sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
The 10 greatest men's MMA fighters of the 21st century have been ranked and some huge names are missing

Home> MMA> UFC

Updated 11:41 23 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 11:33 23 Jul 2024 GMT+1

The 10 greatest men's MMA fighters of the 21st century have been ranked and some huge names are missing

The 10 greatest men's MMA fighters of the 21st century have been named and ranked.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The 10 greatest men's MMA fighters of the 21st century have been named and ranked - and some huge names are missing.

ESPN recently named the 100 best professional athletes of the 21st century, with the No.1 pick a controversial decision.

The outlet has now named and ranked the 10 greatest men's MMA fighters of the same era, leaving out some very accomplished UFC legends.

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who made five defences of the 170lbs title during his reign as champion, is ranked 10, ahead of former two-weight UFC champions BJ Penn and Randy Couture.

Advert

MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko, who never fought in the UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Demetrious Johnson are ranked sixth, fifth and fourth respectively.

Despite never stepping foot inside the famed Octagon, Emelianenko beat the likes of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman.

Former UFC lightweight king Nurmagomedov went his entire MMA career without tasting defeat, beating the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

Fedor Emelianenko during his fight against Dan Henderson. Image: Getty
Fedor Emelianenko during his fight against Dan Henderson. Image: Getty

Johnson dominated the UFC flyweight division at the peak of his powers, making eleven successful defences.

Ex-UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is ranked third, behind Georges St-Pierre, who won UFC championships in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.

According to ESPN, Jon Jones is the greatest men's MMA fighter of the 21st century.

Check out the top ten below:

First: Jon Jones

Second: Georges St-Pierre

Third: Anderson Silva

Fourth: Demetrious Johnson

Fifth: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Sixth: Fedor Emelianenko

Seventh: Randy Couture

Eighth: Chuck Liddell

Ninth: BJ Penn

Tenth: Kamaru Usman

But the likes of Daniel Cormier, who won UFC titles in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight division, and Jose Aldo have been snubbed of a spot in the top ten.

Aldo reigned over the UFC featherweight division before succumbing to McGregor.

Not to mention Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes and Max Holloway, among others.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: UFC, Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Recommended reads

Tyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGettyTyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmedGetty“I don’t fight for a country” – Michael 'Venom' Page reveals why he won’t walk out with a flag at UFC LondonGeoff Stellfox/Getty ImagesLerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Advert

Choose your content:

4 mins ago
7 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • Getty
    4 mins ago

    Dana White blasts Eddie Hearn’s UFC influence during Tom Aspinall dispute

    White and Hearn have become embroiled in a war of words since Conor Benn signed with Zuffa.

    MMA
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Joe Rogan leaks Nate Diaz's pay for Netflix MMA card and drops Conor McGregor theory

    Nate Diaz returns to MMA in May, taking on Mike Perry on the stacked Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano Netflix card.

    MMA
  • Joe Rogan Experience
    a day ago

    Joe Rogan tells Dana White to 'spice' up White House card with another title bout

    Joe Rogan wants the UFC to add another huge fight at UFC Freedom 250.

    MMA
  • Getty
    2 days ago

    Conor McGregor called out for stunning UFC rematch at 'any weight'

    Conor McGregor appears to be closing in on a return to the Octagon and is reported to have met with UFC recently.

    MMA
  • The 100 best professional athletes of the 21st century named and ranked and the No.1 pick is very controversial
  • Paddy Pimblett snubs Conor McGregor when naming his MMA 'Mount Rushmore' ahead of UFC 304
  • Dana White got into a HEATED argument with reporter over UFC pound-for-pound debate
  • UFC 1 winner Royce Gracie names his UFC Mount Rushmore