Mexico has a rich history in combat sports and throughout the years it has produced some of the best boxing and MMA talents. Those fighters have not only demonstrated their incredible skills in the octagon but have also shown the determination they have for the sport. Several Mexican MMA fighters have etched their names in the history of the biggest MMA promotion, the UFC. Let’s have a look at the 10 best Mexican fighters in the history of the UFC.
10) Anthony Pettis
Anthony Pettis began his MMA career in 2007. After fighting in promotions like GFS and WEC, he finally entered the UFC in 2011. Pettis was known for his fascinating fighting style, which resulted in one of the most popular UFC strikes of all time, “The Showtime Kick.” Just after fighting four bouts in the UFC, “Showtime” got a title fight and he defeated Benson Henderson at UFC 164 via submission to win the UFC lightweight title. He retired from the sport in 2022 after fighting in the PFL.
9) Yair Rodríguez
Rodriguez began his MMA career in 2011 and has been amazing since then. He entered the UFC in 2014 and has been known for delivering fantastic strikes inside the Octagon. “El Pantera” has scored big wins over fighters like B.J. Penn, Jeremy Stephens, Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett. He defeated Emmett at UFC 284 via submission and won the interim featherweight championship.
8) Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo is one of the most incredible Mexican fighters in the UFC. He is known for holding two titles at the same time. Cejudo defeated TJ Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night 143 to hold the simultaneous UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion titles. “Triple C” is also an Olympic gold medalist. Cejudo won the wrestling gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He has defeated big names like Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz in the UFC.
7) Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz is one of the most entertaining MMA fighters. He has had an incredible career in both the UFC and Strikeforce. Nick was the Welterweight Champion in the Strikeforce. “Diablo” once fought Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title. However, he lost the fight and never became a UFC champion. Diaz received a 5-year suspension for marijuana use. This decision caused a huge backlash in the MMA community, which largely liked Nick Diaz and also found the decision to be excessive, as marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug.
6) Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest Mexican MMA fighters, having begun his career with “Rage in the Cage.” He fought in promotions like Total Combat and the WEC before entering the UFC. He became the Bantamweight champion in the WEC after defeating Brian Bowles and went on to defend his title against names like Scott Jorgensen, Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson. “The Dominator” won the bantamweight title in the UFC as well and ruled the division before being dethroned by Cody Garbrandt.
5) Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz began his MMA career in 1997 and fought Wes Albritton in his debut fight at UFC 13. In 2000, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” defeated Wanderlei Silva to win the vacant light heavyweight title and became one of the UFC’s first megastars. Ortiz defeated big names like Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin and Ken Shamrock. He retired with a record of 21 wins and 12 defeats. 10 out of his 21 wins came by knockouts.
4) Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson has a strong Mexican background and is one of the most lethal MMA fighters to ever step in the Octagon. “El Cucuy” has some of the best cardio ever seen in the sport. His aggressive striking game left many of his opponents looking like complete bloody messes after their fights. Ferguson was on a 12-fight winning streak in the UFC from 2013 to 2019. Although he has been losing all his bouts since 2020, no one can change the fact that he was once the most dominant fighter in the promotion. He once won the UFC lightweight title but was stripped due to injury.
3) Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez began his professional MMA career with the Strikeforce in 2006 and soon entered the UFC. He was known for his impressive cardio and brutal striking. “Cardio Cain” won the UFC heavyweight title after defeating Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 in 2010. However, he lost his title to Junior dos Santos. But after defeating Antonio Silva, Velasquez got a rematch against Dos Santos, which he won and got back his title. He retired with a 14-3 record and 12 of his 14 wins came by knockouts.
2) Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz is one of the most ruthless and popular MMA fighters of all time. He is the younger brother of Nick Diaz, who was also an incredible UFC fighter. While Nate is from Stockton, California, he is of Mexican heritage. Nate was known for his amazing BJJ and excellent boxing. Although Nate never won a title in the UFC, he has given impressive performances in the promotions, defeating names like Donald Cerrone, Jim Miller, Conor McGregor, and Tony Ferguson. 12 out of his 21 wins came by submission.
1) Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno is one of the most successful Mexicans in the UFC. After beginning his MMA career in 2011, Moreno fought in promotions like UWC, Xplode, Mez Sports and the World Fighting Federation. He made his UFC debut in 2016 and found great success in the octagon. However, after losing two consecutive fights, the promotion removed him. “The Assassin Baby” fought his way back into the UFC and picked up enough wins to earn a title shot. His first title fight against Deiveson Figueiredo ended in a draw. However, in the rematch, Brandon captured the UFC Flyweight title.
Also Read: 10 Most Disappointing Debuts In The History Of UFC
