MMA
Top Ten Best MMA Fighters of All Time: A Data-Driven Ranking
In this article, we rank the top ten best MMA fighters of all time using a data-driven method which includes dominance, versatility and impact on MMA history, as well as the SportsBoom MetaScale Score.
Georges St-Pierre and Joe Rogan//Getty Images
Despite only being a little over 30 years old, mixed martial arts has well and truly grown leaps and bounds over the decades. As time has evolved, so have the fighters. And because of this, MMA fans have been blessed with several top talents over the years.
MMA legends such as Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Jon Jones have had a massive impact on the growth of the sport for many reasons. Firstly, their fighting skills and reputation helped MMA grow its audience. Secondly, because of their fighting style and fame, people grow up wanting to be just like them, so they have also helped to expand the talent pool of fighters.
In this article, we will rank the top ten best MMA fighters of all time using a data-driven approach, using rankings from ESPN, Tapology, and SportsBoom MetaScale. By doing this, we will have clear statistical evidence to help rank the best fighters ever.
Methodology
Data Collection
Critical Consensus
- Combined rankings by normalizing scores from both sources.
- Fighters appearing in only one list received a score relative to their peers.
SportsBoom MetaScale
Scores calculated using weighted metrics:
- Dominance at Peak (30%): Title defenses, win streaks, and dominance metrics.
- Career Longevity (25%): Years spent at the top level.
- Versatility Across Weight Classes (20%): Success in multiple divisions.
- Historical Significance (25%): Legacy and influence on MMA.
Critical Consensus Table
Jon Jones//Getty Images
The Critical Consensus Table combines rankings from ESPN and Tapology, giving each fighter a normalised score based on their respective rank.
| Rank | Fighter | ESPN Rank | Tapology Rank | Average Rank | Key Achievements |
| 1. | Georges St-Pierre | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 2-division UFC champion, 13 title defences, all-time great grappler. |
| 2. | Jon Jones | 1 | 3 | 2.0 | Longest UFC title reign, 15 title defences, youngest UFC champion. |
| 3. | Anderson Silva | 3 | 7 | 5.0 | 10 consecutive title defences, record for UFC finishes (14). |
| 4. | Demetrious Johnson | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | 11 consecutive flyweight title defences, exceptional versatility. |
| 5. | Khabib Nurmagomedov | 5 | 9 | 7.0 | Undefeated (29-0), dominant lightweight champion. |
| 6. | Fedor Emelianenko | 6 | NR | 6.0 | Dominated heavyweight in Pride, iconic winning streak. |
| 7. | Jose Aldo | NR | 5 | 7.5 | 9 consecutive featherweight title defences. |
| 8. | Randy Couture | 7 | NR | 7.5 | 6-time UFC champion, first to win titles in two divisions. |
| 9. | Alex Volkanovski | NR | 2 | 8.0 | Second-most title fight wins in UFC featherweight history, 12-fight UFC win streak. |
| 10. | Daniel Cormier | NR | 6 | 8.0 | 2-division UFC champion, Strikeforce Grand Prix winner. |
How we Ranked the Best MMA Fighters of All Time? SportsBoom Approach
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
The SportsBoom MetaScale refines rankings by applying weighted metrics for each fighter's dominance, versatility, longevity, and impact.
Metrics Weights:
- Dominance at Peak (30%)
- Career Longevity (25%)
- Versatility Across Weight Classes (20%)
- Historical Significance (25%)
| Rank | Fighter | Dominance (30%) | Longevity (25%) | Versatility (20%) | Significance (25%) | MetaScale Score |
| 1. | Georges St-Pierre | 29 | 25 | 18 | 24 | 96 |
| 2. | Jon Jones | 30 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 94 |
| 3. | Anderson Silva | 28 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 89 |
| 4. | Demetrious Johnson | 27 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 86 |
| 5. | Khabib Nurmagomedov | 30 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 82 |
| 6. | Jose Aldo | 26 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 82 |
| 7. | Fedor Emelianenko | 28 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 80 |
| 8. | Alex Volkanovski | 25 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 80 |
| 9. | Randy Couture | 22 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 79 |
| 10. | Daniel Cormier | 23 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 77 |
1. Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre//Getty Images
Georges St-Pierre had 13 successful title defences and was a two-weight UFC champion, so there's no wonder why he is always mentioned in the conversation for the best MMA fighter of all time. The Canadian was one of the most well-rounded fighters in history, which helped him be effective in every aspect of the fight game. His longevity in the sport, having the best longevity ranking on this list (25), saw his career span across 15 years, and that's what makes GSP such a legendary fighter.
2. Jon Jones
Jon Jones//Getty Images
Jon Jones’ resumé and record speaks for itself. He is the youngest UFC champion in history, and he has the most UFC title fights in history with 17, and the most successful title defences with 12. Winning the heavyweight title and recently defending it, only adds to his ridiculous portfolio of work, making him a dominant two-weight champion. This is why he is given the highest rank for dominance on this list (30). “Bones” is the only fighter on this list that scores the maximum grade in multiple categories (dominance and versatility).
3. Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva kicks Derek Brunson//Getty Images
Anderson Silva was one of the best strikers that we have seen inside the octagon, using his creativity and technical finesse to destroy several opponents on his way to cementing himself as the best middleweight in UFC history. It is no wonder why Silva has the third highest score for dominance on this list (28). “The Spider” holds the record for the most title fight wins via stoppage in UFC history (9). He also holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history, spanning 2457 days.
4. Demetrious Johnson
UFC featherweight champion Demetrious Johnson//Getty Images
For many, Demetrious Johnson is considered the most talented fighter the octagon has witnessed. “Mighty Mouse” dominated the flyweight and bantamweight divisions with his perfect blend of striking and grappling. DJ holds the record for the most consecutive UFC title defences in history with 11.
5. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov//Getty Images
Khabib Nurmagomedov's name will always be mentioned in the best MMA fighters of all time conversation because he dominated the UFC's lightweight division, and retired as an undefeated fighter. “The Eagle” holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC lightweight history (1077 days). Khabib is the only other fighter, along with Jon Jones, to reach a dominance score of 30 on this list.
6. Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo knees Mario Bautista//Getty Images
Another fighter that is considered as the greatest UFC featherweight of all time is Jose Aldo. Aldo won his first major title in the WEC in 2009, and the company would later merge with the UFC in 2010, which automatically elevated the Brazilian to being the UFC featherweight champion. Aldo reigned as champion between 2009 and 2015 where he successfully defended his belt ten times across the WEC and UFC, before being flattened by Conor McGregor in record time. Aldo's dominance and longevity in the sport sees him rank as the 6th best fighter of all time.
7. Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko and Rampage Jackson//Getty Images
The consensus greatest heavyweight of all time, Fedor Emelianenko dominated in his Pride FC days where he once went almost a full decade without losing. Retiring with a record of 40-7-1, “The Last Emperor” is considered one of the best fighters ever, with a successful career spanning across 23 years. The Russian fighter scores the third-best dominance score on this list with 30.
8. Alex Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski//Getty Images
Alex Volkanovski is the first Australian-born fighter to win a UFC title, and some MMA fans regard him as the best featherweight to ever do it because of his dominance in the division between 2016 and 2023. Volkanovski has the second-most title fight wins in UFC featherweight history with six, and he only just recently lost his first fight in the UFC's 145-pounds division after being knocked out by Ilia Topuria, losing the title in the process. Not only was the Australian a dominant champ at featherweight, he also proved his ability to compete at lightweight in his first bout against Islam Makhachev, and for that reason he gets the second highest versatility score (19).
9. Randy Couture
Randy Couture//Getty Images
Randy Couture is an MMA icon because of his success in the early years of the UFC. Despite ending his career 19-11, the American is in the history books because he is a two-weight UFC champion (light-heavyweight and heavyweight). He is the first multi-division champion in UFC history. Additionally, he is a six-time UFC champion. To add, he is the first and only fighter that was a multi-divisional UFC champion that won back the title after losing it (twice at heavyweight and once at light-heavyweight). Despite all of his accolades, Couture was not regarded as a dominant champion, hence why he is graded as the least dominant fighter on this list with a score of 22.
10. Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones//Getty Images
Daniel Cormier had an outstanding MMA career, finishing with a record of 22-3, and if it wasn't for Jon Jones at light-heavyweight and Stipe Miocic at heavyweight, DC not only would've gone unbeaten in his career, he probably would've dominated both divisions. Yet, the American still managed to win both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles. Although his dominant score is only 23, Cormier's ability to win titles in two-weight divisions, against very solid opponents, sees him get the third highest versatility score on this list (18).
SportsBoom Suggests
Based on the detailed analysis, Georges St-Pierre emerges as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, with his unmatched combination of dominance, versatility, and longevity. His reign across two divisions and consistency in defending his title against elite opponents solidifies his legacy.
Jon Jones, despite his controversies, claims the second spot, thanks to his unparalleled title reign and ability to adapt across weight classes. Anderson Silva, the third-ranked fighter, is celebrated for his technical brilliance and highlight-reel knockouts during his historic UFC middleweight run.
While Demetrious Johnson's dominance in the flyweight division places him fourth, Khabib Nurmagomedov, with his unbeaten record, rounds out the top five, leaving a lasting impression on the lightweight division.
Honorable mentions include José Aldo for his featherweight supremacy and Fedor Emelianenko, who defined the heavyweight era in Pride FC. Current elite fighters like Alexander Volkanovski are proving their greatness in real time and are rapidly climbing the all-time ranks.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp