While there are more and more fighters in the UFC, the debate about who are its all-time greatest fighters will continue. Here is my top 10 list.
1. Royce Gracie. While winning UFC 1, 2, and 4, Gracie routinely beat opponents 50 to 100 pounds bigger than he. Gracie’s use of Brazilian ju-jitsu (or BJJ) opened the eyes of the fight game. There were very few rules in these early UFC’s and the real question seemed to be who would win between a boxer, wrestler, or ju-jitsu specialist. Royce Gracie made a legendary name for the practice of Brazilian ju-jitsu with his victories over stronger and more powerful kick boxers and wrestlers. To have a chance in the UFC against a Brazilian ju-jitsu master, other fighters learned that they at least needed to learn basic BJJ techniques and defense. A legend, pioneer of the sport, and master technician, Royce Gracie will always claim the first spot.
2. Chuck Liddell. The face of the UFC and the most famous fighter of all time, Liddell holds the record for the most victories in the UFC. With his solid wrestling base, excellent takedown defense, and famously heavy hands, Liddell ruled the UFC Light Heavyweight Division from UFC 52 through UFC 66. He holds victories over many legendary opponents such as Randy Couture, Renato Sobral (Babalu), Vitor Belftot, Tito Ortiz, Kevin Randleman, Alistair Overeem, and Wanderlei Silva.
3. Randy Couture. The “Natural” is one of the most beloved fighters ever and along with Liddell is credited with bringing mixed martial arts and the UFC into mainstream credibility. The oldest titleholder ever at 44, Randy is known for his clinch game and dirty boxing. Once the “Natural” has you pinned up against the cage standing with his hooks in, you were in big trouble. One of the only fighters to hold UFC titles at different weight classes, Couture fought in 16 title fights.
4. Matt Hughes. The reign of Matt Hughes during his prime in the UFC was probably the most dominant in UFC history. Hughes used amazing wrestling, top-level submissions, and brute strength to dominate his opponents at the UFC Welterweight Division. With only one loss to B.J. Penn that he later avenged, Hughes was undefeated as Welterweight Champion from 2001 through 2006. Other fighters simply could not handle his strength and will in the cage.
5. George St. Pierre. Often referred to as “GSP” or “Rush”, George St. Pierre may possible be the best pound-for-pound fighter ever. GSP mixes together a massive skill-set including extreme athleticism, karate, solid ju-jitsu, and phenomenal wrestling. While avenging an earlier loss to Matt Hughes to gain the title, no one else has really been a match for GSP. A fluke loss to Matt Serra was later brutally avenged and GSP has been on top ever since. GSP also has brilliant French rap music as his walkout songs.
6. Anderson Silva. The “Spider” seemed to hit the UFC right at the peak of his career after competing in Pride. His Muay Thai skills and particularly his Muay Thai head clinch game are devastating to his opponents. Long time champion Rich Franklin was KO’d twice by powerful knees while in Anderson Silva’s Muay Thai clinch. Out of his first 8 fights in the UFC, the Spider had 6 KO’s and 2 submissions. Although he has several losses before his UFC career, no one in the UFC has really put up a fight against him.
7. Tito Ortiz. Tito “the Huntington Beach Bad Boy” will always have a place in UFC history and lore. Using a strong wrestling background, Tito won most of his fights by simply taking the fight to his opponents. Tito racked up 5 straight UFC Light Heavyweight Title defenses and defeated noteworthy opponents such as Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin, Ken Shamrock, Evan Tanner, and Vitor Belfort. Tito summed up his style perfectly in an interview when he states, “More than anything else is the ferocity I bring into the octagon when I fight.”
8. Mark Coleman. Known as the “Hammer”, Coleman was the first UFC competitor to use the wrestling combined with ground and pound (GnP) to great success. Transitioning from the US Olympic Wrestling team, Mark “The Godfather of GnP” successfully won his first two UFC tournaments, UFC 10 and 11. Coleman piled up an outstanding MMA career while fighting all of the legends such as Fedor, Maurico Rua, CroCop, Dan Severn, and Pedro Rizzo. Returning to the Octagon at the age of 44, Coleman won fight of the night honors in a close loss to Shogun Rua and then defeated Stephan Bonnar in his next fight at UFC 100.
9. Frank Shamrock. Although Shamrock was only in the UFC for 5 fights, he went undefeated while each fight was for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. Of the 5 fights, Shamrock won 4 by submission and 1 by KO. After dominating Tito Ortiz at UFC 22 in a submission win due to strikes, Frank retired unexpectedly and left the UFC. Frank returned to fight in various other MMA organizations and amass many more wins.
10. Ken Shamrock. Frank Shamrock’s half-brother, Ken Shamrock is a legend in his own right in the UFC. Probably best known for his two highly hyped losses to Tito Ortiz, Ken also piled up some amazing wins in the UFC to include the first UFC Superfight Championship (unlimited weight class). Although technically ruled a draw, Ken’s fight against Royce Gracie at UFC 5 showed his talent as he beat on Royce and closed his left eye swollen shut. Through a very long career, Ken amassed notable wins against such high level opponents such as Bas Rutten, Kimo, and Maurice Smith.
