Now that the dust has settled following the Adesanya vs. Pereira fight, which saw a new middleweight champion crowned, it is an excellent time to take a step back and take stock of the seven best fighters in the world. But who are the most talented UFC fighters right now? The best Ranked UFC Fighters all aspire to be regarded as the best overall MMA fighter in the world. It isn’t easy to compare fighters from different weight classes and divisions, but some stand out above the rest. Here are seven fighters Ranked UFC Fighters we believe will continue to dominate the sport in the coming years.
1. Francis Ngannou – Ngannou is one of the most dangerous men on the planet. He’s 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, and the UFC’s heaviest hitter. After moving to France and learning to fight, Ngannou was signed by the UFC after his sixth fight. He has defeated many big names in the UFC, including Alistair Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes, and Junior dos Santos. When Ngannou challenged for the UFC heavyweight title in a rematch against Stipe Miocic in March, a super fight awaited him. In the end, it was far from a challenge for Ngannou, who dominated, beating Miocic with ease in the second round. The Ngannou era has begun.
2. Dustin Poirier – Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier continues to demonstrate why he is one of the most respected fighters in history. Poirier’s journey has shown consistency, perseverance, and a path built with grit, determination, and a lot of self-belief. Conor McGregor is a former UFC champion and double-champion who the Diamond has defeated twice, avenging the defeat in their first fight. Dustin recently defeated Michael Chandler and now has his sights set on an interim title shot.
3. Jiri Procházka – Jiri Procházka currently has the MMA world on a silver platter. Not only did the 29-year-old storm his way to the light heavyweight championship in only three UFC fights—each one ending in a stoppage and earning him at least one post-fight bonus, including the win over Glover Teixeira—but he did so while endearing himself to fans with his go-for-broke style and samurai training. That fight with Teixeira is still regarded as an instant classic and many people’s fight of the year.
4. Brandon Moreno – The Mexican has two draws in his last eight fights but was unbeaten in three and a half years before losing the flyweight title to Deiveson Figueiredo in January. Moreno won the belt in his previous contest by submitting the incredibly dangerous Brazilian after outstriking him for the better part of two rounds. Earlier this year, the pair’s trilogy fight was almost as close as their initial December 2020 draw. Moreno won the interim flyweight title by defeating Kai Kara-France in July, making a fourth fight seem inevitable.
5. Alexander Volkanovski – Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight king, has won 20 straight fights, three times over the best 145-pounder ever, Max Holloway, and hasn’t lost in eight years. So when he faces new lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and attempts to become the latest two-division king, he is expected to elevate his resume to all-time status.
6. Islam Makhachev – Makhachev made his 11th win memorable by dominating Charles Oliveira to begin a new reign at 155 pounds in the first UFC bout between fighters on win streaks of 10 or more. Critics can no longer argue about his level of competition. The more Makhachev emerges from the giant shadow cast by his head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, the more the world will recognize Makhachev’s exceptionality.
7. Amanda Nunes – The Lioness, is a role model for aspiring female MMA fighters. She’s always had the raw materials, and fans have watched her slowly hone her arsenal into a near-unstoppable force throughout her career. Finally, she came into her own and made history by knocking out Ronda Rousey in 48 seconds, followed up with a 51-second knockout of Cyborg. Nunes’ all-around game is a sight to behold as she rules the UFC’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
