The heavyweight division is one of the most popular weight classes in the MMA world. The fighters of this division usually weigh between 206 and 265 lb. It has roots largely in many forms of wrestling and striking. The MMA world has seen many incredible heavyweight fighters but fans must sometimes wonder who is the greatest of all. So let’s have a look at 10 best and greatest heavyweights of all time.
10. Mirko Cro Cop
Mirko started his professional career in kickboxing in 1996 and found success. After this, in 2001, he entered the MMA world and fought in PRIDE for a long time. He became a tournament champion in both RIZIN and PRIDE. He has victories over some of the biggest names in the history of sport and knockout wins over the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett and Mark Coleman.
9. Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou began his MMA career in 2013 and made his UFC debut in 2015. He has an excellent MMA record of 17 wins and three losses. Most of Ngannou’s victories have come from knockouts, which shows how powerful he is. “The Predator” has wins over fighters like Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem. He is a former UFC Heavyweight champion and is currently signed with the PFL.
8. Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum began his MMA career in 2002 and fought in various promotions like PRIDE, WAFF, Jungle Fight and more. He made his UFC debut in 2007 but was ousted after being defeated by Junior Dos Santos. Somehow, “Vai Cavalo” made a comeback after moving to Strikeforce in 2009. In this promotion, his amazing MMA run began and he went 10-2. The Brazilian joined the UFC again in 2012 and won the Heavyweight title. He not only defeated big names like Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt and Travis Browne but also ended Fedor Emelianenko’s 27-fight undefeated streak.
7. Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem began his MMA career as a light heavyweight and after five years, he moved up in weight to advance. After moving up in weight, he turned from a good fighter to an all-time great. Overeem defeated some of the biggest names, like Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt. He captured titles in both Strikeforce and DREAM. Although he never became a champion in the UFC, he came extremely close at UFC 203 and became one of the greatest fighters to never win a UFC title.
6. Randy Couture
Randy Couture spent half of his MMA career fighting at light heavyweight and regularly bounced between two weight classes. “The Natural” was a three-time UFC heavyweight champion and has notable wins over names like Kevin Randleman, Gabriel Gonzaga and Tim Sylvia. His win over Sylvia is considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history because this bout was for the Heavyweight title.
5. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira began his MMA career in 1999 and had an impressive run in the heavyweight division until 2006. He lost only three bouts during that run, which were to Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko. “Minotauro” won championships both in PRIDE and the UFC. The Brazilian has wins over names like Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman and Fabricio Werdum. His most notable UFC win came in 2008 at UFC 81, when he defeated Tim Sylvia for the interim Heavyweight title.
4. Cain Velasquez
Cain began his MMA career at Strikeforce and soon moved to the UFC. He was undefeated from 2006 to 2010 and had incredible skills. He defeated fighters like Junior Dos Santos and Antonio Silva during his title reign. Although his later years saw him lose to veterans like Francis Ngannou, Velasquez’s short run at the top is still one of the best in MMA history.
3. Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier has had a tremendous MMA career and is one of the greatest fighters the heavyweight division has ever had. He is a former Strikeforce Tournament Champion and a former UFC Heavyweight champion. DC retired from the sport in 2020 with a record of 22–3–1. During his stint at Heavyweight, Cormier defeated names like Stipe Miocic, Josh Barnett and Antonio Silva.
2. Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic has a noteworthy MMA career, as he has earned victories over several former and future champions in his career. He has defeated aforementioned fighters like Daniel Cormier, Junior Dos Santos, Francis Ngannou and Alistair Overeem. The former UFC champion is not finished building his legacy. “The Silencer” is scheduled to fight Jon Jones in 2024. If Miocic defeats “Bones” by anything other than disqualification, he will be the first man in MMA history to score a victory over Jones.
1. Fedor Emelianenko
Although Fedor Emelianenko never fought in the UFC, he is still the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. During his prime, Fedor fought in PRIDE, which had the best heavyweight division at the time. In the process, he became a major champion. His 27-fight undefeated streak saw him defeat names like Mirko Cro Cop, Tim Sylvia, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Andrei Arlovski. He never fought in the UFC but has victories over seven former champions of the promotion.
Also Read: List Of 10 Must Watch MMA Fights OF 2024
