MMA
Greatest Undefeated UFC Fighters: Khabib, Topuria, Rakhmonov
In a sport that is often decided on the smallest of margins, securing an undefeated record is simply an incredible achievement. Champions are tested in the octagon and legacies are certainly forged, but with the threat of injury always just a moment away and uncertainty the norm, some names have been cemented in the annals of history.
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SB Market Index: How we Evaluate these Undefeated Warriors
Our SB Market Index considers statistics alongside public and media perception. We look at measuring the following.
- SB Score – this looks at the total wins and finishing percentage of a fighter
- Industry Insights – this is media and fan discussions around who might be the best among the UFC fighters who managed to remain undefeated.
Industry Insights
Here is a closer look at how often each fighter was mentioned amongst the top 10 MMA media outlets.
| Source Name | Shavkat Rakhmonov | Movsar Evloev | Michael Morales | Ilia Topuria | Khabib Nurmagomedov |
| UFC Official Site – "Perfect Record Fighters" | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| ESPN – "Ranking the Best Undefeated Fighters in MMA" | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bleacher Report – "Who is the GOAT of Undefeated Fighters?" | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sherdog – "Analyzing the Undefeated Streaks" | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| MMA Junkie – "UFC's Most Feared Unbeatens" | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| GiveMeSport – "Top 5 Undefeated UFC Fighters" | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| talkSPORT – "Khabib's Legacy and the New Unbeatens" | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Cageside Press – Fighter Profile Analysis | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Reddit r/MMA – "Best Undefeated Fighter After Khabib" | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| CBS Sports – "UFC's Next Champions?" | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 8 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
SB Score
| Fighter | Record | Total Wins | Finishes (KO+SUB) | Finish % | SB Score |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov | 19–0 | 19 | 18 (8 KO, 10 SUB) | 94.7% | 0.902 |
| Ilia Topuria | 17–0 | 17 | 15 (7 KO, 8 SUB) | 88.2% | 0.803 |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | 29–0 | 29 | 19 (8 KO, 11 SUB) | 65.5% | 0.828 |
| Michael Morales | 18–0 | 18 | 14 (13 KO, 1 SUB) | 77.8% | 0.751 |
| Movsar Evloev | 19–0 | 19 | 7 (3 KO, 4 SUB) | 36.8% | 0.462 |
SB Market Index
| Rank | Fighter | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | 0.828 | 10 | 8.166 |
| 2 | Ilia Topuria | 0.803 | 9 | 7.361 |
| 3 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 0.902 | 8 | 6.580 |
| 4 | Movsar Evloev | 0.462 | 3 | 2.492 |
| 5 | Michael Morales | 0.751 | 1 | 0.950 |
Khabib Nurmagomedov: The Undisputed King of the Undefeated
It will come as very little surprise to see Khabib Nurmagomedov at the very top of the undefeated list. Retiring with a perfect record of 29-0 – among them a three-time UFC lightweight title defence – but they have also come over some of the biggest names in the business.
His mental toughness, incredible ability on the ground and his tactical dissemination of any opponent has seen his Industry Insight score soar past 10. For those wanting to ascertain perfection, his is the gold standard leading the way.
The Finishing Machine: Shavkat Rakhmonov
Another fighter with a spotless record, Rakhmonov is often associated with incredible finishes and deadly execution. Holding a 94.7% finish rate, his ability to find a finish both on the ground and through brute force has made him a fighter worth avoiding.
He currently has an Industry Insights score of just eight but given his explosive approach in the welterweight division – he is a fan favourite.
The New Champion: Ilia Topuria
The rise of Ilia Topuria within the world of combat sport has been truly spectacular. He too has a flawless record, boasting a 17-0-win streak. He is a dominant fighter who seems to take no prisoners and so has quickly become one of the most dominant on the UFC circuit.
He has an Industry Insights score of nine – an accurate reflection of an otherwise structured reign.
Conclusion on the UFC’s Perfect Warriors
As we have said, remaining undefeated in a sport – especially a combat sport – is no easy feat. While our SB Market Index holds Khabib Nurmagomedov as the eternal leader, there are certainly others who deserve as many plaudits as possible for their performances inside the squared circle.
Whether or not attaining perfection is truly possible, these fighters have come incredibly close.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.