The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has showcased some of the best mixed martial artists in the history of the sport. Since the promotion held its first event in 1993, many elite competitors have battled inside the famed Octagon. This article will examine and rank some of the top UFC fighters of all time based on their skills, achievements, impact, and legacy in MMA. The rankings are bound to be controversial, but provide a snapshot of those who have truly left their mark on the UFC and the sport as a whole.
Jon Jones
Widely considered one of the most talented fighters ever, Jon Jones holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC light heavyweight history at 2,028 days. He handed MMA legends like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson their first UFC defeats and holds impressive wins over Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustaffson, and Lyoto Machida. Despite some controversies outside the cage, Jones’ creative striking, dominant wrestling, and submission skills make him a force inside the Octagon. At just 33 years old, Jones still has time to further cement his legacy as one of the greatest ever.
In addition to his elite skillset, Jones’ creative and unpredictable style has made him nearly impossible to gameplan for. Utilizing spinning elbows, oblique kicks, and tricky takedowns, he keeps opponents guessing and off-balance. Jones has also shown mental toughness and the ability to adapt mid-fight, as displayed in his comeback against Alexander Gustafsson and slaying of the Goliath that was Daniel Cormier. While he still has more to achieve, Jones’ record and resume speak for themselves.
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva’s Matrix-like style and knockout power enthralled fans during his lengthy middleweight title run from 2006-2013. He holds the record for consecutive UFC wins at 16, including an astonishing 10 title defenses against elite challengers like Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen. His breathtaking knockouts of Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, and Chris Leben highlight his status as one of the most dangerous strikers to ever compete. Though he struggled late in his career, at his peak there was no one better than “The Spider.”
Silva combined elite Muay Thai skills with a rangy, elusive style that made him nearly impossible to hit cleanly. His knockout of Forrest Griffin, dodging punches in cartoonish fashion, encapsulates his defensive brilliance. Silva also showed mental toughness in overcoming adversity against fighters like Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson. While PED use and a broken leg late in his career tarnish his legacy slightly, his lengthy dominance of the middleweight division remains legendary.
Georges St-Pierre
With a professional record of 26-2, Georges St-Pierre is regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters the UFC has seen. He captured the welterweight title an impressive two times, defeating MMA greats like Matt Hughes, BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, and Carlos Condit along the way. St-Pierre brought an analytical approach to MMA, blending exceptional wrestling with technical boxing and underrated jiu-jitsu. His nine consecutive title defenses prove why he deserves to be ranked among the UFC’s elite.
In addition to his athletic gifts, St-Pierre set himself apart with his supreme fight IQ and gameplanning. He tailored clever strategies to specifically counter the strengths of each challenger he faced. St-Pierre also adjusted seamlessly between rounds, showcasing elite resilience. His dominance of fellow all-time greats Hughes and Penn demonstrates how he repeatedly raised his game to the highest levels. St-Pierre’s blend of raw skills and cerebral approach make him one of the most impressive champions ever.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov brought a dominant wrestling style that led him to an undefeated 29-0 MMA record. He achieved lightweight championship glory in 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta and defended the belt against fierce rivals Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Khabib’s raw strength, top control, and relentless pressure made him virtually unstoppable. His title run ended in 2020 when he retired as one of the most feared lightweights to ever compete.
In addition to his wrestling, Khabib possessed underrated striking skills with powerful ground and pound. He also showed phenomenal conditioning and willpower, bullying opponents without fade over 25 grueling minutes. Khabib’s career-ending submission of Justin Gaethje punctuated his excellence. While a short championship reign prevents him from being higher on the list, his undefeated record and sheer dominance make him an all-time great.
Royce Gracie
The UFC’s first-ever tournament winner, Royce Gracie pioneered MMA as we know it today. He proved the effectiveness of Brazilian jiu-jitsu by using it to shockingly submit boxers, karate experts, and wrestlers in the early days of no holds barred fighting. Weighing just 180 pounds, he defeated all comers at UFC 1, 2, and 4, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential fighters ever. His introduction of BJJ to mainstream martial arts forever changed the landscape of combat sports.
While undersized, Royce Gracie’s technical brilliance allowed him to triumph in MMA’s early days. His fight against Kimo Leopoldo showed his grit, recovering from exhaustion and gruesome leg kicks to force a submission. Gracie also displayed creativity, adopting the crucifix position to rain strikes on Dan Severn. Though the competition was limited in the 1990s, Gracie’s jiu-jitsu mastery made him the perfect pioneer for the sport.
Table: Athletes’ key achievements
| Fighter | Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| Jon Jones | Longest LHW title reign, creative striking, wrestling, submissions |
| Anderson Silva | Most consecutive wins, elite Muay Thai, Matrix defense |
| Georges St-Pierre | Well-rounded skills, high fight IQ, two-time champion |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | Undefeated record, dominant wrestling and ground game |
| Royce Gracie | Pioneered BJJ in early UFC, three tourney wins |
In essence, the fighters on this list represent some of the most dominant athletes to grace the UFC Octagon, having achieved greatness through their unique skills and accomplishments. While rankings are always controversial, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Royce Gracie have staked strong claims as the UFC’s best based on their long-term excellence. The promotion will likely showcase equally talented fighters over the coming decades, but these men have already cemented their legendary status and earned their positions among the top UFC competitors of all time.
