With the likes of Al Iaquinta making a name for himself as one of the best MMA fighters from New York, aspiring fighters from Brooklyn can now envisage a bright future in professional MMA.
For this clan of promising Brooklyn fighters, the peak of their MMA ambitions would be featuring in the biggest fighting events in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
There is no denying that the UFC is one of the grandest promotions in the world of MMA. Top fixtures involving the superstar likes of McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov attract exciting betting offers from top bookmaker apps like Bet365 (readily accessible after a Bet365 download).
These heroes are viable mentors aspiring Brooklyn fighters can look up to as they sojourn into higher spheres in their careers. In this article, we compiled a list of the five greatest UFC fighters of all time, focusing on the fights and records they earned in the UFC.
1. Jon Jones (20-1-0)
With 20 wins to 1 draw in the UFC, we can rightly say Jon 'Bones' Jones has earned the right to be one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. Jones is a former UFC fighter and was a two-time light heavyweight champion, securing the title from March 2011 to April 2015 and December 2018 to August 2020.
He became the youngest champion at 23 with his win over Mauricio Rua. He is the UFC light heavyweight fighter with the highest title defenses, the highest wins, and the longest win streaks in that category.
Jones's incredible reach, balance, and agility are some of his strengths. He also has a fascinating assortment of moves and strikes that he uses to throw his opponents off balance.
To top it off, he has an evolving fight strategy, which, together with those mentioned above, makes him a force of nature.
2. Georges St. Pierre (20-2-0)
Georges St.Pierre had a good run in the UFC and fought mostly in the welterweight division. He won the welterweight title nine times in a row, and we know he hardly lost a round during his reign.
He also dabbled in the middleweight division and defeated Michael Bisping in his first year in that division. This defeat earned St. Pierre the middleweight title in 2017, making him the fourth fighter in the UFC division to be a multi-division champion.
That was a great career-capping come back for him, as he had retired from the welterweight division and had a four-year hiatus. It is tough to find a weakness in St. Pierre's fighting style; he is disciplined, has an array of techniques, and is calm in the ring.
3. Anderson Silva (17-7-0)
Anderson Silva was a fighter to behold. His signature movement for defense signaled a knockout for his opponent. At 34 wins to 11 losses, Anderson has the record for the longest title defense in UFC history. He held on to the middleweight champion title for 10 years, from 2006 to 2013.
The record was broken by Demetrious Johnson, who clinched 11 defenses in 20. Anderson was a master of martial arts. He was skilled at evading punches by bobbing and swaying his head. However, he knew how to land the punches in a rush and, with his deadly knees, could easily score a victory.
Anderson is undeniably one of the GOATs of the UFC, and his fighting prowess is currently unmatched. He retired from MMA in 2021; however, he is still involved in other combat sports.
4. Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1)
Another classy fighter who deserves to be on this list is Demetrious Johnson, nicknamed the 'Mighty Mouse.' Johnson won his first flyweight title in 2011 and defended it 11 times straight until 2017. He came close in 2018, but he lost to Henry Cejudo.
The 'Mighty Mouse' is the only fighter in UFC history to record more than 10 takedowns in three fights. He also has the most takedowns in the flyweight division's history.
Johnson is fast, knows how to blend speed with footwork, and can put together several swift combinations that would leave his opponents dazed.
Johnson left the UFC shortly after his loss to Cejudo; however, he is still active in MMA, and we love to see more of his brilliant moves.
5. Khabib Nurmagomedov (13-0-0)
Khabib Nurmagomedov undeniably dominated the cage during his UFC fighting time. He has an unblemished record with 29 wins and no losses throughout his UFC career. This also extends to MMA, where he had 29 wins and no losses.
He fought in the lightweight and welterweight divisions and is a one-time lightweight champion with three successful title defenses. Before exiting the UFC, as he is popularly known, the Eagle defeated the best of the UFC fighters, including Connor McGregor, Rafael Don Anjos, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
Khabib is strong and light on his feet and is known for his bull-rushing method, which can leave opponents unbalanced.
There you have it! Our five greatest UFC fighters of all time. These fighters have demonstrated considerable skills, dominance, and control during their time in the UFC. What do you think of our list?
Do you think there’s someone who deserves to be on the list? Drop your comments and thoughts below.
