Top 10 Best UFC Fighters of All Time

The UFC has seen some of the most skilled and dominant fighters in combat sports history. From lightning-fast strikers to unstoppable grapplers, the Octagon has been home to legends who have shaped the sport with their incredible performances. Some fighters have gone on historic winning streaks, defending their titles against all challengers. Others have made a lasting impact with their unforgettable fights and larger-than-life personalities.

But who stands out as the greatest of all time? That's where you come in. This list is built on the opinions of fans who have voted for their picks, and now it's your turn to weigh in. Do you value championship reigns and title defenses above all else? Or do you put more stock in raw talent, exciting fights, and overall influence on the sport? No matter what criteria you use, your vote helps shape the rankings.

1. Anderson Silva

   

   Anderson Silva was a longtime UFC Middleweight Champion known for his striking and elusive movement. He holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days.

   I think this is too obvious. Anderson Silva is the G.O.A.T. He is the most dominant champion of all time, making his opponents look like amateurs. His timing and precision are second to none. Plus, he has the best highlight reel ever, and it's not even close.

   Anderson Silva equals UFC. He is the perfect fighter: an athlete well-rounded in all aspects of fighting and willing to prove so at any given moment, refusing to accept anything but success.

2. Georges St-Pierre

   

   Georges St-Pierre is a former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight Champion with a strong wrestling and striking skillset. He retired with one of the most dominant records in the sport's history.

   Came back after a four-year hiatus to choke out Bisping and become a two-division champion. He convincingly avenged his only two losses, completely dominating both Serra and Hughes (twice) in the rematches. He is the only clean fighter in the GOAT conversation (alongside Fedor). He dominated a division stacked with talent.

   Don't forget that most adult males would fall in the welterweight division, which means that fighters who make it to the UFC overcome a higher level of competition. He is the only fighter who has won 30+ consecutive rounds and survived a juiced-up Hendricks.

   People might criticize him for the number of fights he won by decision, but don't forget that this sport is not about who does more physical damage. It's about who displays more dominance in terms of skill and endurance.

3. Chuck Liddell

   

   Chuck Liddell was a UFC Light Heavyweight Champion known for his striking ability and knockout power. He was one of the biggest stars during the sport's rise in popularity in the early 2000s.

   Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva are the only two who seem interesting to watch. Chuck is a much stronger hitter than anyone else in the UFC and has some good kicks too. He can dominate in the octagon and knock somebody out cold.

   He had a cool nickname as the Iceman. The only name that's as cool as that is Silva's, the Spider. In my opinion, Chuck is at least number 2, if not number 1. He's a great fighter with a lot of power. He gets my vote.

   Chuck Liddell is fast, agile, and has all the knowledge of his upcoming opponents. He can throw a hard punch, and if you get caught, you are in trouble. He has his good moments and some bad ones. He can fight on the ground and standing up.

   He plays mind games and gets into your head. If he loses, he honors the winner and is a good sportsman. Vote: Chuck Liddell.

4. Jon Jones

   

   Jon Jones is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with multiple title reigns and a record for most title defenses in the division. He later moved to the heavyweight division and won the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

   To be honest, he should be No. 1. The reason why I put him over GSP is that he is basically undefeated, and he dominated and owned a top 3 fighter of all time, DC, twice. No one else can say that they have done something like that.

   He's also beaten his next biggest rival, Gus, twice. He's beaten six Hall of Famers. If everyone of all time was in the same weight class as Jones in their prime, Jones would be able to beat all of them.

   My top ten:

   1. Jon Jones

   2. GSP

   3. DC

   4. Henry Cejudo

   5. Khabib Nurmagomedov

   6. Demetrius Johnson

   7. Anderson Silva

   8. Conor McGregor

   9. Randy Couture

   10. BJ Penn

   Jon Jones will always be the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the UFC, at least according to me. Nobody's perfect. Everyone has flaws.

   It makes me sick to my stomach whenever I'm reminded that Cormier is champ because, realistically, he's not. He never had an answer for Jones. Nobody did.

5. Conor McGregor

   

   Conor McGregor is a former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion known for his knockout power and promotional impact. He was the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously.

   Conor McGregor inspires many people around the world with his hard work ethic and determination. He has worked very hard to get to where he is today. When that left hand hits, people go to sleep. That is the reason no one in the UFC can hang with him. He is the greatest fighter of all time.

   Very athletic and exciting fighter to watch. He is also very talented, but he is too overconfident and arrogant.

   Only person in history to win titles in two different weight classes at the same time! Of course, he's the best!

6. BJ Penn

   

   BJ Penn is a former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. He was one of the first fighters to win championships in two different weight classes.

   The BJ Penn that beat Joe Stevenson and Diego Sanchez is without a doubt the best lightweight ever. He did overstay his welcome, but that does not take away from the greatness that is The Prodigy.

   Won a round against Lyoto, beat 2 Gracies, beat Matt Hughes when everyone thought he was unstoppable, put an ass-whooping on GSP in the first fight. He also put an ass-whooping on Din Thomas, Kenny Florian, Carl Uno, Diego Sanchez, Jens Pulver, Takanori Gomi, and Joe Daddy Stevenson.

7. Randy Couture

   

   Randy Couture was a UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion who won titles in both divisions multiple times. He was one of the oldest champions in UFC history, winning his last title at age 45.

   Bro, he won titles in two weight classes and held the heavyweight title until he was almost 50. Easily top 5 of all time.

8. Brock Lesnar

   

   Brock Lesnar is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion who transitioned from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts. He won the title in his fourth UFC fight and was one of the promotion's top pay-per-view draws.

   The beast incarnate, Brock Lesnar, is the best in his class because he went through a bad time but still woke up and delivered big time! We are very fortunate to have him in our era!

   Savage. Enough said. I ask you, of all the fighters on this list, which one would you be terrified to stand in a ring with? Brock Lesnar.

   Lesnar was never knocked down by anyone when he was in perfect condition. Brock is the best in the world.

9. Amanda Nunes

   

   Amanda Nunes is a former UFC Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion known for her striking and well-rounded skillset. She was the first woman to hold UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously.

   She's the women's GOAT. That won't change anytime soon.

10. Royce Gracie

    

    Royce Gracie won three of the first four UFC tournaments using Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His success helped popularize grappling in mixed martial arts.

    No pound-for-pound ranking discussion. Royce would fight any guy, no matter how much bigger, heavier, and stronger he was. If he were contemporary to Fedor, I bet he would challenge him without a doubt.

    Gracie fought and beat bigger fighters than him. He could submit anyone. He is a human anaconda.

    There was nothing he couldn't do grappling-wise!

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Carla Esparza

    
12. ?

    Kamaru Usman

    

    Kamaru Usman was a dominant UFC Welterweight Champion with a strong wrestling background. He defended his title multiple times and developed knockout power later in his career.

The Contenders

13. Daniel Cormier

    

    Daniel Cormier was a UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion who won titles in both divisions. He had a background in Olympic wrestling and became a successful commentator after retirement.

    Currently champion of light heavyweight and heavyweight! Best with only one loss.

    He beat everyone that ever stepped in the octagon with him, except for Jon "The Juicer" Jones.

14. Khabib Nurmagomedov

    

    Khabib Nurmagomedov is a former UFC Lightweight Champion who retired undefeated with a 29-0 record. He was known for his dominant wrestling and grappling style.

    Nurmagomedov not being in the Top 5 is just disgraceful to his legacy. His finishing moves were devastating to his opponents. With incredible speed mixed with hard and fast combos, he dominated literally everyone he fought.

    It's a joke that people like Brock Lesnar are placed in the Top 10. Lesnar doesn't even fight in the UFC anymore! The McGregor fanboys and fangirls come up with endless excuses for why he lost to Khabib, which proves McGregor has skill, but his arrogance keeps him from being Number 1 on this list.

    Nurmagomedov will always be the greatest UFC fighter of all time. He was the Muhammad Ali of UFC fighting, super competitive, and fought every match as if it were his last day on Earth.

    The people he fought gained more attention just for fighting him. He had unbeatable skills, would beat McGregor again if he had to, had the fastest hands ever, and was always smarter than his opponents. The type of guy to knock you out before you even entered the ring. That's how powerful he is.

15. Demetrious Johnson

    

    Demetrious Johnson was the inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion and held the title for nearly six years. He set the record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC history with 11.

    Should be higher. Just because he's small doesn't mean he can't fight. In my opinion, he should be in the top 10 greatest fighters of all time.

    Finally, the all-time best. Just like it's supposed to be, the only fighter who is amazing in everything.

    Number 1 pound for pound. Why is he lower than McGregor?

16. Matt Hughes

    

    Matt Hughes was a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion with dominant wrestling and ground control. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his achievements in the sport.

    Matt Hughes is pound for pound the strongest UFC fighter ever. He literally manhandled his competitors. UFC puts him at number 4, and I think that's a good spot for him.

    Former GOAT, probably underrated in hindsight, since his true peers caught up with him post-prime. You'd need a sports channel biopic to adequately cover his win column.

    How Hughes isn't in the top 5 at least is absolutely bizarre! He's amazing and one of the longest-reigning champions! How is Lesnar 6? He is not good at all! But that's my opinion.

17. Dan Henderson

    

    Dan Henderson was a two-division champion in Pride Fighting Championships and later fought for UFC titles. He was known for his wrestling background and powerful right hand, often referred to as the "H-Bomb."

    Hendo should be higher. He has one-punch knockout power and is always willing to fight anyone and mix it up, even when mixing it up means he or his opponent is going to go to sleep!

    I respect his heart. It is what makes me love UFC. Nobody wants to see some guy run and play defense. Take notes, Floyd Mayweather. Fortunately, we will never have to watch that one-dimensional game in the UFC because he would never make it there anyway!

18. Ken Shamrock

    

    Ken Shamrock was a pioneer of early MMA and competed in both the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships. He was known for his submission skills and was one of the first UFC Superfight Champions.

    Dude, the world's most dangerous man. He was at the first UFC event.

19. Forrest Griffin

    

    Forrest Griffin won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and later became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. His fight against Stephan Bonnar in the show's finale is considered one of the most important in UFC history.

    Forrest Griffin! Amazing man, amazing fighter, amazing heart! Still to this day, he had the best fight ever with Stephan Bonnar. Who could forget that?

20. Lyoto Machida

    

    Lyoto Machida was a UFC Light Heavyweight Champion known for his karate-based striking and elusive movement. His unorthodox style made him one of the most difficult fighters to hit during his prime.

21. Quinton Rampage Jackson

    

    Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and known for his knockout power. He gained popularity for his aggressive fighting style and persona inside and outside the cage.

    Yo, I don't even watch MMA at all, but I know for sure Rampage Jackson is a BEAST.

22. Nick Diaz

    

    Nick Diaz was a Strikeforce Welterweight Champion and fought in multiple UFC title fights. He was known for his aggressive boxing, high-volume striking, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

    He grew up in Stockton, California. You gotta be tough to live there.

23. Cain Velasquez

    

    Cain Velasquez is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion known for his high-paced fighting style and wrestling ability. He won the title twice and was considered one of the best heavyweights of his era.

    One of the strongest hitters in UFC and MMA history.

    I've got a nickname for him: The Mexican Nightmare.

    Come on, let's get him to #1. He is the best, and there is no denying that!

    Velasquez should be number 1. He would destroy Anderson, Pierre, Jones.

24. Jose Aldo

    

    Jose Aldo was the first UFC Featherweight Champion after transitioning from the WEC and defended the title multiple times. He was known for his striking, particularly his leg kicks, and is considered one of the greatest featherweights of all time.

25. Dominick Cruz

    

    Dominick Cruz was a multiple-time UFC Bantamweight Champion and known for his unique footwork and movement. He overcame several injuries throughout his career and became a respected analyst for the sport.

26. Wanderlei Silva

    

    Wanderlei Silva was a dominant champion in Pride Fighting Championships before competing in the UFC. He was known for his aggressive striking style and knockout power.

    Greatest two-dimensional fighter of all time. Even though he hasn't had so many victories in the UFC, he is a warrior.

27. Nate Diaz

    

    Nate Diaz won The Ultimate Fighter season 5 and became a fan favorite for his durability and boxing skills. He gained widespread recognition for his rivalry with Conor McGregor.

    Should be higher than McGregor. He beat him once and should have beat McGregor again.