. Daniel Cormier is, without a doubt, a true legend of the sport. He's one of the best wrestlers in the world but also has the standup game to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.
4. Stipe Miocic
Career Record: 20-4-0
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Awards: 5x Performance of the Night, 3x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night
Belts Achieved: 2x Heavyweight
Title Defenses: 4 Total
Stipe Miocic is considered the best Heavyweight fighter of all time, and he's still in the UFC. This weight class bounces around more often than any other class, as Heavyweights have the knockout power to end the bout at any moment. Miocic has proven to be a top athlete throughout his MMA career. His UFC 295 bout against Jon Jones will be one of the biggest fights ever.
3. Georges St-Pierre
Career Record: 26-2-0
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight
Awards: 4x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, Submission of the Night, Performance of the Night, UFC Hall of Fame
Belts Achieved: 2x Welterweight, Middleweight
Title Defenses: 9 Total
Georges St-Pierre was known to stick to his game plan and dominate the fight. What was more impressive is St-Pierre would often play to his opponent's strengths and outclass them at their own game. He is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time.
2. Jon Jones
Career Record: 27-1-0, 1 NC
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards: 4x Fight of the Night, 2x Submission of the Night, Knockout of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, Youngest UFC Champion (23 Years Old), UFC Hall of Fame, Longest Light Heavyweight champion reign (1,501 days), Longest unbeaten streak in UFC history (19), Most wins in UFC title fights (15)
Belts Achieved: 2x Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Title Defenses: 11
After winning the Light Heavyweight title at just 23 years old, Jon Jones defended the belt 11 times. After beating everyone in the division, Jones moved up to Heavyweight and beat Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He has had his fair share of problems outside of the octagon, but as a fighter, it is hard to match anyone up to Jones. His athletic abilities, combined with his technical style. make him a horrifying opponent to face.
1. Anderson Silva
Career Record: 34-11-0, 1 NC
Weight Class: Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
Awards: 7x Knockout of the Night, 5x Fight of the Night, 2x Submission of the Night, Longest Title reign in UFC history (2,457 days),
Belts Achieved: Middleweight
Title Defenses: 10
Perhaps one of the most dominant title reigns in UFC history, Anderson Silva proved to be the best during his prime. Once he put his hands down and used movement as his main defense, every viewer knew what was coming next … a knockout.
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