During the 90s, the world saw a massive surge of fighters from various backgrounds exploring a mixed form of martial arts, sparking what we know today as Mixed Martial Arts. Since then, MMA has become a popular spectator sport, with organisations like the UFC hosting competitive fights each season, with one fighter holding the title as the best in the world.
Everybody loves betting on the legends, but it’s always best to know your odds. To stay up to date with the latest MMA odds, you can check out Neds for all you need to know.
How has MMA grown over the years?
Around 300 million people worldwide consider themselves fans of MMA, showing their tremendous support for the sport. As mentioned above, MMA gained traction in the 90s, but it wasn’t until 1993 that the Ultimate Fighting Championship was established, which propelled the sport into the limelight.
From 93 to 2001, the UFC held competitions and grew gradually in support. But in 2001, Dana White bought over the brand and made some key changes that led the sport into what it is today. They focused on promoting fighters and creating a brand out of the sport, reaching more and more people as their brand grew.
The top 7 MMA fighters of all time
So, as we get ready to make some bets, let’s check out some of the best MMA fighters of all time.
Jose Aldo
Winning 18 consecutive fights from 2006 to 2014, Jose Aldo from Brazil has made a place for himself among the greats. Having won the WEC featherweight championship with a TKO of Mike Thomas Brown and having defended the belt twice before being named UFC champ, he’s clearly one of the best fighters of all time. He even defended his title another seven times before coming up against McGregor in 2014.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
With his 29-0 consecutive win record, there’s no need to wonder why Nurmagomedov has a spot on this list. With his natural ability and relentless fighting style, the Eagle had some impressive victories over Rafael dos Anjos, Dustin Poirier, and McGregor.
Demetrious Johnson
Johnson's break came when he dropped to flyweight, pulling off a 16-1-1 record. For a significant portion of his career, Johnson was considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Eventually, he became the UFC flyweight champion, successfully defending the title 11 times. Being dubbed the “Might Mouse” in his match against Henry Cejudo, he continued to demonstrate his ability, winning the flyweight grand prix tournament.
Fedor Emelianenko
For many years, Fedor Emelianenko was the fighter to beat in the heavyweight division. From 2001 to 2009, He Won 27 Consecutive Fights and held the PRIDE heavyweight title, besting some of the top fighters in the division and the world, but unfortunately, his reign ended when he was bested by Fabricio Werdum.
Georges St-Pierre (GSP)
There’s no arguing about it: Georges St-Pierre (known by his initials GSP) is hands down the greatest welterweight champion of all time. GSP is famous for winning the title twice and making nine successful title defences against some of the best fighters in the world. During his whole professional career, GSP only lost twice, once to Serra and the other to Hughes.
Anderson Silva
Another legendary MMA fighter who rightfully holds his place as one of the all-time bests is Anderson Silva. This Brazilian fighter, also known as Spiderman, achieved 17 consecutive wins and 10 successful title defences in his career and he had success in the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions, peaking in both by knocking out the likes of James Irvin, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
Jon Jones
Solidifying a place for himself at the top, Jones took the Heavyweight crown from Ciryl Gane. But what's this fight? It was such a spectacle, and it was more about how easily he took it than the title itself. Despite having the title removed after legal allegations involving a failed drug test, Jones’s fighting ability is questioned by none, with home holding the respect and status of other fighters at his level.
Final Thoughts
As the seasons come and go, we’ll undoubtedly see more fighters added to the list of all-time greats. Until that day, we hope you enjoyed reminiscing about some of the best fighters seen in the MMA sport.
