In this post we go through the best UFC fighters of all time. Like all our lists it’s subjective let us know if you think we missed someone or you feel someone needs removing. Let’s start with one we can all agree with.
Jon Jones
Jones is definitely on course to becoming one of the best UFC fighters of all time, he became the youngest champion in UFC history with his title victory over at age 23 and continues to dominate the sport. He made his professional debut in April 2008 and achieved an undefeated record of 6–0 over a period of three months, stopping all in his way.
Described as one of the most dynamic, innovative, and constantly evolving fighters in the history of MMA. He has never been stopped or pointed during his career, and his only professional loss was a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill.
Top achievements
- Youngest champion in UFC history
- Most title fight wins in UFC history
- Most title defenses in LHW UFC history
Controversy
- Eye pokes – “I realize that I do it. I realize the criticism that I got from it. It’s not on purpose”
- Hit-and-run – He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation
- Daniel Cormier altercation – Jones was fined $50,000 and was ordered to undergo 40 hours of community service
- Various failed drug tests – UFC 182, 200, 214 & 232
Frank Shamrock
The casual UFC fan may not know who Shamrock is/was but he deserves a place on the best UFC fighters of all time list. Frank debuted in the UFC in 1997 and made an immediate impact. His Octagon debut saw him submit Olympic gold medalist Kevin Jackson with an armbar in just 16 seconds to become the UFC’s first-ever Middleweight champion.
In his first title defense Shamrock slammed Igor Zinoviev onto his head, knocking him unconscious and ending his MMA career all in 22 seconds. One of Franks most impressive victories was against Tito Ortiz, a young, powerful fighter who had around a 30lbs weight advantage come fight time. For three solid rounds Ortiz beat the champion down but little did he know this was Frank’s own version of the legendary rope-a-dope tactic. By the fourth round, Ortiz was exhausted – Shamrock came alive and beat Ortiz down forcing him to submit to strikes with only ten seconds of the round remaining.
Top achievements
- Fastest UFC title fight victory by submission – 16 seconds
- First ever middleweight champion in the UFC
- Pound for pound number one in UFC 97-99
Views on marijuana
Shamrock is an advocate for the use of cannabis, which he says helped eliminate his reliance on pharmaceutical drugs
“I just found cannabis was a wonderful pain reliever. I used it for my entire sports career. All the world championship titles, everything that I achieved, I used cannabis on a daily basis.”
Frank Shamrock
Demetrious Johnson – Mighty Mouse
Mighty mouse to many is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Johnson had a harsh childhood; he was raised by his deaf mother and an abusive stepfather. Johnson has never met his biological father. Johnson’s martial arts background is in wrestling, which he uses effectively to control where the fight takes place and land numerous takedowns in a single match.
He is known for his quick striking and elusive movement, Johnson has also landed the most takedowns in UFC flyweight history and co-holds the record for the latest finish in UFC history with a submission win at 4:59 of the fifth round
“He doesn’t get hit. He’s a dazzling fighter. He puts on shows. [Johnson is] the best ever. He’s the best, physically, ever.”
UFC Commentator Joe Rogan
Top achievements
- Most consecutive wins in the UFC flyweight division -13
- Most UFC flyweight title fights – 13
- Tied for most successful title defenses in UFC history
- Most consecutive title defenses in UFC flyweight division – 11
Gaming
Johnson is an avid gamer and streams his gaming via Twitch with username mightygaming where he has over 175,000 followers.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
The only undefeated fighter on this list he managed to achieve an incredible 29-0 record throughout his MMA career. None of his wins are controversial and many believe he’s never even lost a round in the sport. His wrestling ability is key to his dominance in the sport, he is relentless and adds insult to injury by frequently talking to his opponents whilst ‘mauling’ them.
Khabib vs. Mcgregor
In the pre fight press conference McGregor won the battle of words. For over an hour Conor insulted Khabib with very little retaliation.
“Why don’t you drink? Why don’t you drink? I’d say you’re some buzz at parties, ya mad backwards c*nt.” “I am going to truly, truly love putting a bad beating on this little glass jaw rat.”
Mcgregor pre fight conference
Whilst Khabib didn’t say much during the conference in the way of insults he saved it for in the cage
Talk! Talk! Let’s talk now!
Nurmagomedov – Mid fight as he was pummeling Mcgregor
Below is some of Khabib’s in fight talking
Retirement
Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts after stopping Justin Gaethje with a triangle choke
“This is my last fight, There’s no way I’m going to be back without my father. I spoke to my mother. She don’t know how I fight without father, but I promised it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow it.”
Khabib – UFC 254
Khabib’s dominance may have been limited, but one must respect his decision and the promise he made; he will still go down as one of the best to do it.
Anderson Silva
When anyone ever talks about who the best UFC fighters of all time are Anderson always comes up and rightly so. Silva joined the UFC in 2006 where he went unbeaten for 16 fights making 10 title defenses along the way. Silva is considered by many to be one of the best strikers in the history of MMA.
Anderson was awkward for fighters and switched between southpaw and orthodox at ease. In his heyday he was one of the most elusive fighters to ever step foot in the octagon. As he got older his reflexes were not the same as they used to be and as a result lost five of his last six fights. Silva’s legacy is diminished slightly partly to do with this and the two positive drug tests he had.
The leg break (not for the faint hearted)
Top achievements
- Biggest win streak in UFC history – 16
- Longest title reign in UFC history
- Most title fight finishes (KO/submission) – 9
The Silva Arches
Like many fighters the rags to riches story is true for Anderson. Born in Sao Paulo he lived with his aunt and uncle and grew up in poverty. Whilst honing his craft in MMA Silva was flipping burgers for some time at his local McDonalds. From employee to rival as his career devolved and it became his full time profession Anderson would eventually be sponsored by no other than Burger King!
Georges St Pierre
St-Pierre is a three-time UFC Welterweight Champion and is considered by many to be the most accomplished fighter in MMA history. He only lost twice in his career, Hughes and Serra, and made clear statements and avenged both losses. He defended his title nine times, only fighting the very best that the Welterweight division had to offer. St. Pierre dominated fighters that most couldn’t even beat. He started his martial arts career early even achieving 2nd Dan Kyokushin karate black belt by the age of 12. Georges was a smart fighter and won most of his fights by decision. He currently holds the record for most takedowns in UFC history at a massive 90.
Mental health
Like many people St-Pierre has had his own mental health struggles, In 2014 he came forward to tell his fans the reason he retired suddenly was due to his struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
He produced a documentary about his life and his struggles, Takedown: the DNA of GSP, about his struggles as a martial artist, and in an interview he explained, “As a fighter, it’s a good thing to have because it makes you better, you completely obsess about being better.”
This contributed to his decision of retiring referring to it as a necessary break from the pressure of the sport and his critics.
TV + Film
St-Pierre has been involved in several high-profile projects since retiring from the UFC, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014 and Kickboxer: Vengeance in 2016. He has also worked behind the camera as a producer on documentaries as well as feature films.
He stated it was a honor working along side Van-Damme he said “I was a big fan of Jean-Claude Van-Damme growing up, and I always wanted to be a martial artist ’cause of him”
Charity
“Being bullied when I was a little kid played a huge role in who I am today. It made me. The goal of my foundation is very simple: Help youth, stop bullying and promote physical activity in schools”
St-Pierre on his charity – The GSP Foundation
Throughout lockdown from the Covid 19 pandemic a lot of celebrities took to Cameo to recover earnings but GSP joined solely to provide more for his charity, you can view his page here