Who Has the Best Takedown Defence in UFC History

When talking about wrestling in the UFC or MMA, everyone always jumps the gun and focuses on fighters who land the most takedowns. But, having solid takedown defence is just as great of an asset to have as getting a takedown in itself. This is especially true if you are a striker, because they want to keep the fight standing.

In this article, SportsBoom has taken a look at the top ten fighters who have the best takedown defence in UFC history, with statistics taken from the official UFC statistics website.

Breaking Down Fighters With the Best Takedown Defence in UFC History

In this segment, SportsBoom has ranked and analysed ten fighters with the best takedown defence in UFC history.

1. Julio Arce

Renan Barao kicks Andre Ewell//Getty Images

When ranking the “best” fighters at a specific thing, you naturally expect to see a UFC icon at the number one spot. However, when ranking the best takedown defence in UFC history, Julio Arce takes this spot.

With a takedown defence rate of 96.2%, the featherweight fighter has hit the mat just once throughout his ten bouts in the UFC, and that came early on in his time in the promotion, against Dan Ige.

2. Jon Jones

Jon Jones//Getty Images

Ranking at number two is arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, Jon Jones. Jones himself has extraordinary Greco-Roman wrestling skills, but he is equally a great takedown defensive fighter. 

A 95% takedown defence rate allows him to keep fights standing where he can use his excellent creative striking skills, or use his own offensive wrestling to take the fight to the ground.

Only twice in his 30-fight career was he taken down. Jones has faced the very toughest order of competition, holding the all-time record for belt defences with 12.

3. Eddie Wineland

Eddie Wineland may be another fighter that you aren't necessarily aware of. The former WEC bantamweight champion was taken down just three times in 16 UFC fights, coming in at a 93% takedown defence rate.

While Wineland had a very average run in the UFC and a poor end to his career, statistically he has one of the best takedown defences ever.

4. Belal Muhammad 

Belal Muhammad is certainly making sure people “Remember The Name” as far as takedown defence goes; he currently has the joint-third best takedown defence in UFC history, with a 93% success rate.

The current UFC welterweight champion has made drastic improvements over the last couple of years to his striking and his offensive grappling. Adding this to his already superb defensive wrestling, Muhammad has become a much more well-rounded fighter.

5. Ketlen Viera

Ketlen Viera has showcased her tremendous offensive grappling and submission skills over the last few years. Not only is she excellent from an attacking standpoint, she is also very good defensively, holding a 92.9% takedown defence rate.

Even if she does get taken down, which is extremely rare, she holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, so really you are risking being submitted from her back, even if you do succeed with your takedown.

6. Jimmie Rivera

Coming in at number six is Jimmie Rivera with a 92.6% takedown defence success rate. 

Making his debut in 2015, he quickly racked up impressive wins against the likes of Pedro Munhoz, Faber, and Thomas Almeida.

Rivera is a fluid and very powerful striker who loves to eat up his opponents lead leg with calf kicks. While this is an effective strike to throw, it does leave you open for the possibility of being taken down. But not in Rivera's case; he has great balance which has helped keep his takedown defence numbers as high as they currently rank.

7. Renan Barão 

Renan Barão is a modern day legend of the sport. As soon as he made his UFC debut in 2011, he almost instantly won the bantamweight title in 2012 by defeating MMA icon Urijah Faber, and then successfully defending it three times. 

What made the Brazilian so good was his well-rounded skill set; he had very good striking, cardio, and slick submission skills. Additionally, he had good takedown defence, 92.5% success rate.

8. Gleison Tibau

Gleison Tibau, in terms of actual technique, should be higher on this list if it wasn't for his 92.1% takedown defence.

He was a very aggressive fighter, somewhat of a powerhouse. The Brazilian swung hard with every punch and kick he threw, doing damage to his opponents. 

Equally though, he had good textbook offensive and defensive wrestling, as Khabib Nurmagomedov got to see first hand at UFC 148. Arguably the best wrestler in UFC history, Khabib couldn't get the Brazilian down to the ground in a total of 13 attempts.

9. Shane Burgos

A prime Shane Burgos was a very entertaining fighter to watch, even though he was far from the best in the company. Four of the New Yorker's 11 UFC bouts earned him a Fight of the Night bonus, highlighting the entertainment factor.

Perhaps Burgos’ most famous moment inside the octagon came when he would suffer a bizarre KO defeat to Edson Barboza, with replays showing a two or three second delayed reaction after the Brazilian caught Burgos with a punch to the face.

Nevertheless, Burgos remains the ninth best takedown defender in UFC history with a 91.5% success rate.