Looking for the Best Ever UFC FIghter?
The octagon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been the site of innumerable fights, each of which has left its mark on the annals of mixed martial arts history. On the other hand, who is the master? This blog takes a deep dive into the world of UFC legends, analyzing their domination, fighting styles, and their impact on the sport throughout their careers.
We are going to find the champion that stands out from the rest, the fighter who is truly deserving of the title of the Best Ever.
Anderson Silva
Career Record: 34-11-0, one NC.
Weight classes: Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Awards: 7 Knockout of the Night, 5 Fight of the Night, 2 Submission of the Night. The longest title reign in UFC history (2,457 days)
Belts Achieved Middleweight
Title Defenses: ten.
Anderson Silva, who held one of the most dominant title reigns in UFC history, was the best in his prime. He is widely regarded as the best UFC fighter of all time, evidenced by his use of mobility as a primary defense and succeeding knockout.
Jon Jones
Career record: 27-1-0, one NC.
Weight classes: Light Heavyweight and 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 UFC Title Wins (15)
Belts attained: 2x Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight Titles defended: 11
Jon Jones won the Light Heavyweight championship at the age of 23 and defended it 11 times. After defeating everyone in the division, Jones advanced to Heavyweight and defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
He has had his share of difficulties outside of the octagon, but Jones is difficult to match as a fighter. His physical abilities, along with his technical technique, make him an intimidating opponent.
Georges St-Pierre
Career record: 26–2-0.
Weight Classes: Welterweight and Middleweight
Awards: 4 times Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, Submission of the Night, Performance of the Night. UFC Hall of Fame
Belts Achieved: 2 times Welterweight, Middleweight.
Title defenses: 9 in total.
Georges St-Pierre was recognized for sticking to his game plan and dominating the bout. What was more impressive was that St-Pierre would frequently play to his opponent’s strengths while outclassing them at their own game.
Stipe Miocic
Career record: 20–4-0.
Weight class: Heavyweight
Awards include 5x Performance of the Night, 3x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and 2x Heavyweight Belt.
Title Defenses: 4
Stipe Miocic is regarded as one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time, and he continues to compete in the UFC. Heavyweights have the knockout potential to stop a fight at any time, so this weight class moves around the most. Miocic has consistently proven to be a top athlete in his MMA career.
Daniel Cormier
Career Record: 22-3-0, one NC.
Weight classes: Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Awards include the second UFC Double-Champ, 3x Performance of the Night, 2x Fight of the Night, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, and Belts. Achieved: Lightweight, Heavyweight
Title Defenses: 4
This is the second “Champ-Champ” in UFC history. Daniel Cormier is certain to be a sporting legend. He is one of the best wrestlers in the world, but he also has the standup skills to compete with the best.
Demetrious Johnson
Career Record: 27-3-1.
Weight classes include bantamweight and flyweight. Awards include the UFC Flyweight Championship. Awards include 3 Fight of the Night, 4 Performance of the Night, Submission of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and 2019 ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion.
Demetrious Johnson secretly defended the Flyweight title 11 times in a row. That is tied for first all-time with Jon Jones. Johnson is credited for putting the Flyweight division on the map, and it is now one of the most exciting weight classes in the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Career record: 29–0.
Awards include 3x Performance of the Night and 2020 UFC Honors Submission of the Year in the lightweight and welterweight weight classes.
Belts achieved: lightweight.
Title defenses: 3
Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is 29-0, set the pace in every battle he has competed in. His wrestling is so strong that elite wrestlers appear like beginners. Khabib is undoubtedly the best of all time. He is also among the list of 5 best fighters in the UFC history.
Conor McGregor
Career record: 22–6-0.
Weight classes: Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight. Awards: First UFC Double-Champ. 7 times Performance of the Night, 2x Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, Fastest title fight to victory in UFC history (13 seconds); 2015 Fighter of the Year, 2021 Highest-paid athlete with belts in the featherweight and lightweight divisions with no title defenses.
Conor McGregor simply understands entertainment. He used his mouth to garner attention, followed by his fists to back it up. In 2021, McGregor became the first “Champ-Champ” and the highest-paid athlete in the world, an achievement no one expected from a UFC fighter. He is a box office draw, and four of his top fights are listed in the top five UFC PPV buys of all time.
The Notorious is now healing from a terrible injury, but we expect him to return, this time in the new 165-pound weight class. While his grappling has been lacking, McGregor is arguably the most talented striker in UFC history. He was inventive and effective with both his hands and legs.
José Aldo
Career Record: 31-8-0.
Weight classes: bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight.
Awards: 4x Fight of the Night, 2x Performance of the Night, WEC Featherweight Achieved two featherweight championship belts.
Title defenses: 7 in total.
José Aldo was regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time during his active days in the Octagon. He appeared invincible after joining the UFC and held the fifth-longest title reign in history.
Conclusion: Best Ever UFC Fighter
The discussion on who is the best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship continues! There is no simple solution, despite champions such as new fighters can always take the place of the past heroes. Certainly, these fighters are legendary figures who serve as a source of motivation for all of us. Do not forget to share your thoughts in the comment box.
FAQs: Best Ever UFC Fighter
Who is considered the best UFC fighter of all time?
Fans and experts debate the title of the best UFC fighter of all time. Some of the most commonly mentioned names include Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Georges St-Pierre.
What criteria are used to determine the greatest MMA fighter?
When assessing the greatest MMA fighter, factors such as performance in the octagon, number of title defenses, impact on the sport, and overall skill level are considered. Fighters like Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov are often praised for their dominance in their respective weight classes.
How many title fights has Anderson Silva been in?
Anderson Silva, a legendary UFC middleweight fighter, has been in numerous title fights throughout his career. Silva held the middleweight title for a record-setting reign and successfully defended it against top contenders.
What makes Jon Jones one of the best fighters in UFC history?
Jon Jones is often regarded as one of the best fighters in UFC history due to his exceptional fighting skills, versatility in the octagon, and consistent defeat of top contenders in the light heavyweight division.
Who are some of the UFC champions known for their title reigns?
Fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Jon Jones are renowned for their impressive title reigns in the UFC. They dominated their respective weight classes for an extended period, solidifying their legacies as all-time greats.
