In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was co-founded by a former advertising executive, Art Davie, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) icon, Rorion Gracie. The concept was to prove, once and for all, which martial art was the most effective. Davie had been a martial artist in his youth and had often pondered on the idea of testing a number of the world’s foremost disciplines against one another.
The Gracie family, a legendary institution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneers and practitioners, had been looking for an outlet to prove that BJJ was the ultimate martial art known to man. The pair partnered up and arranged the inaugural UFC event at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, on November 12, 1993. Both men would have no idea how successful their idea would one day prove to be.
The event ended as the Gracies might have expected, with their representative, Royce Gracie, dominating all before him. The result of Royce’s incredible demonstration was the birth of MMA and a surge in the popularity of BJJ around the world. For a short time, the bragging rights belonged exclusively to the Gracie family. If there was an ultimate martial art, then surely they had proven it.
Of course, over the years, the emphasis has switched from trying to test one discipline against others. Instead, the evolution of mixed martial arts has proven that – by a taking a little bit from many disciplines, such as Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and BJJ, a fighter will be strong in pretty much every aspect of unarmed combat. The UFC today has proven that a fighter looking to dominate needs to be well-rounded.
Unbeknown to some, MMA is the sport and the UFC is the leading promotion of the sport. For 25 years, the UFC has been the standard bearer of mixed martial arts, showcasing the most incredible talent in MMA. Throughout the various stages of the development of MMA, the UFC has been there, overseeing the shifts and changes that have taken place over the years.
Things haven’t always been easy, however. Up until 2016, MMA was banned in the state of New York. Journalists, politicians, and even boxing promoters like Bob Arum of Top Rank have derided the sport and accused it of being nothing less than organized brutality. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth. MMA is one of the most comprehensively spectacular sports on the planet (when done right).
UFC President Dana White has been instrumental in the evolution and development of the sport, overseeing various transitions and changes that have brought MMA to the attention of the masses. In 2018, the UFC is a globally-recognized promotion, watched by millions around the world each year. The sport’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, is a household name and instantly recognizable figure.
It just so happens that McGregor’s knack for self-promotion, predicting the outcome of fights, and braggadocious behavior led the UFC to an all-time level of popularity. The Irishman’s big mouth and ability to make big money also spawned a number of imitators, changing the dynamic of the sport. The entertainment factor became almost as important as the ability to fight.
In a relatively short time frame, things have rapidly developed.
These days, the UFC is a comprehensively constructed promotion with a series of weight classes. In order to win a title, a fighter must fight in one of these weight classes and beat the incumbent champion. There are both male and female weight classes, but there are no intergender bouts, meaning men must fight men and women must fight women. It’s only fair, after all.
The men’s roster has divisions from flyweight all the way up to heavyweight. The female roster has divisions from strawweight up to featherweight. Fights are arranged between competitors in each weight class, although it is common for fighters to move between weight classes if they have a good enough case to do so.
A standard UFC fight consists of 3, five-minute rounds. A championship fight – or in some cases, a headline fight without a title on the line – will consist of 5, five-minute rounds. There is a one-minute break between rounds in order for fighters to recover and this time is usually spent receiving tactical advice from their respective corners. If one fighter has not been able to knock out or submit their opponent after all rounds have ended, a decision will be left in the hands of the three judges on the night.
UFC events are numbered (such as UFC 1, UFC 115, UFC 229), but there are also UFC Fight Night and UFC on ESPN events, too. UFC events (the numbered ones) are almost always pay-per-view shows, featuring at least one title fight (usually the main event). Aside from the judges, there is always a referee officiating a bout. They can stop the fight at any time they see fit.
The UFC is the first ever MMA promotion on the planet. Over the years, it has grown to be the strongest and most enduring of any mixed martial arts brand anywhere in the world. With the eventful history, tradition of excellence, and pioneering nature of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion has become a synonym for MMA. It is well and truly the major league for mixed martial artists.
As such, pretty much every single fighter with an ambition to compete in MMA will want to sign with the UFC. Whether this is for the prestige of fighting on the big stage, the chance to prove themselves against the very best in the world, or any other reason, there is no doubt that the UFC is top dog. Rival promotion, Bellator, is catching up with the Las Vegas-based outfit but is unlikely to ever overtake it in terms of popularity or success.
Whether you are a young fighter from Dublin, Ireland or a seasoned pro from Rio de Janeiro looking for her big break, the UFC is where it’s at.
Of course, everyone has to start somewhere and that’s what makes following MMA such as privilege. We get to witness the development of fighters who grow to be undisputed legends of their craft, making history and smashing records in the process. These icons of the sport are often directly responsible for young kids joining local gyms or academies, in order to do the same.
Let’s take a look at five of the greatest fighters ever to step into the Octagon of the UFC.
If you have ever read any of my previous work, you will know that I don’t relish in whittling down the icons of any great sport to a small number. Any fan with passion and an understanding of their favorite sport would likely find themselves in the same boat. It is difficult, as there are so many standout performers and contributors to choose from. However, when it needs to be done, it is done.
In my humble opinion, the following fighters have best exemplified what it means to be a true mixed martial artist. With raw talent, supreme composure, a skillset to die for, and a habit of winning, these fighters will always be part of the greater pantheon of UFC legends. No one is perfect, granted, and a couple of guys on this list may have had their fair share of controversy, but when all is said and done, I think they deserve their spots.
Before we continue, I would like to clear your mind of any bias and favoritism. I would also request that you allow me to convince you why these five men (sorry, ladies) are the greatest fighters to have ever laced up gloves in the UFC.
If you believe that there is a certain level of recency bias that might have led to referring to Khabib Nurmagomedov as one of the five greatest fighters of all time, allow me to explain. First of all, yes he absolutely overwhelmed Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Now, Conor McGregor is not one of the greatest fighters of all time, but he is close. Most of the greatest moments in the career of “The Notorious” were one-off victories. They were never repeated, unlike Max Holloway’s two-time domination of Jose Aldo.
Why is this important when it comes to recency bias? Well, for one, I have believed that Nurmagomedov possessed the tools to impose a stranglehold (no pun intended) on the lightweight division for years. When he absolutely ragdolled future champ, Rafael dos Anjos in 2014, his skills were there for all to see. Evidently, the Dagestani never lost a round until the McGregor bout. He has also never been beaten in a fight.
Hell, let’s break it down here: Khabib has never even looked close to being beaten. He has been rocked a couple of times in his career, but always come out on top. OK, he has suffered some injuries and a couple of frustrating pullouts, but we can’t deny his greatness because of this. His resume tells us that he is 27-0 in pro MMA and 11-0 in the UFC. Is his record padded? Maybe his early fights were far from competitive…
Let’s namecheck a couple of fighters that Khabib has not just beaten, but destroyed. Conor McGregor, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ. Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion and welterweight contender. Edson Barboza, one of the best strikers in UFC history and a top-ranked 155-pounder. Al Iaquinta and Michael Johnson have been two of the toughest men at lightweight, when active.
There is little more to say here than what I mentioned previously. “The Eagle” is an incredibly gifted mixed martial artist, and probably has the best wrestling, pound for pound, that the UFC has ever seen. What was really ironic in the bout with McGregor is that he also showed that he can pack a punch, dropping the Dubliner with a thunderous right hand in the second round.
Khabib has his detractors, but these are surely growing smaller and smaller by the day. He is the undisputed UFC lightweight champion – and the greatest 155-pounder of all time, in my opinion – and has never lost a fight. He has dominated everyone that has been put before him, and will continue to. There is one fight that left for him to unquestionably prove this in, against Tony Ferguson, and he will do just that.
A modern-day legend of the sport, even if he will not be appreciated – like many greats – until he has hung up his gloves.
The most underappreciated mixed martial artist of all time? You would have to go a long way to find anyone who fits this description as much as Daniel Cormier. “DC” has been one of the most hardworking and consistent fighters in the sport for years and one of the nicest guys around. Yes, nice guys often finish last, but not Cormier, as he has proven over the past couple of years.
Cormier has unfortunately attracted tons of criticism in the latter stages of his career due to his rivalry with the mercurial, and controversial, Jon Jones. There is no doubt that “Bones” is one of the most popular fighters – or at least, was one of the most popular fighters – in UFC history. As such, Cormier really had no chance when it came to the popularity vote. The tide has slightly turned in recent times for the Team AKA leader.
Cormier will, no doubt, be less concerned with being popular than being successful. If it wasn’t for Jones, Cormier would have no blemish on his professional record. Despite technically losing to the Rochester, New York-native twice, the latter defeat was later overturned to a No Contest owing Joes’ failed drug test for turinabol (a steroid). Cormier did not lose his light heavyweight title, rightfully.
Although the 39-year-old’s UFC career was, for a long time, defined by his rivalry with Jones, Cormier has moved past this. His crushing knockout of the most successful heavyweight in the promotion’s history, Stipe Miocic, proved to everyone that “DC” is much more than a wrestler. The Lafayette, Louisiana-native is an absolute killer, despite his good guy image and likable persona.
Where do I start? He has one of the greatest resumes in MMA, with wins over Stipe Miocic, Anthony Johnson (2), Anderson Silva, Alexander Gustafsson, Dan Henderson, Frank Mir, Josh Barnett, Volkan Oezdimir… the list goes on and on. He is just the second fighter in UFC history (after McGregor) to hold two titles in two separate weight classes, consecutively.
Cormier has one loss in 24 fights (one No Contest) and has proven himself, time and time again, against the best fighters in his division. Against all odds, Cormier moved back up to heavyweight to crush Stipe. He is the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion, too, proving his pedigree before moving to the UFC. All in all, he goes down as an all-time great and one of the most impressive fighters in the history of the promotion.
Yes, he has had his fair share of controversies over the years, but Jon Jones is arguably the most gifted mixed martial artist in the history of the sport. It is a crying shame that we have been deprived of “Bones” in the UFC over the years, but there is no doubt that he has no one to blame but himself. If things would have been different, Jones would probably be the undisputed greatest fighter of all time by now.
Of course, in an ideal world, things would have worked out that way. Jones will return to action at some point in 2019, hopefully, and I, for one, am praying that he can keep it together and do what he does best: fight. The youngest ever UFC champion, at 23 years old, there was nothing quite like watching Jones do his thing inside the Octagon. Every time fans thought he would be beaten, he would shut everyone up.
In terms of his raw talent, he had it all: exemplary striking, excellent grappling, fantastic reach, spatial awareness, fight IQ, vision, and speed. What Jon Jones seemed to best in his career was to find a solution to every problem he had inside the cage. Regardless of the competition, he had an answer. When it looked like he was under fire, bullets would simply bounce off his chest.
It is controversial in itself to proclaim Jones as one of the greatest, especially given his failed drug tests. Call it romanticism or just an appreciation for the finer side of MMA, but I certainly believe he still has to go down as one of the greatest. Now, when he does return and is proven to be fighting clean – if he loses convincingly or demonstrates an inability to fight without the aid of performance enhancing drugs – I will happily come back and remove him from this list.
Jones will forever be remembered as the first “golden child” of the UFC. When he arrived on the scene in 2008, he represented a shift in the dynamics of the sport. With incredible physical gifts and an impressive fight IQ, Jones was seen as the epitome of a modern day mixed martial artist. As comparisons go, this one might be a little trite, but he was almost like the Muhammad Ali of MMA.
As I previously mentioned, Jones is also the youngest champion in UFC history. He slaughtered Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to take the light heavyweight title in 2011. Now, check out this for a resume as champion: Brandon Vera, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, and Daniel Cormier.
Unfortunately, Jones’ personal troubles and failed drug test will hang over his head. The only way to prove that he is the greatest of all time is to come back and dominate all before him.
The first true global superstar of MMA, Anderson Silva was considered simply unbeatable for a long time in the UFC. From April 2006 to July 2013, Silva was, in fact, unbeatable, before Chris Weidman shocked the world by knocking out the Brazilian to take the UFC middleweight title. It was the biggest upset in the history of the sport, without a doubt.
Yes, Silva was playing around a little too much and showboating at a level that was ridiculous for a title fight. However, he lost, and this loss was a definitive moment in his career that he could never recover from. Throw in an unfortunate leg break in the rematch, and there is a case to argue for Silva’s arrogance being the destructive force in his career. Was it boredom that led him to act this way?
You have to remember that “The Spider” was so dominant – aside from a couple of shaky moments – that taking the foot off the gas would have not really been considered too much of a risk. There were times when he seemed to be so good that his fights would be boring, as a result. Was Silva trying to make it up to his fans by showboating? Possibly. He did learn a valuable lesson in the process, it must be said.
When we think back to the greatest championship reign in the history of MMA, it has to be Silva’s. No other fighter dominated such a pool of talent as he did and for so long. Yes, Demetrious Johnson may have broken his all-time title defenses record (11) but Silva’s consecutive win record still stands. He is an indipsutable legend of the UFC and his championship days will always be the stuff of legend.
OK, Anderson Silva has also failed two drug tests in the UFC. The most difficult thing to prove is that he was juicing throughout his career. In fact, it can’t be proven at all. As we only have the official results to go by, you cannot argue that his credentials speak volumes for his talent. Silva is the greatest striker in the history of the UFC and his resume shows just how dominant he was in other departments, too.
The Brazilian has an incredible record, featuring wins over some of the best fighters in the history of the sport. Silva beat Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort, Nate Marquardt, Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen (2), and Forrest Griffin in a period of absolute dominance in the middleweight division. Silva was so good, it looked as though he would never be beaten. Of course, history tells us otherwise.
Regardless, Anderson Silva will always be in the mix when it comes to the topic of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
Unlike other fighters with checkered pasts, Georges St-Pierre has never failed a drug test or been involved in any scandal outside of the cage. “GSP” is one of the most disciplined fighters to have ever competed in MMA and has an adoring fanbase across the world to this day, despite having only fought once in five years. Some fighters leave their imprint on a sport like no other, and the Canadian legend is one of those types of stars.
Bullied as a child, St-Pierre would eventually grow into the most formidable and respectable mixed martial artists of all time. “Rush” beat the all-time great welterweight Matt Hughes in a changing-of-the-guard manner, only to be knocked out in dramatic style by the criminally unfancied Matt Serra in his first title defense. The loss (just the second of his career) hit St-Pierre hard, but in some ways, it was the making of him.
Following the loss to Serra at UFC 69 in April 2007, St-Pierre would go on to never lose another fight again. In fact, the Montreal-native would go on to recapture the UFC welterweight championship by knocking out Serra the following April. St-Pierre would be an unstoppable force at 170 pounds, beating some top class talent on his way to an impressive run of 9 title defenses.
A quick glance over his record shows that “GSP” had some exceptional competition for his title. St-Pierre saw off an incredible array of talent, including Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Jake Shields, Dan Hardy, Josh Koscheck, Johnny Hendricks, and Thiago Alves. St-Pierre fought and beat the best fighters in the world, never ducking a challenge.
There are many reasons why Georges St-Pierre is an all-time great. Sublime skill, unbelievable resolve, incredible mental strength, and a resume that puts many other champions to shame are the first things that come to mind. As one of the most hardworking fighters in the history of the sport, St-Pierre never stopped trying to find ways to better himself, and it showed.
Despite retiring from the sport in 2013, St-Pierre still remained incredibly popular among the UFC faithful. In 2017, “GSP” came back to challenge middleweight king Michael Bisping at Madison Square Garden, and put on a performance for the ages to join the elite club of two weight world champions. To many, it was no surprise, to be everybody, it is one hell of a comeback.
“GSP” is rumored to be up for the challenge of becoming the first three weight world champion in the sport. The man who stands in his way is the first fighter on this list, Khabib Nurmagomedov. If anyone can do it, the Canadian can. After all, he is the greatest fighter in the history of the UFC.
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