It should be no surprise that the UFC has attracted some of largest and most physically imposing fighters over its 20+ year history, so let’s take a look at the Top 5 largest fighters to ever compete inside of the Octagon.
5) Gan McGee – 6′ 10″ 265lbs
Nicknamed ‘The Giant’ and with good reason, Gan Mcgee made his MMA debut back in 1999 out sizing virtually all his competition and won the IFC Warriors Challenge 7 tournament.
On September 26, 2003, McGee earned a title shot at UFC 44: Undisputed against 6 ft. 8 in Tim Sylvia whom he out-sized in a match that was dubbed “The Battle of the Giants” but lost via TKO in the first round.
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4) Semmy Schilt – 6′ 10″, 288lbs
Although he best known as one of the most dominant kickboxers of all time, Semmy Schilt actually started out as an MMA fighter in 1996.
Throughout his MMA career Semmy had two appearances inside the UFC, the first of which was at UFC 31 where he TKO’ed Pete Williams with brutal kicks to the body, which was followed up with a submission loss to Josh Barnett at UFC 32.
From 2002 onward, Semmy focused more on his kickboxing career where he become a four time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion and one time Glory Champion before his retirement.
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3) Teila Tuli – 6′ 1″, 420lbs
The original giant of the UFC, Teila Tuli competed in the historic UFC 1 tournament back in 1993. With a background in Sumo wrestling, Teila become the first foreigner to win a championship in the Makushita division of Sumo.
His sole UFC fight came against Gerard Gordeau, losing via head kick at 0:26 and losing a tooth in the process.
He currently stars in the hit show Hawaii Five-0.
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2) Stefan Struve – 6′ 11.5″, 265lbs
It turns out Semmy Schilt wouldn’t be the only Dutch giant to fight in the Octagon, as Stefan ‘Skyscraper’ Struve made his UFC debut in 2009.
A submission specialist holding a record of 28-8, he had a notable bout against kick boxer Pat Barry, which was the largest height discrepancy in UFC history. Struve won via triangle armbar in round number two.
He also is the first and only man to TKO reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
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1) Emmanuel Yarbrough – 6′ 8″, 616lbs
The giant of all giants, the late Sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarbrough held the Guinness World Record for Largest Athlete which was awarded to him in 2012.
Routinely placing high in the Sumo World Championships during the early 90’s, Emmanuel made his Octagon debut in 1994 at UFC 3.
Although he was and still is the heaviest fighter to ever fight in the Octagon, Keith Hackney was able to overcome the size disadvantage and win via TKO.
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In 1995 Emmanuel claimed the title of World Amateur Sumo World Champion. Emmanuel sadly passed away at the age of 51 in December 2015. RIP
