The Top 10 MMA Fighters of All Time

Ranking the "Top" MMA fighters of all time is a super sensitive subject for some people. I honestly don't think I've ever seen two people fully agree on it, and in my opinion that's 100% reasonable. Most people don't realize how much goes into ranking athletes, especially in combat sports.  

👉 I'm not placing them in any particular order.

👉Determining the "best" is subjective, this is just my opinion.

Factors in Ranking:

👉Dominance: How consistently a fighter won.

👉Longevity: How long a fighter remained at the top.

👉Skill Set: The diversity and effectiveness of a fighter's techniques.

👉Competition: The level of opponents a fighter faced.

👉Impact: A fighter's influence on the sport.

 👉Demetrious Johnson (2007-Present): Mighty Mouse - The Technical Master

• Career: Johnson's technical mastery and speed made him a dominant force in the flyweight division.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Joseph Benavidez (twice), Henry Cejudo, and Tim Elliott showcased his exceptional skill set. His fights were known for his fluid transitions and technical brilliance.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Flyweight Champion (longest consecutive title defenses in UFC history at the time), ONE Flyweight World Champion.
• Details: Johnson's speed, agility, and technical skill were unparalleled. His ability to seamlessly transition between striking and grappling made him a difficult opponent to solve.

 

👉Georges St-Pierre (2002-2017, 2019): GSP - The Rematch Champion 

• Career: St-Pierre's meticulous approach to training and his well-rounded skill set made him a dominant force in the welterweight division.
• Notable Fights: Rematches with Matt Hughes and Johny Hendricks, as well as wins over Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, and Michael Bisping (for the middleweight title), are highlights of his career. He became known for his strategic approach to fighting.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Welterweight Champion (multiple times), UFC Middleweight Champion, widely regarded as the greatest welterweight of all time.
• Details: GSP's dedication to improving every aspect of his game was evident in his performances. He was known for his exceptional wrestling, striking, and fight IQ. His ability to adapt to different opponents made him a truly complete fighter.

👉Anderson Silva (1997-2020): The Spider

• Career: Silva's striking prowess and unorthodox style captivated audiences. His long reign as UFC middleweight champion was filled with highlight-reel finishes.
• Notable Fights: Victories over Rich Franklin (twice), Forrest Griffin, and Chael Sonnen (twice) are among his most memorable. His fights were known for his unpredictable and flamboyant style.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Middleweight Champion (longest title reign in UFC history at the time), numerous performance bonuses.
• Details: Silva's striking was a work of art. His ability to evade strikes and deliver devastating counterattacks made him a nightmare for opponents. His charisma and showmanship added to his legendary status.

👉Amanda Nunes (2008-2023): The Lioness - Double Champion Dominance

• Career: Nunes's knockout power and well-rounded skill set made her the most dominant female fighter in MMA history.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko (twice) are among her most impressive. Her fights were known for her explosive power and technical prowess.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, UFC Women's Featherweight Champion, widely regarded as the greatest female MMA fighter of all time.
• Details: Nunes's ability to finish fights with strikes or submissions made her a truly dangerous opponent. Her dominance in two weight classes cemented her legacy as a pioneer of women's MMA.

👉Jon Jones (2008-Present): Bones - The G.O.A.T

• Career: Jones's exceptional talent and versatility have made him a dominant force in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
• Notable Fights: Victories over Daniel Cormier (twice), Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira are testaments to his skill. His fights are known for his creative and often unorthodox techniques.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (multiple times), UFC Heavyweight Champion, considered by many to be the most talented MMA fighter ever.
• Details: Jones's reach, athleticism, and fight IQ are unparalleled. His ability to seamlessly transition between striking and grappling makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone. His personal life has been controversial, but his in-cage talent is undeniable.

👉Khabib Nurmagomedov (2008-2020): The Eagle - Undefeated Dominance

• Career: Khabib's grappling dominance and relentless pressure made him an unstoppable force in the lightweight division.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje showcased his grappling superiority. His fights were known for his overwhelming wrestling and ground-and-pound.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Lightweight Champion, undefeated record (29-0).
• Details: Khabib's wrestling and grappling were on another level. His ability to control opponents on the ground and deliver relentless ground-and-pound made him a nightmare for strikers. His retirement at the peak of his career added to his mystique.

👉Daniel Cormier (2009-2020): DC

• Career: Cormier's wrestling pedigree and well-rounded skill set made him a dominant force in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Anthony Johnson (twice), Stipe Miocic (once), and Alexander Gustafsson showcased his versatility. His fights were known for his grit and determination.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, UFC Heavyweight Champion.
• Details: Cormier's wrestling background gave him a strong foundation, but his striking and grappling were also highly effective. His ability to compete at a high level in two weight classes solidified his legacy.

👉Jose Aldo (2004-Present): The King of Rio

• Career: Aldo's explosive striking and defensive prowess made him a dominant force in the featherweight division for many years.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes (twice), and Frankie Edgar (twice) are highlights of his career. His fights were known for his devastating leg kicks and fast hands.
• Awards/Achievements: WEC Featherweight Champion, UFC Featherweight Champion.
• Details: Aldo's leg kicks were a signature weapon. His ability to defend takedowns and deliver devastating strikes made him a formidable opponent. His longevity in the sport is a testament to his skill and dedication.

👉Fedor Emelianenko (1997-2023): The Last Emperor

• Career: Fedor's reign atop the heavyweight division during the Pride FC era is unmatched. His stoic demeanor and devastating striking and grappling made him a force of nature.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Mirko Cro Cop, and Andrei Arlovski cemented his legendary status. His battles were known for his aggression and ability to overcome adversity.
• Awards/Achievements: Pride Heavyweight Champion, Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion, widely considered the greatest heavyweight of all time.
• Details: Fedor's aura of invincibility during his Pride years was unparalleled. His blend of sambo, judo, and brutal striking made him a complete fighter. Although his later career saw some losses, his prime remains a testament to his dominance.

👉Stipe Miocic (2010-Present): The Firefighter Champion

• Career: Stipe Miocic's boxing and wrestling skills, coupled with his incredible toughness, made him one of the greatest heavyweight champions in UFC history.
• Notable Fights: Victories over Daniel Cormier (twice), Francis Ngannou, and Junior dos Santos. His fights are known for his technical striking and his ability to withstand punishment.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Heavyweight Champion (most consecutive heavyweight title defenses in UFC history).
• Details: Miocic's calm demeanor and his blue-collar work ethic have made him a respected figure in MMA. His ability to consistently defeat top contenders solidified his legacy as one of the best heavyweights of all time.

👉Nick Diaz (2001-Present): The Stockton Bad Boy

• Career: Nick Diaz's unapologetic attitude and relentless pressure fighting style have made him a cult figure in MMA. He's known for his cardio, boxing, and jiu-jitsu.
• Notable Fights: Wins against Robbie Lawler (twice), Paul Daley, and BJ Penn. His battles are known for his "Stockton Slap" and his ability to engage in prolonged, grueling exchanges.
• Awards/Achievements: WEC Welterweight Champion, Strikeforce Welterweight Champion.
• Details: Diaz's "don't back down" mentality and his ability to talk trash while delivering punishment made him a fan favorite. His longevity and commitment to his unique style have solidified his place in MMA lore.

👉Nate Diaz (2004-Present): The Realest in the Game

• Career: Like his brother, Nate Diaz is known for his cardio, boxing, and jiu-jitsu. His "1-2" combination and his ability to taunt opponents mid-fight are his trademarks.
• Notable Fights: Victories over Conor McGregor, Michael Johnson, and Donald Cerrone. His fights are known for their chaotic nature and his ability to overcome adversity.
• Awards/Achievements: The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner.
• Details: Nate Diaz's authenticity and willingness to speak his mind have made him a beloved figure in MMA. His rivalry with Conor McGregor is one of the most iconic in the sport's history.

👉BJ Penn (2001-2019): The Prodigy

• Career: BJ Penn's natural talent and versatility made him a pioneer of MMA. He was known for his exceptional jiu-jitsu and his ability to compete at multiple weight classes.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Matt Hughes (twice), Takanori Gomi, and Diego Sanchez. His fights were known for his technical brilliance and his willingness to take on any challenge.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Lightweight Champion, UFC Welterweight Champion.
• Details: Penn's early career was marked by his dominance in jiu-jitsu. He was one of the first fighters to successfully transition between weight classes, proving his versatility. Although his later career saw many losses, his early dominance cannot be denied.

👉Randy Couture (1997-2011): The Natural - An American Hero

• Career: Couture's wrestling background and relentless pressure made him a successful competitor in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.
• Notable Fights: Wins over Chuck Liddell (twice), Vitor Belfort (twice), and Tim Sylvia are highlights of his career. His fights were known for his toughness and determination.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Heavyweight Champion (multiple times), UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
• Details: Couture's ability to adapt to different opponents and his relentless pressure made him a tough out for anyone. His longevity in the sport and his success in two weight classes solidified his legacy.

👉Conor McGregor (2008-Present): The Notorious

• Career: Conor McGregor's striking prowess, charisma, and business acumen have made him one of the most popular and influential figures in MMA history.
• Notable Fights: Victories over Jose Aldo, Eddie Alvarez, and Dustin Poirier (first fight). His fights are known for their explosive striking and his ability to generate hype.
• Awards/Achievements: UFC Featherweight Champion, UFC Lightweight Champion.
• Details: McGregor's striking accuracy and knockout power are undeniable. His ability to promote his fights and generate massive revenue has transformed the business side of MMA. Although his later career has been marked by losses and inactivity, his early dominance and impact on the sport cannot be ignored.