5 best karate fighters in the UFC

#2. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida

UFC Fight Night: Machida vs Rockhold

Arguably the one who started it all, UFC legend Lyoto Machida is the man who proved Karate in MMA works. Before Machida, several less versatile Karate practitioners were brutalized at early UFC shows due to their lack of grappling ability. For an accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner like Machida, this was never going to be an issue.

After six months of professional wrestling training at the infamous New Japan Dojo, Machida changed lanes and moved into MMA. There, he mixed a variety of hard-hitting Shotokan Karate movements with BJJ and even Sumo to fine tune his fighting style.

Machida silenced Karate critics everywhere when he decimated Rashad Evans at UFC 98 to become light heavyweight champion. Realizing how effective Karate could be as a striking platform, many fighters took up the practise in Machida’s wake. A pioneer of the octagon, Machida’s legacy speaks for itself. He currently fights in Bellator MMA.

#1. Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre

UFC 217: Bisping v St-Pierre

Often regarded as one of the greatest welterweights of all time, Georges St-Pierre began learning Kyokushin Karate when he was seven years old. Having endured bullying at school from a very early age, GSP’s father sent him into Karate training so he could better defend himself.

By age 12, GSP had secured his 2nd dan Kyokushin Karate black belt. From there, he diversified his fighting capabilities, training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (which he eventually secured a black belt in as an adult), wrestling and boxing. Despite the vast number of disciplines under his belt, GSP’s fighting style, particularly in his earlier years, was dominated by his Karate expertise.

Through Karate, GSP adopted a wide stance in the octagon that enabled better takedown counters. It also granted him a safer distance between himself and his opponent where he could safely throw his deadly lead-leg roundhouse kicks.

One of the best to ever do it, ‘Rush’ showcased perfectly what a devastating tool Karate can be in MMA.