There have been a lot of great strikers in the UFC over the years. Fans constantly debate over who are the best strikers in UFC history, which is why we decided to throw our views into the discussion.
Below we’ll discuss who are the greatest strikers and cover all the details of their successful careers. Keep in mind that this subject is highly subjective and controversial, so join in on the conversation in the comments section!
Table of Contents
20. TJ Dillashaw
TJ Dillashaw is one of the best technical strikers in the history of the bantamweight division. Evolving from primarily being a wrestler to a high-level striker.
TJ Dillashaw was a lifelong amateur wrestler that competed in the sport from grade school to college. After his collegiate wrestling career, TJ transitioned to MMA and went 4-0 to start his pro career.
This would get Dillashaw a spot on TUF. He would lose to John Dodson at the finals but would get into the UFC and have a twelve-year career.
TJ showcased great skills during his early UFC run, but he knew he could be better. We saw his skills elevate after he became a student under former UFC vet and striking expert Duane Ludwig.
Duane would turn TJ into a good striker from an elite striker. During this time, Dillashaw would showcase masterful striking performances that won him two world titles and the bantamweight KO record.
TJ was the normal type of wrestler who possessed knockout and evolved into an elite striker. Showcasing a blend of speed, movement, and power in a barrage of different strikes.
He would display all of this while always moving forward. You never saw a boring TJ Dillashaw fight in his thirteen-year career.
19. Matt Brown
“The Immortal” Matt Brown is a fan favorite of hardcore MMA fans. Anytime Matt stepped into the cage, we knew we could see an epic knockout at any moment.
Matt Brown started struggling as a pro fighter with a sub .500 record at 7-6. He would catch a break and earn a spot on the seventh season of TUF.
This is where UFC fans became aware of Brown and said he had much potential. Brown would also begin seeing his potential, leading him to seek the best striking coaches in the world. Training with renowned Thai boxers and even Cuba’s amateur boxing team.
When The Immortal entered the UFC, he realized the opportunity he had to fight in the world’s biggest MMA promotion. He would spend the next fifteen years of his career going to war with everyone in the welterweight division.
Matt knocked out some of the best fighters in UFC history from multiple generations of fighters. Earning a total of thirteen knockouts gives Brown the welterweight division record.
He would actually retire but come out of retirement, and at 42, is still one of the best fighters in the world. Most recently, knocking out former TUF Winner Court McGee in the first round last May.
Brown has passed around the idea of retirement, but it’s unlikely if his abilities aren’t waning.
Matt Brown has zero fear and will walk down any fighter on the planet. He’s a high-pressure fighter that throws nothing but power shots.
Not just power shots, but technical strikes with a high-level clinch game to match and good submission ability. This mix has helped Brown become a fan-favorite who’s had a long and successful career.
18. Stipe Moicic
Stipe Miocic is considered one of the MMA greats, but none really talks about his underrated striking game. His striking ability easily makes him one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
Before Stipe began fighting in MMA, he was a gifted amateur boxer. Winning multiple Golden Gloves tournaments along with being a college wrestler.
He would take his abilities from these two sports and enter MMA well-prepared. Like Francis Ngannou, Stipe would enter the UFC with six fights and TKO Joey Beltran in his debut.
Stipe would go through his ups and downs before hitting his prime after his first match with Junior dos Santos.
Going on to beat the best in the division, like Mark Hunt, Andrei Arlovski, and beating Fabricio Werdum for the title. In his first title run, Moicic would defend his title three times before losing it to Daniel Cormier.
He would then have an epic trilogy of fights with Daniel Cormier before losing the title to Francis Ngannout. Stipe is now going to challenge Jon Jones in an attempt to win his 3rd world title.
Stipe Moicic is one of the most well-rounded heavyweight fighters in MMA history. Blending his crisp boxing and wrestling ability.
Whenever Moicic would get comfortable on the feet, he picks his opponents apart. Throwing solid boxing skills after slipping in and blending in his high-level takedown game.
We can even see his defensive skills displayed in his masterful performance against Francis Ngannou in their first fight.
17. Chuck Liddell
“The Iceman” Chuck Liddell is one of the most beloved fighters in UFC history. He has long been considered one of the best UFC strikers ever. He used his deadly right hand to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and become the face of MMA.
Chuck Liddell started his career in the late 1990s, competing in bare-knuckle Vale Tudo fights. He would first enter the UFC in 1999 and fight predominantly within the company for the next 11 years.
After losing his UFC debut to Jeremy Horn, Chuck would go on a 10-fight win streak. The Iceman would have some of his biggest career wins during this streak.
This included wins over former champions Kevin Randleman, Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante, and his head-kick KO over Babalu Sobral. He would then lose his first meeting with Randy Couture and knockout Allistair Overeem before losing to Rampage Jackson in PRIDE.
Chuck’s prime would start with his first meeting against former UFC champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 41. Delivering one of the most epic knockouts of his career that would start the best run of Liddell’s career.
The Iceman would follow this KO with another KO over Vernon White to set up a rematch against Randy Couture. This time Chuck would get the better of Randy, winning by knockout and starting the era of the Iceman.
During his title reign, Chuck would defend his title four times, which were all rematches that he won by KO. It was one of the most exciting title runs in UFC history that helped make Chuck a UFC Hall of Famer.
Chuck Liddell had one of the most exciting styles in UFC history that helped bring new fans into the sport. Whenever Chuck fought, he had one goal: to knock his opponent out.
He would use a semi-long stance with his lead hand stretched out, trying to find the striking range. Once Liddell found the range, he would unleash a violent barrage of punches and kicks. Not stopping until his opponent was on the ground unconscious.
Liddell is undoubtedly one of the best UFC strikers of all time and is a no-brainer for this list. He had a massive fan base, and some of his fights had the most watched UFC PPV fights in history.
16. Max Holloway
Max “Blessed” Holloway has been a fan favorite for a number of years. They know Max Holloway is one of the best UFC strikers of all time and rush to see him fight.
Holloway wasn’t the fighter we see him as today. He came into the UFC in 2012 with a 4-0 record.
It was hard for Max early on as he would go 3-3 in his first 6 UFC fights. Losing to other great fighters like Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Max knew he was on the chopping block and needed to evolve as a fighter.
Blessed would find his fire and go on a career-best nine-fight win streak. Earning an interim title match against Anthony Pettis that he would win by TKO.
He would then take out the featherweight GOAT Jose Aldo and begin the reign of Max Holloway. His reign would last for two title defenses and a loss to Poirier in an attempt to become a double champ.
Even after losing his title to Volkanovski, Holloway is still outstriking all the other fighters in the featherweight division. Making top-rank fighters Calvin Katar and Yair Rodriguez look like amateurs.
Max Holloway is one of the best boxers in UFC history. Never having any fear of calling out his opponent to meet in the center of the ring and start throwing strikes.
He was this confident because he knew he had the defensive ability to keep himself safe. Holloway would then put on numerous epic striking displays that were some of the most exciting moments in UFC history. At just 31 years old, Max will continue to put on more beautiful, striking displays in the future.
15. Robbie Lawler
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler has recently retired and is considered by everyone as one of the best ever. Possessing a ferocious style that made for some of the best moments in UFC history.
Robbie Lawler was a natural athlete with a wrestling background when he began training under Pat Miletich. But even though Robbie was a wrestler, he idolized Mike Tyson and wanted to fight like him.
Lawler would quickly become a fan favorite when he made his UFC debut at 20 years old with a 6-0 record. He would win his first three UFC fights, which included two knockouts.
But then Lawler would go 1-3 in his next four fights and exit the promotions. During this time, he fought all over the world in different promotions knocking out various opponents.
Robbie would get his second chance in the UFC after Strikeforce was bought by the promotion. Realizing that he may never get another chance in the UFC, Lawler evolved as a fighter.
He would quickly become embraced by the fans that appreciated Lawler’s violent style. His hard work led to him winning the welterweight title and defended it twice.
During this time to the end of his career, Lawler would be part of some of the best fights in UFC history.
When “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler first entered the UFC, he would throw explosive techniques with reckless abandon. Then as he matured as a fighter, Lawler became more technical.
Being more patient and set up his techniques with solid boxing before exploding on his opponents. Unleashing a barrage of strikes that could all knock his opponent out.
14. Conor McGregor
We knew that “The Notorious” Conor McGregor was a must-add to the best UFC strikers of all time. Otherwise, we’d be hearing it from his fans. But seriously, Conor does have some of the best striking skills of any UFC fighter ever.
After years of working his way up from nothing, Conor would make his UFC debut with a 12-2 record. Entering the promotion with a big personality that would grow after every win.
Conor dropped everyone from Dustin Poirier, Diego Brandao, and Chad Mendes while also outstriking Max Holloway. These highlight reel wins make McGregor one of the biggest stars in the world.
McGregor had been calling for a title shot the minute he debuted in the UFC. Conor would get his title shot after years of calling out legend Jose Aldo.
This match would be one of the most shocking moments in MMA history as Conor won by a twelve-second knockout win. Fulfilling his dream of becoming a UFC champion.
He would then go on to have record-breaking fights with Nate Diaz and win the UFC Lightweight Championship. Then he would become an icon, having a boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather and another record-breaking bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Conor’s style can be summed up as a precision sharpshooter. He would stay in a long stance, taking the center of the cage and controlling the range.
He would throw a blend of Karate and boxing techniques at his opponent. Aiming to shut their lights up with his pistol of a left hand. When Conor is on his game, he’s easily one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
13. Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo is the original featherweight king. An MMA icon that put the 145 lb division on the map and opened the door for some of the best fighters ever.
After earning a record of 10-1 fighting in Brazil, Aldo would make his US debut for the WEC. He became one of the stars of this promotion.
During his time in the WEC, Jose beat down numerous future UFC vets. Most notably, battering Urijah Faber’s legs until they were purple at WEC 48.
After the WEC merged into the UFC, Aldo would be rewarded with the UFC Featherweight Championship.
Jose Aldo would reign as the king of the featherweight division for seven years between the UFC and WEC. He would outstrike everyone that was put in front of him.
Blasting them with a barrage of vicious Muay Thai combos. Before losing his title to McGregor, Aldo earned a 25-1 record and defended his UFC title eight times.
Jose Aldo was like a buzzsaw when he fought. He would use his superior striking and aggressive style to dominate the featherweight division for a decade.
There was no feeling out process with Aldo. Anytime he threw a strike, he meant it to land hard. Then after he wore his opponents down, Aldo would finish them with blistering strikes.
Aldo’s striking ability would help him go down as one of the best fighters of all time.
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12. Vitor Belfort
“The Phenom” Vitor Belfort has long been considered one of the best UFC strikers of all time since his debut at eighteen. He beat the best fighters in the world for three decades and earned numerous accolades along the way.
Belfort was part of the legendary Carlson Gracie Fight Team that dominated the late 1990s. At eighteen years old, Belfort would become the youngest UFC champ in history by winning the first UFC Heavyweight Tournament.
He would bounce back and forth between fighting in the UFC and Pride. Vitor would win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Randy Couture but lose it in the rematch.
His career would go into a bit of a downslope for a few years until he signed a two-fight deal with Affliction MMA. Those two fights would be highlight reel knockout wins that revitalized The Phenom’s Career.
His impressive performances at the Affliction events would lead to Vitor being invited back to the UFC. In his third run, Belfort would have some of the most memorable performances of his career.
During this third run, Belfort would earn the nickname TRT Vitor for his then-legal use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy. The extra testosterone would lead to victories over numerous former champions and earning title shots in two divisions.
Almost beating the GOAT Jon Jones after synching in an armbar. Belfort would later go on to bear Dan Henderson twice, Luke Rockhold, and Michael Bisping. He has since retired from MMA but has now taken up pro boxing and beat former champion Evander Holyfield.
If you could describe Vitor Beltfort’s style in one word, that word would be explosive. Everything that Vitor throws is to hurt or KO his opponent.
There is little to no feeling out process in a Vitor Belfort fight. Once he sees an opening, he is swarming his opponent with incredible veracity.
During his career, Vitor has scored various types of knockouts. Also, having the second most knockouts in UFC history makes Vitor an obvious choice for our best UFC strikers list.
11. Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski has made himself one of the best UFC strikers of all time through hard work. He is improving after every fight and making fans say he’s one of the best P4P fighters in the world.
Volkanovksi was originally a professional rugby player that weighed over 200 lbs. During the offseason, Alex would practice MMA when he was home.
He actually became incredibly passionate about MMA and decided to become a pro-MMA fighter. Alexander would start his MMA career at welterweight and gradually diet to get to the lower weight classes.
In his UFC debut, Volkanovski had actually fought in a lightweight bout that he won by TKO.
Going into the UFC, Vokanovski had not suffered a loss in eleven bouts and earned a record of 13-1. In the next eight years, Alex would become the undisputed king of the featherweight division. Volkanovski would drastically improve after every win. Showing a vast improvement in both grappling and striking technique.
After Volk beat Max Holloway for the title in 2019, he has not relinquished the belt. He almost became a two-division champion against Islam Makachaev, which many fans felt he won.
Alex would then follow this fight up with arguably the best performance of his career against Yair Rodriguez.
Like he’s done his entire career, Volkanovski became of the best strikers in the UFC through hard work. He is a tactician who always improves his weaknesses while looking to expose his opponent’s weaknesses.
Volkanovski has been able to shut down many fighters that are thought to have good striking. Making them look inferior and always a step behind as he systematically dismantles them.
We could see Volkanovski take another shot at the UFC lightweight title in the future.
10. Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is another fan favorite that fans have watched evolve into an elite fighter for years. Developing into one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
Dustin would make his UFC debut in 2011 after going 8-1 in lower-level promotions. During the early part of Poirier’s UFC run, he would go through numerous ups and downs.
He would pull off some great wins and then suffer a setback loss. Putting good win streaks together and then losing to opponents like Conor McGregor, Cub Swanson, and Michael Johnson.
After the loss to Michael Johnson, Dustin would turn his career around and go on the run of his career. Beating Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and Anthony Pettis to earn a shot at the vacant title.
He would win a rematch against Max Holloway, who many consider one of the best UFC strikers of all time. Poirier would later go on to have career wins over Conor McGregor, who is also considered an all-time striker. Securing his legacy as one of the best fighters ever.
Dustin Poirier has a boxing-heavy striking game that improved over years of training. Standing toe-to-toe with the world’s best fighters and coming out on top against many of them.
His punching technique is sharp, he’s never out of position, and he is confident he can stand with anyone. The Diamond also has an underrated grappling game, which gives him the confidence to keep fights standing.
When you look at Dustin’s resume and how he beat some all-time greats, he’s a must for this list.
9. Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes is the undisputed greatest female fighter of all time. No other female fighter had a reign of dominance comparable to Nunes. This run established her as one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
Starting out, Nunes would have a moderately successful pro MMA career. Fighting predominantly in Strikeforce and Invicta before getting the call to fight in the UFC.
She would win her first two fights by TKO against Cat Zingano before losing. After that loss, we would see Nunes slowly evolve into the best female fighter in the world.
From 2015 on, Amanda would work her way to becoming one of the greatest fighters ever. She would demolish Miesha Tate to win the bantamweight title and then pummel female MMA GOAT Ronda Rousey into retirement.
From the time she won the title, Nunes would break all of the female MMA records. Everything from earning the most title defenses and most finishes.
Her biggest win may have been her 145 lb title bout against longtime feared fighter Cyborg Santos. Amanda would shock the world by knocking out Cyborg in the first round and earning her second UFC title.
Her unbeaten streak would be snapped by Julianna Pena, but she’d win her title back and defend it before retiring.
The style of Amanda Nunes would develop into one of the most powerful striking games in the history of female MMA. She claims that predominantly fighting with men would help develop her patented style.
Whenever she fought women, Nunes would just overpower nearly all of them. Hitting them with powerful strikes that would drop them and lead to a finish. We wish Amanda a happy retirement and admire her for her incredible career.
8. Anthony Johnson
The late Anthony “Rumble” Johnson was one of the most feared strikers in UFC history. One of the purest athletes in the sport’s history that possessed incredible knockout power.
Anthony Johnson would debut in the UFC after just three professional. He somehow made welterweight being over 220 lb.
We saw sparks of greatness, but the weight cuts were noticeably taking a toll on Johnson’s body. They would lead to various losses, missing weight, and an exit from the UFC.
Johnson would move up to the light-heavyweight division and revitalize his career. After going undefeated in the WSOF, Rumble would come back as one of the sport’s scariest fighters.
He would knock out everyone he faced in the UFC besides Daniel Cormier in the two title fights. By the end of his second UFC run, Johnson was tied for the third most KOs in UFC history.
Rumble Johnson knocked out numerous fighters in four different weight classes. An unheard of feat that no other fighter had accomplished before.
Johnson was first known as a power striker who could knock out his opponents with strikes. As his career progressed, Anthony became more technical and developed better cardio.
He is arguably the best fighter ever to win a UFC title, and he’s incredibly missed by the fans.
7. Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje has been considered one of the best lightweight strikers in the world even before he was in the UFC. Gaethje has evolved into an elite striker as his UFC run has gone on.
Gaethje would transition to MMA after competing as a college wrestler. He was known as a wrestler but liked to knock his opponents out.
During his early MMA career, Justin would demolish all of his opponents. Most notably, winning 10 straight fights while competing in the WSOF. This streak is what would get the attention of the UFC matchmakers.
Justin was highly touted going into the UFC as a hard-nosed brawler. He would live up to this reputation and have wars with Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez, resulting in losses.
After a sit down with coach Trevor Whittman, Gaethje would decide to alter his style. Becoming a better technical striker if he ever wanted to be a UFC champion.
From the James Vick fight to winning the interim title against Tony Ferguson, Gaethje showed improved striking ability. Even after tough losses to Khabib and Oliveira, Justin is still improving his technique.
Even most recently, avenging a TKO loss against Dustin Poirier that he won by head-kick KO.
Justin Gaethje started his career as a brawler. Throwing caution to the win in order to deliver a vicious knockout win.
But he has gradually become a more technical striker and changed fans’ perceptions of him as a brawler. Setting up his power combos with his great leg kicks and keeping himself out of dangerous situations.
6. Jon Jones
Jon Jones is considered the MMA GOAT by many. But what people don’t talk about enough is Jon also being one of the best UFC Strikers of all time.
From the moment Jon Jones stepped into a cage, fight fans knew he was a generational talent. He would start his pro career and win six fights in just four months as a pro fighter.
At 21 years old, Jones was already in the UFC with a 6-0 record. Jon would quickly begin amassing a fan base that knew he was a special athlete.
Dominating everyone that the UFC through at him. The only blemish was a DQ loss against Matt Hamill, which many don’t consider a loss due to the absurd 12-6 rule.
Jones would continue taking out all of the top light heavyweight fighters. He would earn his first title shot after making quick work of TUF winner Ryan Bader.
Bones would receive his title against the legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Jon would quickly bring the fight to the champion and immediately outclass him. Winning every second of the match before stopping Rua in the third round to earn his first UFC title.
This would begin the reign of Jon Jones ruling the light heavyweight division. No matter who Jon would be challenged by, he would outclass them in every facet of the fight.
The only person that can beat Jones, as we have seen, is Jones. He is his own worst enemy and has been the cause of the long hiatuses during his career.
But when Jones was motivated, he would never be allowed to be touched, no matter how skilled his opponent. His bouts with bitter rival Daniel Cormier prove this, as Bones controlled the former UFC champ in both of their fights.
Jon has recently unretired from MMA and has now established himself as the king of the heavyweight division. After winning his second UFC title, it’s going to be interesting to see if Jones will ever be challenged.
Jones may be the most complete fighter in the history of MMA. There is no facet of the sport that he does not excel at.
In his bouts, Jon uses his long range to keep his opponents away and control the center of the cage. Throwing prodding jabs and landing his vicious oblique kick that has altered the careers of many fighters.
Any time that Jon even feels remotely threatened on his feet, he’ll take the fight to the ground on command. He’s the complete package and arguably the best there’s ever been.
5. Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou is one of the most terrifying fighters in UFC history. He has viciously knocked out many of the sport’s best fighters to become one of the most feared fighters ever.
Francis initially wanted to become a pro boxer after immigrating to France. Unfortunately, there were too many politics, but his original trainer encouraged him to try MMA.
This choice would turn out to be the correct one, as Ngannou would quickly become a top pro. After just six pro fights, Ngannous would enter the UFC. All five of his first wins came by stoppages, with five knockouts and one submission.
From the moment Francis Ngannou entered the UFC, he would get everyone’s attention. He displayed ungodly knockout power as he starched everyone in the heavyweight division.
Fans considered him the Mike Tyson of the UFC before his loss to Stipe Moicic. After a second loss to Derrick Lewis, Ngannou would improve his mental health and find himself again.
Francis would then continue his path of destruction and knockout Stipe Moicic after four straight KO wins. He would then go on to beat former teammate Ciryl Gane before leaving the UFC after a contract dispute. We now eagerly await his boxing match against Tyson Fury.
Early on in Francis’ career, his style had no real technique. He was just possessed with immense power and wasn’t afraid of using it.
As Ngannou has evolved, his technique has improved tremendously. A technical Francis Ngannou is a terrible thought for any heavyweight fighter in the sport.
He is currently working with the best boxers in the world in preparation for his boxing bout with Tyson Fury.
Derrick “The Beast” Lewis is one of the greatest knockout artists in UFC history. Lewis has pathed a path of destruction for the last decade and become the all-time UFC leader in KO wins. Here’s a breakdown of his career and why UFC is one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
Before Lewis got into MMA, he would actually get into boxing. George Foreman wanted to take him under his wing, but Derrick wanted to give MMA a shot.
Lewis wasn’t technical but possessed ungodly power that would quickly get him noticed. After going 9-2 with one no-contest, Lewis would reach the UFC in 2014.
At the beginning of Derrick Lewis’ run, he would quickly become a fan favorite. Winning three of his first five bouts by KO and gaining many fans along the way.
He would quickly become an attraction because fans knew we’d either see him win by KO or get KO’d. After losing to Shawn Jordan, Lewis would go on the best run of his career with six straight KO wins.
The Beast would go on to have many wars and more knockout wins throughout his UFC career. Winning against some of the best heavyweights in the world, from Francis Ngannou, Alexander Volkov, and Curtis Blaydes.
It’s no secret what Derrick’s game plan is whenever he goes in to fight. He looks to take his opponent out quickly, using his size and ungodly power.
At first, Derrick was just a brawler who used his size and strength. Eventually, he would begin to become more technical, both from standing and on the ground.
Even defending himself against some of the best grapplers in the world and delivering epic comeback KOs. If you’re an MMA fan, you’ll understand why The Beast was a no-brainer for our best UFC strikers list.
4. Alex Pereira
In his short MMA career, Alex Pereira has become one of the most intimidating fights in the UFC. Winning the UFC Middleweight Championship and outstriking nearly every one that’s been put in front of him. Immediately becoming among the best UFC strikers of all time.
Potan would start his pro kickboxing career in 2012, primarily in his home country of Brazil. He would make his Glory Kickboxing debut and spend the next seven years predominantly fighting within the promotion.
During that time, Pereira would work his way up the ranks knocking out numerous opponents. This includes his bitter rival Israel Adesanya, who is also one of the best UFC strikers of all time.
Alex would become a two-division champ and be considered one of the best kickboxers in the history of Glory Kickboxing.
During Perieria’s kickboxing career, he would dabble in MMA. Losing his debut in 2015 but then went undefeated until his last loss to Stylebender this year.
Fight fans knew Alex was one of the best strikers in the world before he ever stepped foot in the Octagon. Obliterating numerous opponents with his patented left hook and unreal power.
In just his 9th MMA fight, Pereira would make his mark as one of the best fighters in the world. Stopping Adesanya with a barrage of strikes to become the UFC Middleweight Champion.
Alex Pereira was already considered one of the best UFC strikers of all time before winning his title. Everything striking technique that Potan throws is technically sound and incredibly powerful.
He’s a cerebral fighter that walks his opponents down, looking to finish them. Usually, with his left hook or setting up a blitz with a powerful knee. Alex will look to use the skills as he chases his 2nd UFC title in the light-heavyweight division.
3. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been a UFC Hall of Famer since 2020 and widely considered the greatest of all time. With an undefeated win streak of 29 and 0 losses in his career, he solidified his spot as the GOAT of the sport. He’s known for his striking power that produced 19 knockouts out of 29 matches.
He made professional fighters seem like novices and never bled once in his career. In a bloody sport like UFC, where fighters frequently bathe in blood, he was practically untouchable because no one ever made him bleed or brought him close to submission.
Imagine this: In his 29 UFC fights, he only lost a single round, and that was against Conor McGregor, which he later defeated by submission.
Khabib comes from the rough mountainous Republic of Dagestan in Russia. Since the start of his professional career in the UFC in 2008, he was the first Muslim to win a UFC title. He set the pace for every fight he participated in and became an international celebrity, becoming the most-followed Russian citizen on social media.
His success wasn’t an accident. His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was a Soviet military veteran who became a coach and pushed him in martial arts from a young age. There’s this video of Khabib when he was a kid wrestling a bear. Yes, it’s real and happened when he was barely 10 years old.
Khabib started his career in martial arts by practicing wrestling and Judo. He delivered powerful blows that disoriented his opponents, and then he mauled them using various judo/sambo takedowns. There’s a famous clip of him saying, “You want to talk now?” while mauling McGregor before his win.
The only time a fighter took down Khabib was in 2013 when he was fighting Abel Trujillo. Watching his matches, it seemed like he never struggled against his opponents until he fought McGregor in 2018. He admitted that was his toughest fight. He won the first two rounds and then lost the third round. That was the first time he lost a round. He then beat McGregor to submission.
He decided to quit while he was ahead and withdrew from fighting. Khabib completely retired from the sport in January 2023 and went on to become a coach for young UFC stars like Islam Makhachev, who also originates from his region.
2. Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya is one of the best two-sport combat athletes ever. Easily making him one of the best UFC strikers of all time, who is also still in the prime of his career.
Stylebender would start his career as a pro kickboxer in 2010. He would also make his pro MMA debut in 2012. He would dabble in MMA for extra money, but Adesanya’s primary focus was kickboxing.
During his kickboxing career, Adesanya had 80 fights and won various titles, including the Glory Middleweight Championship. Israel would also win 11 straight MMA bouts during this time, all of which were KO/TKO wins.
After retiring from kickboxing competition, Stylebender put 100% of his focus on his MMA career. Starting a new journey to achieve even more success than he did in kickboxing.
Adesanya would enter the UFC as a highly touted prospect who already had the best striking in the division. Israel would prove this from the moment he debuted after knocking out Rob Wilkinson in the second round.
He would continue to prove himself and even beat the MMA GOAT Anderson Silva before winning the title. Stylebender repeatedly proved he was one of the UFC’s best fighters during his first title reign.
During his first title reign, he would establish that he was a level far above the rest of the division. Easily dismantling opponents like Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, and Marvin Vettori.
But what really cemented himself as one of the best ever was how he came back after losing his title. After three straight losses to Pereira, Stylebender would finally knock out his nemesis to become a 2x UFC champ.
When you want to know the difference between a good striker and an elite striker, see Israel Adesanya. He is a technical master that is excellent at every facet of striking.
Almost never letting his opponents control the range while staying elusive and throwing precision strikes. His ability has put him head and shoulders above the rest of the middleweight division.
Adesanya is a puzzle that is hard to crack, and he’ll continue being considered one of the best fighters on the planet.
1. Anderson Silva
When you ask fighters and fans who the best UFC strikers of all time are, the majority say the same name. Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
Silva would start his pro MMA career in 1998. Fighting around the world in some of the world’s biggest organizations during the time.
The Spider’s pre-UFC career predominantly consisted of various bouts within PRIDE and Cage Rage. He would have some highlight reel wins and some of his rare losses.
Including his reverse elbow knockout of Tony Fryklund at Cage Rage 16.
In 2006, Anderson Silva made his UFC debut against Chris Leben. Hardcore MMA fans like Joe Rogan knew Anderson would take over the middleweight division.
After battering Chris Leben, everyone knew that Silva was the best middleweight in the world. Following up this win by destroying Rich Franklin for the UFC Middleweight Championship.
The Next seven years would be the unmatched reign of The Spider. Battering everyone that was put in front of him with his superior striking skills.
Anderson probably has the best striking game of any MMA fighter in history. He was better than anyone at every facet of striking.
Silva was a master of range, precision striking, the clinch, and could knock his opponent out with any strike. Nobody was near his level for years, and everyone acknowledged this.
His style would influence countless fighters like UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. If the majority of fighters and fans consider him the best striker ever, he’s the best ever.
Conclusion:
Legendary UFC fighters like Silva, Adesanya, Khabib, and others struck fast and hard. This lead them to many victories and solidified their status as legends in the sport. This list might change with many rising stars and the increasing popularity of the UFC.