Many fighters have been able to showcase their skills throughout MMA history, although today we’re going to talk about the very best of them. The following fighters have contributed to make the sport of mixed martial arts what it is today. They are above their foes in terms of skills; they’re the champs that manage to leave a big mark in history. Now, who doesn’t like rankings?! Without further ado, let’s have a look at the 5 greatest MMA fighters of all time.
5) George St-Pierre
French-Canadian George St-Pierre won the UFC Welterweight championship of the world by knocking Matt Serra out back in 2008. He then proceeded to defend his title 9 times before relinquishing it in 2013. Deadly wrestling, insane athleticism, complete striking, GSP had all the tools needed in order to shine at the very top. And he did, in a way few have managed to do before.
4) Anderson Silva
Former UFC Middleweight champ is one of the very best strikers to ever grace the sport of MMA. His striking defense is insane and his footwork is elite. Silva’s striking acumen has allowed him to defend his UFC title 10 times, a record. One of the flashiest fighters ever, Anderson Silva has never failed to deliver in the cage and he is one of the best fighters ever.
3) Jon Jones
Jon Jones thoroughly mauled then-champ Shogun Rua in 2011 to become the youngest champion in UFC history. He has defended his world title 8 times in his UFC stint. Watching a Jones fight is a real treat; he out-strike strikers and out-wrestle wrestlers. He also is one the flashiest fighters ever, never shying away from attempting spinning attacks or neat throws. That, combined with his athleticism, has made him one of the very best fighters in MMA history.
2) Dominick Cruz
Current UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has beaten a murderer’s row of opponents, including Urijah Faber, Brian Bowles, Joseph Benavidez, current UFC Flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, and TJ Dillashaw.
Oh, and he did that despite suffering multiple, terrible injuries throughout his career. Cruz’s wrestling is elite, but his striking is outright revolutionary. Nobody has understood footwork, angles, and overall striking like him before; it’s insane how his striking is head and shoulders above everyone else’s. Cruz does things in the Octagon that nobody has ever done, ever. That’s why he is one of the best MMA fighters of all time.
1) Fedor Emelianenko
Let’s get this out of the way right away, yes, Fedor Emelianenko has tasted defeat. But that doesn’t tarnish in any way what he has accomplished in the sport.
Fedor debuted his MMA career in 2000 and went 10 years without losing a fight. That’s an insane thing to type, but it’s true. And he wasn’t fighting chumps, mind you. In fact, he has beat two of the greatest Heavyweight fighters of all time, Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ and ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira. He has also defeated FIVE former UFC world champions.
The amazing thing about Fedor is that he often used to fight much, much larger opponents. At the elite level, even 5 pounds makes a huge difference; Fedor used to fight foes that outweighed him by much more. And he was winning, over and over, often in devastating, crushing fashion.
Fedor’s run in the sport of MMA has been nothing short of legendary and for this, he is arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
BONUS) Demetrious Johnson
Johnson made his professional MMA debut at the AX Fighting Championships 16: Annihilation on April 28, 2007, defeating Brandon Fields by first round KO. Along with this, he won his first 10 fights until the WEC came calling on April 24, 2010, when he lost for the first time against Brad Pickett.
In the end, Johnson simply gave up too much size to Pickett. Along with this, after the WEC was gobbled up by the UFC, and Johnson lost a decision to UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz, he dropped down to flyweight, engaging in the UFC’s flyweight tournament to crown a champion for their new division.
Johnson presents a frenetic pace against opponents. He is fast and adept on his feet. He is a solid wrestler as well, born from his early years. Most importantly, in every way, shape, and form, Johnson is clearly a very good athlete. [Source: martialarts.about.com]
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