Who is the best UFC player of all time in the world?
Since 1993, the UFC has been the proving ground for the most talented mixed martial artists worldwide. Fighters from all corners of the globe have showcased their skills in this octagonal sport, with the UFC hosting some of MMA’s biggest matchups. Despite the vast world of MMA, with hundreds of fighters to compare, let’s delve into kingsoccertips exploration of the top 10 best UFC players through the following article!
Top 10 Best UFC Players of All Time
10. Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman makes this list due to his exceptional prowess in the welterweight division, where he once held the championship title and defeated some of the toughest challengers in his weight class during his peak. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ secured numerous victories against fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, as well as having notable matches against current champion Leon Edwards, middleweight champion Sean Strickland, and Tyron Woodley.
His first UFC loss came in August 2022 in a surprising KO defeat against Edwards. Unfortunately, this led to a downturn with three consecutive losses, marking his first such streak in the UFC. UFC President Dana White frequently includes him in his list of best UFC players. Despite his current poor form, White may feel that his time is running out.
9. Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic is considered one of the best UFC players of all time, having won the heavyweight championship twice with longevity and determination being key to his spellbinding success. The American has faced giants throughout different eras, including Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Alistair Overeem, and Andrei Arlovski, and has established himself as an iconic opponent.
His powerful punching style and aggressive nature have resulted in an impressive 64% KO rate, undoubtedly pleasing pay-per-view fans and solidifying his position in the competition. The 41-year-old UFC legend’s path is nearing its end, but he hopes for a successful final bout as he prepares for a potential match with the current champion, Jon Jones, who could further cement his status as the greatest heavyweight of all time.
8. Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion in both light heavyweight and heavyweight, is recognized as the best UFC player in history. He is the second fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously, after Conor McGregor, and the first to successfully defend them. A trendsetter and record-breaker, ‘DC’ forged one of the fiercest rivalries against Jon Jones, often likened to the Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield rivalry in boxing. He famously fought Jones twice, with the latter bout being overturned after Jones failed a drug test.
Cormier retired in 2020 following consecutive heavyweight losses to Miocic, but his legacy remains intact due to his prior accomplishments, which also earned him a role as a frequent commentator for UFC events. His charismatic personality and endearing skills inside the cage have made him a staple in debates about the promotion’s ‘Greatest of All Time,’ often positioning him as one of the best UFC players in history—a claim that’s hard to dispute.
7. Alexander Volkanovski
Currently regarded as the greatest and most dominant featherweight fighter ever, Alexander Volkanovski has become a legendary figure in the rankings due to his extraordinary skills and willingness to face anyone in the octagon. He has virtually cleared out all challenges at 145 pounds, including Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, and Chad Mendes. Remaining undefeated in his favored weight class, he has proven himself capable of leaving an incomparable legacy as his career is far from over.
Volkanovski recently suffered two losses on his UFC record, both of which were valiant attempts against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. However, his desire to take on any challenge has never wavered. This is epitomized by his second clash with the Russian within a week, which involved an extraordinary weight change, leaving no doubt that he deserves to be considered one of the best to accomplish such a feat.
6. Khabib Nurmagomedov
The ‘Eagle,’ Khabib Nurmagomedov, is widely considered the greatest lightweight dominator of all time. He was the longest-reigning champion in UFC history, holding the title from April 2018 to March 2021. With an undefeated 29-0 record in the UFC, he retired with a perfect record—an achievement unlikely to be matched, thanks to his exceptional grappling and lethal submission skills. Nurmagomedov’s dominance and skill make him a standout candidate in discussions about the best UFC player of all time, and his rivalries, particularly with Conor McGregor, have become legendary in the sport.
His bout with McGregor became one of the UFC’s top-selling pay-per-view events, and he fought only twice more after his 2018 victory before deciding to retire following a win over Justin Gaethje. Many believe he could have climbed higher on the list if his career had continued, but he honored his late father’s wishes by deciding to step back earlier. Since then, he has continued to mentor current champion Islam Makhachev, who is undoubtedly following in his footsteps.
5. Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo retired from the UFC as a true legend, having dominated the sport since the UFC’s merger with the WEC and after participating in some of the biggest fights in championship history. He first became the featherweight champion before securing the inaugural UFC featherweight title following the UFC/WEC merger. The Brazilian fighter is widely regarded as one of the top ten greatest mixed martial artists of all time and the greatest featherweight ever to date.
Throughout his career, he had some spectacular bouts that ended in both wins and losses but always delivered thrilling performances, defeating opponents such as Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes. His career experienced a resurgence with a three-fight win streak, but it was halted by a final loss to Merab Dvalishvili before he decided to hang up his gloves as a true pioneer and icon of the sport.
4. Demetrious Johnson
Currently competing in ONE Championship after leaving the UFC, Demetrious Johnson, who was the first flyweight champion in the UFC, set the pace for one of the most dominant periods in any UFC weight class that the MMA promotion has ever seen. Known for his lightning-fast strikes and elusive movements, Johnson holds the record for the most submission finishes in UFC flyweight history.
He also holds the record for the latest finish in UFC history with a submission victory just one second before the end of the fifth round against Kyoji Horiguchi. He is the only UFC fighter to have recorded over 10 submission victories across different fights, and his record-breaking accomplishments will forever etch him in the annals as the best UFC player ever honored in the octagon and certainly the best at flyweight.
3. Anderson Silva
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva ranks third on this list but narrowly misses a higher placement despite his incredible success in the weight class, where he defeated some of his greatest opponents with ease. He still holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days, from 2006 to 2013, a remarkable feat against challengers who tried to dethrone him during his reign.
This feat includes a stunning 16-fight win streak, featuring big names like Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen, among many others. However, things eventually took a downturn. Despite enduring a significant losing streak towards the end of his career, he remained determined to face the best in the octagon. It will be extremely difficult for anyone to match the dominance he held as the greatest middleweight fighter in UFC history.
2. Jon Jones
Jon Jones is an incredibly talented superstar who has held titles in two weight classes and is widely regarded by Dana White as the greatest to ever step into the octagon. Bones reigned as a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, holding the title from March 2011 to April 2015 and from December 2018 to August 2020. During his tenure, he seldom made mistakes. His first title saw him become the youngest champion in UFC history with a victory over Maurício Rua at the age of 23- a feat few at that age could dream of achieving.
He holds numerous UFC records in the light heavyweight division, including most title defenses, most wins, and longest win streaks. He also made a notable impact by capturing the heavyweight title earlier this year after a remarkable run. This came after a two-year hiatus, and we might be witnessing the end of Jones’ career by late 2023 as he prepares to face Stipe Miocic. He believes this fight could be his final bow.
1. Georges St-Pierre
Hailing from Canada, Georges St-Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history and is ranked as the best UFC player of all time on this list. Georges St-Pierre reigned as a two-division champion in the UFC, capturing titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. He won the UFC welterweight crown three times, and on two occasions, he unified the title with an interim belt. Fight Matrix even lists him as the greatest middleweight MMA fighter of all time and the most successful fighter in MMA history.
He retired as the reigning UFC middleweight champion in December 2013, holding the record for most wins in championship fights and the second-longest combined title streak in UFC history (2,204 days), while having defended his titles consecutively 9 times. He returned to the Octagon in November 2017 at UFC 217, defeating Michael Bisping via submission to claim the middleweight belt and becoming the fourth UFC fighter to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Conclusion
The list of the top UFC players showcases extraordinary talents who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From relentless champions like Georges St-Pierre, who dominated multiple weight classes with finesse and skill, to trailblazers like Jon Jones, who redefined greatness with his versatility and record-breaking achievements, each fighter on this list has uniquely contributed to the legacy of mixed martial arts. Their dedication, resilience, and mastery inside the Octagon have solidified their places as some of the best UFC player of all time, inspiring generations of fighters and fans alike with their awe-inspiring performances and lasting impact on the sport.
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