Top 10 Greatest MMA Light Heavyweight Fighters of All Time
Honoring Mixed Martial Arts' finest light heavyweight fighters.
Jonathan Dwight "Jon" Jones, born July 19, 1987, is an American mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC champion in both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions. In June 2025, Jones announced his retirement, and interim champion Tom Aspinall was promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion. By far the best pound-for-pound fighter because he has destroyed his competition, all of whom are legends and greats of the sport, and he hasn't even looked like he's reached his full potential yet.
He's the greatest for a reason. He's definitely getting his belt back, and he's definitely going to be in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Jones is #1. Silva is a middleweight, and even though he has fought light heavyweights, he hasn't fought the best of them.
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell (born December 17, 1969) is an American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He has a striking background in Kempo, Karate, and Kickboxing, along with grappling experience from collegiate wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu... read more Chuck is a legend and still one of the greatest fighters to ever enter the cage. He was the knockout king. I think it's funny how Jon Jones and other fighters still talk about him to this day, which should let you know he's still one badass dude in the ring. Half of his haters couldn't hold a candle to him in his prime. They know it, and it's just funny to me.
Like I always say, respect your elders, kids. But this is just my opinion - we all have one.
Even though Chuck lost to Rampage, I think he still belongs ahead of him, knowing a lot more people were impressed with his knockouts.
Rampage was the epitome of violence during his prime - fast, powerful, brutal slams, knockout power in both hands, and a concrete chin. He was one of the most exciting fighters to ever step in the ring.
An often forgotten fact: Quinton Jackson was the first Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the UFC/Pride FC.
He destroyed Chuck Liddell twice in his prime and defeated Dan Henderson (who, at the time, held two Pride titles simultaneously).
Undeniably one of the greatest light heavyweight fighters of all time - Rampage!
Daniel Ryan Cormier is an American former Olympic freestyle wrestler and mixed martial artist. He represented the United States in wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in his weight class. Cormier later became a two-division champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was inducted... read more Cormier is the greatest light heavyweight and heavyweight fighter in the world, and he has the belts to prove it.
Daniel is the greatest. He would beat every guy on this list!
Only ever beaten by a cheat. He is my number 1.
The most elusive and puzzling fighter of all time.
One of MMA's most popular fighters, and he has won often when he was mostly doubted.
Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz (born January 23, 1975) is a retired American mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and professional boxer. He gained fame in the UFC, where he was the Light Heavyweight Champion from April 14, 2000, to September 26, 2003. Ortiz was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame... read more
Anderson da Silva (born April 14, 1975) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Middleweight Champion who held the longest title reign in UFC history, lasting 2,457 days. This reign began in 2006 and ended in 2013, including a record-setting 16 consecutive UFC victories... read more Undefeated in the UFC, Silva defeated Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, James Irvin, and Forrest Griffin like it was a walk in the park.
Do your research - Silva is the world pound-for-pound number one.
I love Anderson Silva. He and GSP are my favorite MMA fighters. It's almost sad that Anderson Silva is at the top of this list when this isn't even really his primary (best) weight class.
He's just that good.
Randall "Randy" Duane Couture (born June 22, 1963) is an American actor and retired mixed martial artist. He was a six-time UFC champion, winning the Heavyweight Championship three times and the Light Heavyweight Championship twice, along with an Interim Light Heavyweight title. Couture was inducted... read more Randy is a top 5 all-time great light heavyweight MMA fighter. I don't know who made this list, but they need to do some research.
Put Jones or Silva against Couture in his prime. Chances are, it's a split decision. They absolutely do not run over him.
Couture, Hall of Famer, is top 3 without a doubt.
To me, it's hands down either Hendo or Silva. Silva has a great win streak, but Dan has been great for so long and might still have the hardest punch in the UFC, even in his 40s. The fact that he'll fight anybody, even a heavyweight, speaks volumes about him and why he's in the industry.
The money will come and go, but his legacy will be around for decades.
He was the champion of PRIDE in multiple divisions and a tournament winner. Also a legend in the UFC.
The Newcomers
Maurício Milani "Shogun" Rua is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and also won the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix. Rua announced his retirement... read more PRIDE Grand Prix champion and completely dominated Chuck Liddell.
He may not be as famous as The Iceman, but he should be ranked higher.
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian-American former professional mixed martial artist and boxer. He was the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. In June 2025, Belfort was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the Pioneer Wing. Former UFC light heavyweight champion and UFC tournament winner.
He holds a record of 31-7 at light heavyweight, fought as a heavyweight with mixed results, and eventually moved down to middleweight, where he established a decent record. Losses to Mark Hunt, Mirko, Rich (twice), and Leben do not count toward his light heavyweight resume.
Greatest Light Heavyweight fighter ever.
For six years, he was the undefeated PRIDE Middleweight Champion and the winner of the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament.
Wanderlei Silva at 11? It's quite obvious you people never watched PRIDE and know nothing about MMA.
Heart of a warrior! He fought in some of the best UFC fights of all time!
Rashad Anton Evans is a retired American mixed martial artist from Niagara Falls, New York. He won Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005 as a heavyweight and later became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2008. Evans was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019 and currently works as a UFC... read more Only one loss, Ultimate Fighter season 2 winner, and former UFC light heavyweight champion.
One of the best to do it at this weight.
Anthony Kewoa Johnson (born March 6, 1984. Died November 13, 2022) was an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was widely recognized for his exceptional knockout power and his strong presence inside the octagon... read more An absolute monster. The only reason he lost to Jon Jones was due to a decision. The entire fight, Jones crawled on the ground to avoid Johnson's NFL legs cracking his jaw. Both Jones and Cormier struggled with Gustafsson, and Johnson knocked him cold out.
End of conversation. Anthony Johnson is a true GOAT.
Both Jones and Cormier struggled to beat Gustafsson and had to do it by judges' decision. Anthony Johnson knocked Gustafsson out with no problem.
He will eventually fight Jones and give him problems.
Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Shamrock is an American mixed martial artist, Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer, and professional wrestler. He was one of the first superstars to bridge the gap between MMA and professional wrestling. Shamrock held titles in the UFC and competed in WWE during the Attitude... read more
Glover Lucas Teixeira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and a former member of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team. He competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and won the UFC Light Heavyweight title in 2021... read more How long does Glover have to be in the top five before he's recognized for his abilities?
He's definitely worth the high ranking.
Ryan DuWayne Bader is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes under Bellator MMA in the heavyweight division and is the promotion's reigning heavyweight champion. Bader previously held the light heavyweight title in Bellator and fought in the UFC light heavyweight division... read more