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Elite boxers in the UFC automatically generate exciting fights. When it comes to striking, it is an essential skill that every complete fighter must possess.
Although MMA lets fighters use their legs, elbows, shoulders and feet, boxing expertise gives many fighters the advantage amongst their peers.
Even the hardcore MMA fans admit that despite the many styles of fighting the sport can showcase, the thrill of a knockout via punches is unmatched.
When you look at names like Holly Holm, Conor McGregor and others, their resumes are synonymous with boxing. There are also guys like Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal who show elite prowess as boxers.
#10. Cody Garbrandt (UFC bantamweight)
Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt is a very underrated boxer in the UFC, often reckless with his hands, but he thrives in chaos.
He showcased his best in boxing in his championship-winning performance against the bantamweight great Dominick Cruz at a time when 'The Dominator' seemed unbeatable.
Four of his last five fights have had knockouts, however, he has been on the receiving end on three occasions. But when Garbrandt has the patience to use his defense, he is still one of the best boxers on the roster.
#9. Israel Adesanya (UFC middleweight)
Israel Adesanya made a name for himself with his kickboxing background, but there is no denying 'The Last Stylebender' has an elite understanding of his skills with his hands.
The current middleweight champion is able to connect fierce combinations at an efficient rate while maintaining his distance with his long wingspan.
Israel Adesanya has had six professional boxing contests. He lost his debut and then won his next five bouts before moving away from the squared circle.
#8. Stipe Miocic (UFC heavyweight)
With 15 of his 20 wins coming by way of knockout, it would be a tragedy if Stipe Miocic didn't make this list.
Stopping names like Daniel Cormier, Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem, to name a few, Stipe Miocic has beaten the best the UFC has to offer.
The former heavyweight champion knows how to close the distance and get his opponents right where he wants them. He then uses his expert precision and power to put them to sleep.
Miocic holds the record for the most wins in title fights at six, most finishes at four, and most title defenses in a row at three, all coming in the heavyweight division.
#7. Nate Diaz (UFC welterweight)
Nate Diaz has often been regarded as one of the top boxers in the UFC for years.
He uses his length to outbox his opponents, and then takes the fight to the ground to display his prowess in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Nate is a high-volume striker, looking to chop his opponents down to size and crack their defense with relentless pressure.
Diaz also has exceptional footwork, which he uses to get the angles he desires. A combination of these factors make the Stockton native one of the best boxers in the UFC.
#6. Holly Holm (UFC women's bantamweight)
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm should be on everybody's list of top boxers in the UFC.
She has held WBC, WBA and IBF world titles in boxing. BoxRec also ranked her in the top 10 list of all-time female boxers. Holm had a boxing record of 33 wins and two losses.
She is the most decorated UFC fighter on this list to have ever graced the squared circle. She has held titles in both boxing and MMA.
#5. Petr Yan (UFC bantamweight)
It only took Petr Yan two years since his UFC debut to win the bantamweight championship.
The former champ showcased his boxing proficiency on the way to the top. His talents as a boxer culminated in a knockout against Jose Aldo to win the title at UFC 251.
Yan is on another level compared to his fellow bantamweights in terms of striking prowess. He has had four knockouts and three decisions in his career. Yan rarely lets the fight go to the ground and usually punches his way through his opponents.
#4. Conor McGregor (UFC lightweight)
Conor McGregor's only professional fight in the squared circle was against one of the best boxers in history, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Though Mayweather won the fight, McGregor showed flashes of excellent boxing skills against a man no one thought the Irishman could even hurt.
When looking at his UFC record, one thing becomes crystal clear - Conor McGregor is an elite boxer. His counter-left hook is one of the most feared punches in MMA.
The Irishman has knocked out fighters such as Eddie Alvarez, Chad Mendes and, most famously, Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win the Brazilian's featherweight belt.
#3. Jorge Masvidal (UFC welterweight)
A fighter with great hands and a good understanding of boxing, Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal is an elite striker.
Masvidal is great at multiple aspects of boxing, including punching technique, power, movement and defense.
Masvidal has only had one professional fight as a boxer, which he won. Although an elite mixed martial artist, many would love to see 'Gamebred' in the squared circle.
#2. Max Holloway (UFC featherweight)
Max 'Blessed' Holloway is one of the best boxers not just in the UFC but in all of MMA.
He is a volume puncher in a league of his own. He is the UFC's record-holder for the most significant punches landed at 2,618, miles away from second-placed Joanna Jedrzejczyk's 1,711.
His footwork is phenomenal, and he knows how to keep an aggressive pace while maintaining control of the fight. His expertise was on full display against Calvin Kattar. Holloway landed 445 significant strikes in that fight.
#1. Dustin Poirier (UFC lightweight)
Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier outclasses his opponents with his skills as a boxer. His sheer volume, power and technique make him one of the biggest knockout artists in the UFC.
He has knocked out elite strikers, such as Justin Gaethje and Conor McGregor. His only recent loss came against undefeated retired champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, where the Russian took Poirier to the ground for a submission win.
There is not much Poirier can't do with his knowledge as a boxer. 'The Diamond' combines his fight-ending power with excellent technique and defense. His relentless pressure courtesy of supreme cardio makes Dustin Poirier the best and most complete boxer in the UFC.
