Top 10 MMA Fighters of All Time
Numerous fighters deserved to make this list but did not, with notable examples including female MMA icon Amanda Nunes having no shot at reaching the top 10.
Georges St-Pierre, a two division world champion, narrowly missed out due to losses against Nick Diaz and Matt Hughes.
1. Jon Jones
Jon Jones reigned supreme in the light heavyweight division, winning 11 titles over 11 fights against men such as Carlos Newton, Sean Sherk, Georges St-Pierre and B.J Penn.
He is one of the most versatile fighters in UFC history, competing across different weight classes and showing resilience when facing controversy.
Jones boasts a massive following on Instagram, where he often shares personal insights into his personal life. He lives with wife Jessie and together they have two daughters – Leah and Carmen Nicole. Jones’ fights generate significant pay-per-view sales and media interest. Furthermore, his presence serves as an inspirational role model for younger fighters within the promotion. Additionally, Jones has had several run-ins with law; these incidents tarnished his reputation outside of MMA; however his popularity rebounded upon returning to action by submissing Ciryl Gane in 2023.
2. Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva stands out among MMA legends as one of the greats, boasting 16 wins consecutively at UFC events and dominating middleweight division with victories over Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson among many other fighters.
Silva employs an unconventional fighting style that blends Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai techniques. A master at controlling the fight and exploiting his opponent’s weaknesses, Silva made headlines throughout MMA history for taunting Chris Weidman before getting caught. One memorable moment from Silva’s career can be found here.
Silva has expanded his career by competing in high-profile boxing matches. This shows his desire to leave his mark and inspire the next generation of MMA athletes. Through this endeavor alone he has amassed an immense net worth through fighting and other ventures.
3. Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor was an impressive heavyweight MMA athlete during his day and, even though he never competed for the UFC, still left an indelible mark on MMA history. Over his 28-fight unbeaten streak and against some of the sport’s biggest stars, Fedor made quite an impressionful legacy for himself.
Fedor was an incredible striker and submission grappler, as well as being an extraordinary brawler. Using his size and strength effectively, he used short, quick shots to finish opponents quickly.
At his peak in PRIDE, he was an unstoppable force, producing some of the most thrilling fights ever witnessed. A brutal fighter capable of knocking out any opponent thrown his way, he had an incredible chin while remaining humble about his abilities and never got caught up in his own hype.
4. Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic is an accomplished two-time UFC champion and one of the most dominating heavyweights in MMA history. Boasting an efficient jab, strong left hook, and inside/outside leg kicks that enable him to dominate from top position, Miocic stands as an impressive heavyweight force.
He is also well known for his exceptional wrestling abilities and strong takedown defense, making him an effective finisher with multiple knockouts throughout his career.
Miocic is an intelligent fighter who utilizes his intellect to find openings in his opponent’s game and exploit them, such as when defending against Francis Ngannou last weekend – where Miocic quickly dismantled him easily, making Ngannou seem pedestrian in comparison. Miocic previously held Golden Gloves boxing titles and Division I wrestling championships before transitioning into firefighter paramedic duties at Oakwood and Valley View Fire Departments near his Cleveland hometown, Ohio.
5. Randy Couture
Randy Couture has been a staple in the Ultimate Fighting Championship for more than 10 years, becoming an icon due to his unyielding ability against larger opponents and his remarkable tenacity against larger foes. Additionally, he has won several notable fights throughout his career and holds two heavyweight championships and three light heavyweight championships respectively.
Couture showed incredible resilience during his fight with Vitor Belfort, ultimately emerging victorious after many believed he had lost. Through a long and tough struggle, Couture secured both back mount and rear naked choke submission victories to claim victory and make history.
Couture faced off against Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight title in 2004, in an unforgettable matchup that culminated with him dominating his larger opponent with takedowns and ground and pound for an uncontested unanimous decision win at 40 years of age – becoming oldest UFC Champion ever at that time!
6. Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie has long been one of the greatest names in MMA history, hailing from one of the Gracie family’s legendary lines and being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Royce is known for his powerful grappling techniques which see him shatter cages while dominating opponents with dominant wrestling skills. Additionally, his students include members from organizations such as CIA, FBI, Secret Service, Army Special Forces and Navy Seals as well as local sheriff and police departments – not forgetting countless sheriff and police departments!
He rose through the ranks quickly in both weight classes to earn two UFC championships while beating some of the sport’s premier fighters such as Nick Diaz, Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes. Additionally, he competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships and K-1’s MMA events.
7. Eddie Alvarez
Demetrious Johnson remains one of the greatest flyweights in UFC history despite losing to Anderson Silva in his final fight. Demetrious was legendary at making unbelievable submissions or landing knockouts inside the cage – something Anderson Silva never could match him for.
Israeli Adesanya earned himself a spot on this list after proving he can successfully dominate two different divisions simultaneously. He won against notable opponents such as Kelvin Gastelum, Yoel Romero and Kamaru Usman for victory at both weight classes.
Randy Couture may irritate some by his inability to defend a title, but his resilience against Tim Sylvia makes him worthy of inclusion on this list. It stands as proof of why so many consider him one of the great fighters of MMA today; indeed he truly stands as an icon.
8. Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya’s journey from New Zealand kickboxing prodigy to UFC star and middleweight champion has been nothing short of spectacular. His unmatched fighting style has drawn rave reviews from fans and peers alike, showcasing his striking prowess on an international platform.
Rob Wilkinson fell to Adesanya via TKO in the second round in Adesanya’s UFC debut, yet “The Last Stylebender” outwitted Marvin Vettori to earn himself a Performance of the Night bonus award.
Adesanya made his mark against one of MMA’s all-time greats when he defeated legendary Anderson Silva in a main event last December, cementing his standing amongst the top 10 fighters of all time and earning him recognition outside of octagon activism for activism in support of his craft.
9. Renan Barao
Barao made his UFC debut a monumental success, and soon carried huge momentum into his next fight by winning via first-round submission against Brad Pickett – earning fight of the night honors along the way – before going on to secure victories over Urijah Faber, Sean Sherk and Georges St-Pierre in subsequent contests.
With his accomplishments, it’s not hard to see why Barao is widely revered in MMA circles. Still, without that final piece of hardware he needs for title contention at his weight class (125lbs), however. That isn’t saying he doesn’t deserve this status; on the contrary, it certainly speaks volumes; all it needs is for more people to accept him; this could happen anytime now!
10. Max Holloway
Max Holloway is one of the UFC’s most decorated strikers and an expert at controlling fights. He serves as an inspiring example of how hard work and persistence can lead to success in MMA; additionally he emphasizes the significance of staying true to yourself and your team members.
Holloway has accomplished so much in his career due to his humility and hardworking characteristics. His legacy will be hard to match.
Holloway is known for being an outstanding family man and having an acute sense of responsibility towards those around him. Living in Honolulu, Hawaii he manages his career alongside family life with wife and son named Rush residing with them both balancing well. Additionally he actively supports his local MMA community by participating in events.
