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Fans spending countless hours tirelessly debating about the GOAT is commonplace in every competitive sport. However, the answer to the unavoidable question is often subjective and differs depending on who you ask. The fanboys will irritably back their idols while the unbiased purists will give you a pick based on analytical breakdowns of different aspects of the sport.
Just like in Football, which is dominated by the unending back-and-forth between Messi and Ronaldo fanatics on the internet; MMA has its own legends that preponderate conversations regarding the best. MMA may be the fastest growing sport in the world but it is still young with only 30 years of documented history. Despite its relatively scanty narrative, many individuals took to the barbarous sport and redefined the paradigm of combat sports as we know it. These athletic freaks of nature not only revolutionized MMA but also helped popularize it amongst a larger audience.
Here, we take a look at those select few individuals that got into the cage with uncertainty and walked out with an established legacy. It should be noted that this is a pound for pound list with fighters from different weight classes assessed on the basis of overall skill, record, accomplishments and career longevity.
#5 Jon Jones (22-1-1)
So is Jon ‘Bones’ Jones a cheat or a junkie? He may be either one of those but beyond all complexities of his tainted persona, Bones is inarguably one of the most naturally gifted fighters in MMA history.
Bones has no glaring loopholes in his game. Crafty in his standup, vicious on the ground (black belt in Gaidojutsu) and most importantly, he fights to kill not just win. He may not be the marketable KO artist that the UFC matchmakers drool over, but his submissions and the sheer volume of strikes – a conglomeration of inventive elbows, knees, kicks, and punches – make him one of the most exciting fighters to watch. You never know what to expect with Bones’ unorthodox style but dominance is a guaranteed feature.
A student of the renowned Jackson/Wink Academy, Jones’ in-fight IQ and a superior execution of well-thought-out game plans sets him apart from his counterparts.
A prodigal talent with a penchant for giving in to his inner demons, Bones won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua when he was 23 years old, making him the youngest undisputed championship in the weight class era.
The polarizing Light Heavyweight went on to add legendary names in his successful title defenses column which included the likes of Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, and Daniel Cormier -- a resume stacked with future Hall of Famers.
He has never lost a UFC title fight, has the most wins and submissions in the Light Heavyweight history, and the longest win streak in the division. Jones has 22 wins, 1 loss (a loss considered to be a bad referee decision) and 1 no contest in his enviable record.
The god-gifted ability and lofty accomplishments, however, can’t overshadow the controversies that have plagued his career in recent years. A hit and run felony charge, failed drug tests, and unhealthy partying habits have depreciated Jones’ value in the eyes of his fans and in the MMA fraternity as a whole. The seemingly unconquerable Jones has been stripped off the title thrice and as things stand, has been given yet another opportunity to get his life and career back on track.
Time is on his side at 31 years of age but he’s already tested the patience of his fans enough to mess up again. All Jones has to do is stay out of trouble and improve on an already illustrious career.
#4 Anderson Silva (34-8-1)
In his prime, nobody could hold a candle to Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva. His facile movement, an elite display of Muay Thai with impeccable precision and timing, and the innate ability to finish off opponents from the most unimaginable of angles made Silva a once-in-a-generation talent in his heyday.
The manner in which Silva bobbed around the Octagon and lit up a host of high-level fighters with technical combinations after masterfully taunting them, made you realize how special he was. He may have had his fair share of problems against wrestlers, but he managed to overcome his wrestling shortcomings with outstanding striking and black belt level Jujitsu.
His evasive head movements and effortless body fluidity were truly on another level. He may be a shadow of himself presently but in no way does it undermine the greatness of the Brazilian genius.
The Spider is the longest reigning UFC Champion in history, having held the UFC Middleweight title for 2,457 days while also being undefeated in 16 fights spanning 7 years. He holds the record for most finishes in title fights and had ten successful title defenses until his obnoxious showboating cost him the title against Chris Weidman in 2013. The legend has not been the same ever since the ghastly leg-break in his rematch against Weidman.
His legacy took another hit when he tested positive for banned substances after his win against Nick Diaz in 2015. Thankfully, Silva has stayed off the juice in his subsequent bouts which he lost barring the most recent one against Derick Brunson which he won via unanimous decision. At 43 years old, The Spider is in the twilight of his career, so cherish him much as you can while it lasts.
#3 Demetrious Johnson (27-3-1)
Mighty Mouse doesn’t get enough credit, not from Dana White at least. The most dominant champion in MMA history may not have been able to draw the numbers but he did manage to accumulate staggering fight records along the way. Johnson was the top dog of the UFC Flyweight division since its inception and had 11 successful title defenses to his name. Johnson has frequently been called one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time by pundits and various media outlets and rightfully so.,
Johnson is the human equivalent of a Peregrine Falcon. Diminutive in stature, extremely fast and unforeseeably elusive in his movements, the Flyweight legend has the knack of dictating the rhythm and position of the fight due to his freestyle wrestling background and is the only fighter to land 10 takedowns in three separate fights.
He is as well-rounded as they come. The man can knock you out, take you to the ground for a submission or just outpoint you with sheer volume. He can slip in and out of the pocket, land a combination of strikes and constantly shoot for takedowns, all while continuously moving and evading attacks. Boasting of an overall record of 27 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, Johnson has done it all inside the Octagon irrespective of the underwhelming PPV figures.
He reigned as the king of the underappreciated Flyweight division for years until his loss to Henry Cejudo and the subsequent first-time-ever swap deal between two promotions. He went to ONE FC as the undefeated former ONE Welterweight Champion Ben Askren jumped over to the UFC as part of the switch. Sadly enough, Mighty Mouse’s exit is expected to mark the end of the Flyweight division in the UFC.
Nonetheless, Johnson is a fighter’s fighter and deservedly commands respect from the hardcore fan base, which would be hopeful of another legendary run in the Singapore-based promotion.
#2 Fedor Emelianenko (38-5-1)
Fedor Emelianenko is a synonym for intimidation, the epitome of dominance and simply put, the baddest man on the planet when in his element. Look at his mind-boggling statistics and achievements and you’d know what a beast he was in his prime.
The Last Emperor was unbeaten for 8 years in 28 fights from 2000 to 2008. The list of victims includes two Olympic medalists, four former UFC Champions, one former Pride FC Champion and three K1 Champions. It’s a testament to one’s ability when world-class fighters call you the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
Mike Tyson, Chuck Norris, Junior Dos Santos, Jose Also and Fabricio Werdum have ranked Fedor as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA. So what makes him special, you ask?
It’s simplicity at its ruthless best. The Russian juggernaut infused his exceptional Judo and Sambo techniques with the striking system of modern Mixed Martial Arts. He excelled with his heavy-handed boxing and came to be known for his merciless ground and pound, possibly his strongest facet. He moved flawlessly for a 240 lb heavyweight and wasn’t apprehensive to get into positions that were deemed unsafe.
His defense was solid which somehow complimented his relentless aggression that eventually broke his opponents. Despite his background, Emelianenko took to MMA like fish to water and fine-tuned every aspect of his game. “Very few men can claim to have Olympic alternate level judo and still able to out-strike the best kickboxer in MMA history,” said noted MMA analyst Jack Slack – a statement that says a lot about Emelianenko’s natural skill set.
However, despite being the all-conquering champion in every promotion he fought for, Emelianenko never fought in the UFC. That gives us no reason to doubt his greatness as he overcame the best heavyweights of his time outside the UFC. A watered down Emelianenko may have lost to the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva, Dan Henderson, and Matt Mitrione at the tail end of his career but that does not take away from the fact that he is the greatest Heavyweight in Mixed Martial History, period.
And guess what, you can still catch him in action for Bellator where he is one win away from becoming the Heavyweight Champion at the age of 42. Legend.
Before we move onto to the last name on this list, here are a few Honorable Mentions:
Matt Hughes, Daniel Cormier, Jose Aldo, BJ Penn, Dan Henderson, Randy Couture
#1 Georges St. Pierre (26-2)
You may not find a fighter who puts himself through inhumane levels of training and has gotten the rightful dividends for all the effort as Georges St. Pierre. The Candian sensation's track record speaks for itself. He is a three-time UFC Champion (2-time Welterweight, 1-time Middleweight), has the most successful title defenses (13) and the second longest combined UFC title reign at 2,204 days.
GSP is an athlete of the highest caliber who has black belts in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Gaidojitsu, Shidukon and Kyokushin Karate. The former Welterweight Champion is often criticized for being a boring fighter, in other words, a points-based five-round fighter. He has the most wins by decision in UFC history (12) and is noted for his exorbitant cardio. Don't confuse him for a one-dimensional fighter though as GSP may be the most intelligent man to have ever stepped foot inside the Octagon.
He understands the intricacies of judging and has used them to his advantage in most of his fights. He has the most takedowns in UFC history (90) and knows exactly how it all factors in the final score. If GSP wants you on the ground, you have no option but to oblige. Then again, he ain't no slouch while standing up either.
GSP can stand and bang with the best of them. He has the tendency to find loopholes in one's game and exploit them to to the core. "He can punch against a grappler, kick against a Puncher, and grapple against a kicker" -- GSP's strategy and style perfectly encapsulated by a fight enthusiast. GSP can do it all and principally, does it at the right moment.
His versatility is his biggest asset which was highlighted by GSP's head coach Firas Zahabi on Joe Rogan's podcast. Zahabi stated that GSP never makes the same mistake twice and has a bag of tricks to outsmart his opponents. It makes complete sense as GSP bounced back from the only two losses in his career and beat both Matt Serra and Matt Hughes in title rematches. That's what makes a bonafide legend.
The 37-year-old even returned after a four-year hiatus and won the Middleweight Championship from Michael Bisping. Ring rust? Not in GSP's case. However, he didn't want to hold up the division and vacated the title a month later due to medical complications. Take notes Conor McGregor.
What makes Rush even more special is his clean-cut persona. He is more or less the antithesis of Jon Jones and is what a true professional looks like, both in and out of the Octagon. An immensely likeable and well-informed human being, GSP is a bonafide Champion, legend and role model. The GOAT.
