Top 10 MMA Fighters of the 21st Century

Top 10 MMA Fighters of the 21st Century

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has grown immensely in the 21st century, showcasing some of the most incredible fighters in the sport’s history. From explosive knockouts to thrilling submissions, these athletes have captivated fans worldwide with their skill, determination, and athleticism. In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 MMA fighters who have made a significant impact in the 21st century. Each of these fighters has left a lasting mark on the sport, demonstrating what it means to be at the top of the MMA world.

1. Jon Jones

UFC president Dana White considers Jones the greatest mixed martial artist ever. Despite the sport’s narrow margins between win and loss, Jones went 16 years without being defeated (his only “loss” was a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009). After becoming the youngest UFC champion in 2011, Jones dominated many Hall of Fame fighters over the next four years, including Daniel Cormier, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort, and Rashad Evans. He not only defeated them but did so by exploiting their strengths and then overpowering them. His record and achievements speak for themselves.

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2. Georges St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre was a key figure in the evolution of UFC from its early days to its modern era. Between 2006 and 2013, he was nearly unbeatable, winning 14 out of 15 fights, including 12 title matches. At one point, he won 33 rounds in a row. His success sparked a huge interest in UFC in Canada and made him a global star. Known for his advanced fighting style that combined many techniques, he also stood out as a strong critic of performance-enhancing drugs during his time.

3. Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is considered one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history. His UFC career, which lasted from 2006 to 2020, was marked by exceptional achievements. Silva won the UFC title in just his second fight in the Octagon in 2006 and enjoyed a remarkable career, holding an unbeaten UFC record for seven years. His remarkable performances included:

Rich Franklin: Defeated with knee strikes

Forrest Griffin: Knocked out with a jab

Chael Sonnen: Submitted in the fifth round of a fight he was losing

Vitor Belfort: Knocked out with a front kick

Silva’s dominance and impressive victories during his long reign as middleweight champion made him a legendary figure in the sport. He is also one of the most cherished figures in MMA.

4. Demetrious Johnson

Even though Johnson hasn’t fought in the UFC for nearly seven years, his name is still well-known in UFC history. He is considered one of the fastest MMA fighters ever, combining excellent wrestling and striking skills. His dominance as the UFC flyweight champion from 2012 to 2018 was so significant that the UFC thought about ending the flyweight division. They sent him to One Championship, assuming his best years were over, but they were wrong. “Mighty Mouse” is still performing at a high level, and at 37 years old, he remains a top fighter and the current flyweight champion in One Championship.

5. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov was a unique fighter who ended his career with a perfect record of 29-0. He retired abruptly in October 2020 at age 32, citing a promise to his mother after the death of his father and coach from COVID-19 complications. Despite the UFC’s efforts to bring him back, Nurmagomedov chose to focus on coaching, including working with current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Nurmagomedov’s fighting style was quite traditional, relying heavily on wrestling. He focused on takedowns, pressuring opponents to the cage, and then taking them down. Once on the ground, he would trap his opponent’s legs to minimize their chance of escape and either finish the fight or control it until the end. Out of his 29 wins, 19 came by submission or knockout. He was a dominant force in the octagon.

6. Fedor Emelianenko

The Original GOAT

During the early 2000s, when Pride Fighting Championship was at its peak, Emelianenko was considered the best in mixed martial arts. He was known for his unbeatable record, defeating top fighters from around the world in various disciplines. Notable victories included fights against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Mirko Cro Cop, and Mark Hunt. Although UFC and Dana White tried to make a deal with him, it never happened. Emelianenko’s legendary status during his peak years remains a significant part of MMA history.

7. Randy Couture

Randy Couture might not be as familiar to newer fans, but he is undeniably one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Known as “The Natural,” he had a remarkable 14-year career, mostly in title fights. He was the first standout heavyweight in MMA, famous for his strong Greco-Roman wrestling skills which allowed him to control opponents and deliver powerful strikes. Couture’s most notable achievements came between 2000 and 2004, when he won both the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles. His epic battles with Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell were key moments during a pivotal time for the UFC in the U.S.

8. Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell stood out not just because of his distinctive mohawk and Fu Manchu, but also due to his aggressive fighting style. His nonstop punches often left opponents dazed and ended in dramatic celebrations. Beyond his fighting skills, Liddell played a key role in the UFC’s history. He coached alongside Randy Couture on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” a show that helped save the UFC from financial trouble.

Liddell’s television appearances also contributed to his rise as MMA’s first crossover star. He made a memorable guest appearance on HBO’s “Entourage” and did surprisingly well on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” showing a different side from his fierce Octagon persona.

9. BJ Penn

Penn’s legacy has two major parts. He was once widely regarded as the best lightweight fighter ever, until Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 29-0 record came along. More than that, Penn was a pioneer in fighting outside his usual weight class. With his natural fighting skills and Hawaiian spirit, he often faced larger opponents early in his career. A notable match was in 2005 in Japan, where he fought against Lyoto Machida, who weighed 225 pounds and later became a UFC light heavyweight champion. By the peak of his career in 2009, Penn was considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

10. Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman had a remarkable run from 2018 to 2021, coming close to surpassing Georges St-Pierre as the best welterweight in UFC history. During this period, Usman evolved from a wrestler into a top mixed martial artist. He won the welterweight title by beating Tyron Woodley and remained dominant in his reign with impressive wins over Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Gilbert Burns. Usman reached the top spot as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings and still has a chance to further enhance his legacy.

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