Who are the Greatest UFC Fighters of All-Time?

By Tim Burke October 22, 2024 16:28 GMT+4 min read

(Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

A hot topic of conversation in the MMA community this year is the ant. Rushmore of UFC fighters. It is a fun topic to debate and analyze. Everyone from Dana White to Conor McGregor has revealed their list but Fan Arch has the defensive Mt Rushmore of the greatest UFC fighters below:

#4 Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib is a perfect 29-0 the greatest lightweight of all time. The man only lost two rounds in his career according to UFC judges. Conor McGregor won round 3 in their UFC 229 meeting on all the judges scorecards cards. In his retirement fight, Khabib lost round one to Justin Gaethje on two of the three judges' scorecards. In 2 hours 43 minutes and 17 seconds in the octagon, Khabib only lost about 6 minutes. That is utter dominance. He retired at the age of 32 and perhaps could have fought a little longer and had a stronger resume as a champion but he is still without a doubt among the best to ever do it.

#3 Demetrius Johnson

When looking at Johnson’s career the first to think of is the number 11. That is the UFC record for most title consecutive title defenses in UFC history and it was held by Demetrius Johnson. His loss of the flyweight title against Henry Cejudo is one of the most controversial decisions in UFC history. Johnson is often critiqued for fighting in the flyweight division. However, only two fighters in the history of the flyweight division have successfully defended the title twice. Demetrius Johnson and current champion Alexandre Pantoja. That goes to show how competitive the flyweight division is. Johnson is one of the greatest to ever do it in an extremely tough division.

#2 Jon Jones

Jon Jones is widely considered the greatest UFC fighter of all time but has a highly complicated legacy. Jones is one of nine fighters in UFC history to become a champion in two weight classes. He is the only double-champion fighter who has not lost a fight via KO or on points. He has a very strong case for being the greatest of all time. However, Jones’s history of using PEDs has significantly damaged his legacy. Corey Anderson said it best when discussing Jon Jones with Fan Arch “What he did was amazing, it took away anything. He did take away. None of his fights and the college miss he had but at the same time, we think about the drugs. Especially somebody like that coach college wrestling. I teach Sportsmanship. You don't cheat. You don't do it.” Since Jon Jones is a known cheater he cannot be regarded as the greatest of all time.

#1 George St-Pierre

George St Pierre beat every man he ever fought. He avenged his only career losses. After 4 years away from the octagon, GSP came back to fight at middleweight against the dangerous Michael Bisping, he earned a submission win in round 3 to become a two-division champion. It is the greatest comeback in MMA history. Unlike Jones and Khabib, GSP did lose in his career. Maybe he is less dominant than those two fighters. Nonetheless, he showed his greatness with perseverance, something Jones and Khabib never experienced. GSP is also the perfect role model away from the octagon. He is the Mixed Martial Artist everyone should aspire to be and the ultimate ambassador for MMA. GSP is the most well-rounded fighter on this list, he had an incredible resume, he illustrated perseverance, and defeated great champions. His career is the definition of greatness. He is the greatest of all time.