Former UFC

fighter Suman Mokhtarian has broken his silence after police shut down a major MMA event in Sydney, fearing he could be assassinated if he attended. The shocking move, triggered by intelligence about a gangland hit, has thrown Australia’s fight scene into chaos and left fighters and promoters reeling.

Mokhtarian Responds: “Why Wasn’t I Notified?”

The Former UFC Fighter Questions Why Police Never Contacted Him

Despite being at the center of the storm, Mokhtarian claims he was never contacted directly by authorities about the potential threat. In an interview with 9 News, he questioned the logic behind the cancellation: “If I was a target, why wouldn’t I be notified?”

The 32-year-old former fighter, who appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 27, has since transitioned into coaching and running Australian Top Team. He expressed willingness to step away from the event so his fighters could still compete, but the event was scrapped entirely.

Promoter Andrew Delmas criticized the last-minute decision, saying months of work had been undone. Fighters, staff, and vendors had all invested in the event, which now leaves many of them out of pocket.

Adding to the controversy is Mokhtarian’s brother, Ashkan, also a former UFC fighter, who remains behind bars on serious drug charges following his 2023 arrest. While police have not directly linked the brothers’ backgrounds to the recent threats, the connections have fueled speculation about underworld ties within the local MMA scene.

Police Halt Event Over Gangland Hit Fears

Mokhtarian Was Previously Targeted By A Hitman

The Dark Matter Fighting Championship (DMFC), set for April 19, 2025, at the William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm, was abruptly canceled following warnings from New South Wales Police. Authorities feared the event could become the site of a targeted assassination attempt on Mokhtarian, who now works as a coach and gym owner.

The threat stems from a February 2024 incident where Mokhtarian narrowly escaped a shooting outside his gym in Wentworthville. The alleged attacker, disguised as a delivery driver, fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested and charged with attempted murder—yet remains out on bail.

Radio host Ben Fordham revealed police intelligence pointed to a credible threat if Mokhtarian were to appear at the event, prompting their intervention. NSW Premier Chris Minns backed the decision, stating public safety must come first: “We need to make sure that when [police] believe there’s a threat to the community, they can take sometimes drastic action.”

Summary

• Ilia Topuria was promised a title shot against Islam Makhachev.
• The UFC may shift away from the promised title shot.
• Makhachev vs. Topuria might not be the next lightweight title fight.

Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria

was a fight that many fans thought was a done deal once it was announced that Topuria would be vacating the UFC Featherweight Championship. Topuria thought the same thing when he moved up to lightweight, but unfortunately for him, that fight could be in jeopardy.

Ilia Topuria Was Promised A Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

Topuria Has Revealed the UFC Told Him He Was the Next Challenger

Topuria did what no fighter was ever forced to do before, as he was stripped of the UFC Featherweight Championship in hopes of a fight with Makhachev. However, it wasn’t just hope, as at WOW 17, Topuria revealed that the UFC promised him a shot at the lightweight title. It was even reported by Ariel Helwani that the fight was all but confirmed, but now it seems that those plans could change.

The original announcement was that Topuria decided to vacate the title, but now it’s been rumored that it was a requirement if he wanted the Makhachev fight. Despite that, doubt and speculation have continued to rise as Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and most recently Justin Gaethje have been named in the title picture.

It’s unknown whether Ilia is telling the truth about whether he was 100% guaranteed a shot, but considering that the UFC and Dana White have been borderline silent on the matter, there’s no reason to believe that he’s lying. With the recent rumors about Gaethje, though, Makhachev vs Topuria might not be happening next after all.

Islam Makhachev Vs Ilia Topuria Might Not Be Next Fight For Lightweight Title

The UFC May Shift Away From the Promised Title Shot

There is a chance that the UFC decides not to book Makhachev vs Topuria as the next UFC Lightweight Championship fight. This would certainly be the wrong decision, as Islam vs Ilia could arguably be the second most bought PPV in UFC history.

Rumors about Oliveira vs Topuria and Makhachev vs Gaethje have circled, though neither of those fights would make sense over Makhachev vs Topuria. It’s understandable why some fans would want to see Topuria get tested at 155 first, but back-to-back finishes over two of the top three featherweights of all time is enough to know that Ilia is one of the best fighters in the world.

Summary

• Dana White partners with Meta AI for new UFC rankings.
• White has been critical of current rankings, seeks change.
• Fans mock White over belief rankings shift due to Jon Jones.

Over the past year, UFC President Dana White

has been highly critical of the fighter rankings, stating on numerous occasions that he believes they are flawed and inaccurate. He announced that he would eventually be partnering with Mark Zuckerberg to create rankings generated by Meta AI, and that partnership has now begun.

Dana White Partners With Mark Zuckerberg For UFC Rankings

The UFC Will Now Use AI For Their Rankings

The UFC will now be getting their rankings generated by Meta AI, which was founded by Mark Zuckerberg. This was an idea that Dana has had for months, and certainly makes sense given how the world is shifting into AI becoming its main reliance. White has been so against the current fight rankings, that the words ‘Thank God’ were said when he announced the new Meta AI system.

It’s unknown what the metric for these new fighter rankings will be, but it’s clear that the UFC President is not a fan of the current metric. White has constantly stated he believes that legacy should be taken into account much more than it is in the current rankings, which will be the main change that fans should expect.

Did Dana White Turn To AI Purely Because Of Jon Jones?

Following this announcement, many UFC fans have critiqued this shift, even though it’s not a stretch to say that the current rankings are flawed. However, the reason why fans have mocked White for this change is not due to his use of AI, but instead because they believe Dana didn’t like the old rankings simply because Jon Jones wasn’t listed as the #1 PFP UFC fighter in the world.

Ever since Jones won the UFC Heavyweight Championship, fans have accused Dana of ‘glazing’ him as he has labeled Jon as the best fighter in the world, even though Islam Makhachev has clearly taken that throne. Throughout 2024, there were multiple clips of the UFC President claiming that no one other than Jones should be ranked #1 pound for pound.

Following Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship defense at UFC 311, White finally changed his mind, stating that he is content with Islam holding the #1 PFP spot. Despite that, many are still clowning on Dana for this new decision, as they believe that the rankings system is being changed for only one reason.

The UFC

kicked off 2025 with a bang, delivering thrilling fights and unforgettable moments. UFC 311 saw Lightweight Champion Islam

Makhachev dominate Renato Moicano
with a first-round submission, solidifying his grip on the division. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili retained his Bantamweight title after a hard-fought decision against Umar Nurmagomedov.

UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov also turned heads, as Nassourdine Imavov shocked the world

by defeating former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in a stunning upset
. As the year unfolds, the UFC schedule continues to pack major events featuring top contenders and rising stars.

UFC 2025 So Far

• Dricus Du Plessis dominated Sean Strickland to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship by unanimous decision at UFC 312.
• Magomed Ankalaev stunned Alex Pereira to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with a hard-fought decision win at UFC 313.
• Song Yadong defeated Henry Cejudo via technical decision after an eye poke ends the fight early at UFC Fight Night in Seattle.

​In a series of recent UFC events, several champions successfully defended their titles, while others saw new contenders emerge. At UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, on February 9, 2025, Dricus Du Plessis retained his Middleweight Championship by defeating Sean Strickland via unanimous decision, with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. On the same card, Zhang Weili defended her Women’s Strawweight Championship against Tatiana Suarez, showcasing her dominance in the division. A week later, at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, Jared Cannonier secured a swift victory over Gregory Rodrigues with a TKO just 21 seconds into the fourth round. In Seattle, on February 22, Song Yadong triumphed over Henry Cejudo by technical decision after an accidental eye poke halted the bout, leading to scorecards reading 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 in Yadong’s favor. ​

March brought further shifts in the UFC landscape. At UFC 313 in Las Vegas on March 8,

Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira
to claim the Light Heavyweight Championship, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47. Later that month, on March 22 in London, Sean Brady submitted Leon Edwards in the fourth round via guillotine choke, marking a significant victory in the welterweight division. Concluding the month, on March 29 in Mexico City, Brandon Moreno outpointed Steve Erceg, earning a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 49-46, reaffirming his position among the flyweight elite.

UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes

Ilia Topuria Vacated The Title

• Date: April 12, 2025
• Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida

A UFC Featherweight Championship clash for the vacant title is set to headline the event, featuring former champion Alexander Volkanovski taking on rising contender Diego Lopes, following Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate the belt and move up to lightweight.

In the co-main event, Michael Chandler is slated to face Paddy Pimblett in a high-stakes five-round lightweight showdown.

Although a UFC Flyweight title fight between champion Alexandre Pantoja and former interim challenger Kai Kara-France was rumored for the card, the matchup ultimately did not come together.

UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates

An Incredible Fight Night Headliner

• Date: April 26, 2025
• Location: Kansas City, Missouri

A light heavyweight showdown between former champion Jamahal Hill and top contender Khalil Rountree Jr. was originally slated to headline the event, but the bout was scrapped once again after Hill withdrew due to a lingering leg injury.

In a twist that may excite fans even more, a welterweight clash between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates is now expected to headline the card, with Garry stepping up on short notice to reinforce his reputation as a throwback fighter who welcomes any challenge.

The event also features several intriguing matchups, including Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang, Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama at featherweight, and a middleweight bout between Michel Pereira and Abusupiyan Magomedov.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo

The Headliners Are Looking To Return To Title Contention

• Date: May 3, 2025
• Location: Des Moines, Iowa

A bantamweight main event between former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen and former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is expected to headline the card, promising a high-stakes clash between two elite finishers.

In a surprising twist, UFC veteran and BKFC standout Jeremy Stephens is set to make his return to the Octagon, taking on Mason Jones in a must-watch matchup.

UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena Is On A Hot Streak

• Date: May 10, 2025​
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada​

UFC 315 is set to feature a welterweight title bout between reigning champion Belal Muhammad and challenger Jack Della Maddalena, marking Muhammad’s first title defense since capturing the belt.

​

In the co-main event, two-time women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will defend her title against top contender Manon Fiorot, promising an exciting clash in the women’s flyweight division.

UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2

Will Suga Sean Get Revenge?

• Date: June 7, 2025
• Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 will feature two high-stakes title fights. The main event is a bantamweight championship rematch between current champion Merab Dvalishvili and former titleholder Sean O’Malley, less than a year after their first clash at UFC 306. In that bout, Dvalishvili dominated with his relentless wrestling and cardio, earning a unanimous decision to claim the belt. Since then, he successfully defended the title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January. O’Malley, meanwhile, has not competed since undergoing hip surgery following his loss but aims to reclaim the belt and avenge his defeat.

The co-main event will see women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña defend her title against Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion Kayla Harrison. Peña regained the belt in October 2024 with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Harrison has been on a meteoric rise since joining the UFC, securing dominant wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira.

Additional fights on the card include:

• Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Mario Bautista
• Flyweight: Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs. Joshua Van
• Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev
• Light Heavyweight: Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov

UFC 317: Jones vs Aspinall (Unconfirmed)

Dana White Insists It Will Happen

• Date: June 28, 2025
• Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

UFC 317 is expected to be headlined by a monumental heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones, the reigning undisputed champion, and Tom Aspinall, the interim titleholder. This clash, rumored to take place during International Fight Week, has been described as one of the biggest fights in UFC history.

What Else To Expect In 2025

McGregor’s Return Is Still Unconfirmed

Conor McGregor recently made headlines with a mix of revelations about his fighting future, political ambitions, and a notable decision to turn down a fight offer. The former two-division UFC champion admitted he declined a proposed bout at the iconic Alcatraz venue, citing concerns over the deal not matching his worth as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

While McGregor has expressed satisfaction with his MMA legacy, he remains adamant about returning to the octagon in 2025.

Summary

• Nassourdine Imavov moves to #1 in middleweight rankings after UFC 312.
• Khamzat Chimaev ranked at #3 despite Dana White confirming his title shot.
• Potential title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Chimaev highly anticipated.

Dricus du Plessis successfully retained his UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 312 against Sean Strickland. Following this huge PPV win, the UFC middleweight rankings have been updated, and a potential title fight against Khamzat Chimaev

might not be what’s next.

Nassourdine Imavov Moves Up To Number One In Rankings

Khamzat Chimaev Sits Behind Imavov And Strickland At Middleweight

• Imavov is on a four-fight winning streak.
• His recent victories include wins over Brendan Allen and Jared Cannonier.
• He earned a Performance of the Night after defeating Israel Adesanya.

Instead of Khamzat Chimaev moving up to number one in the middleweight rankings, that ended up happening to Nassourdine Imavov instead. Imavov is coming off a recent round two knockout win over UFC legend Israel Adesanya, as he was able to dominate the former champion on the feet. However, this decision has been met with criticism as many believe that Chimaev should get the next title shot.

Chimaev is still ranked at number three behind Sean Strickland, which is something that is also controversial. Strickland may have just fought for the UFC Middleweight Championship, though it was a dominating performance by DDP, and should likely have resulted in Sean being moved down somewhat further.

In his last fight at UFC 308, Chimaev was able to defeat Robert Whittaker, someone who is also a legend in the division, via first round submission. Although Adesanya was ranked higher than Whittaker before each of their fights, the common belief is that Khamzat’s win was more impressive given Izzy’s two-fight losing streak.

Dana White Previously Stated Khamzat Chimaev Is Next

The UFC President Has Historically Not Been A Fan Of the Rankings

• As of April, the UFC CEO is yet to confirm du Plessis’ next title shot.

At the UFC 312 pre-show press conference, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Khamzat is ‘in line’ for a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity. With this being the case, it is now unknown which direction the UFC will take in terms of who gets the next shot at du Plessis.

White has previously been highly critical of the UFC rankings on many occasions, so there’s a high chance that he disagrees with this decision. Since the UFC President has already stated that Chimaev will be getting a title shot following du Plessis vs Strickland, that is still the fight that most fans are expecting to happen despite Imavov moving up in the rankings, though many are now doubtful.

If du Plessis vs Chimaev is Khamzat’s next fight, then it will be one of the most competitive and skilled bouts in middleweight history. There has been a lot of conversation about who would win that potential fight, and it’s certainly a highly-anticipated bout.

Dana White Confident Khamzat Chimaev Will Fight in the U.S.

The UFC Star Eyes 2025 Title Run

Khamzat Chimaev has faced ongoing visa issues that have limited his UFC appearances to events in the Middle East, but UFC President Dana White offered an optimistic update during a recent post-fight press conference. White dismissed concerns about Chimaev’s U.S. entry, hinting at a possible matchup against the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland. With a renewed push for the 185-pound title in 2025, Chimaev’s prospects of competing stateside may also benefit from Donald Trump’s re-election, given his longstanding relationship with both White and the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev’s visa challenges have been a topic of considerable discussion within the MMA community. Reports suggest that his close association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for human rights abuses, may have contributed to difficulties in obtaining a U.S. visa. Chimaev himself has offered varying accounts; in an interview with CBS Sports, he dismissed claims of visa issues, attributing his absence from U.S. events to health concerns and logistical preferences. However, in a separate instance, he hinted that political factors might be at play, expressing hope that changes in U.S. leadership could facilitate his return to fighting stateside.

Some call grappling the great equalizer in mixed martial arts. There are many fighters who have made a great career for themselves by grappling opponents into submission, and many have had their careers cut short due to their inability to grapple with the best in the world.

This list doesn’t reflect the lack of skill of these four UFC

fighters from the past and present, but it reflects their longevity and commitment to challenging themselves as martial artists.

4

Molly McCann

4 Total Submission Losses In Her UFC Career

McCann is the youngest fighter on this list, but she is no longer part of the UFC. After her most recent submission loss to Alexia Thainara in March 2025, McCann announced her retirement from MMA in emotional fashion in front of the crowd in her home country of England.

The lack of skills was always evident when watching McCann in the octagon, but it was overshadowed by the impressive improvements she had made from debuting in the UFC back in 2018, to when she made her rise to the rankings in 2022. Her fighting style was always so much fun to watch, with her brawling and interacting with the fans in attendance.

Much like the others on the list, McCann had a massive hole in her skills. She struggled against the more well-versed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners whom she met in the octagon. This hole led to her ultimate struggles in not getting over the hump into title contention.

Even though she was not an all-time great or world champion, the impact she has on young girls all over the world, especially in her own community, will measure her career success.

3

Michael Johnson

5 Total Submission Losses In His UFC Career

Johnson is the only currently active fighter on this list in 2025. He has had an up-and-down career, but still proves to be able to beat some of the best fighters in the world and remain on the UFC roster. With 5 total submission losses on his record, it’s clear to see that he has a glaring hole in his game that has kept him from becoming a world champion.

He was a collegiate wrestler at the JUCO level, and has shown his athleticism and wrestling skills throughout his MMA career. The only issue is that his wrestling skills have not translated into elite technical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills to fend off some of the best submission grapplers on the roster.

It’s no secret that Johnson’s bread and butter is his striking abilities, as he sits in the top 5 of the UFC record books for most striking numbers, but he struggles against aggressive grappling opponents. Even outside the UFC, his first four losses as a professional came by way of submission.

His 30+ fight UFC career has allowed Johnson to have a very successful career, even though he has suffered his fair share of submission losses. These losses can be a sign of weakness in his skills, but they are more so a sign of his longevity and ability to compete after many years in a brutal sport.

2

Joanne Wood

5 Total Submission Losses In Her UFC Career

Wood is a retired UFC fighter who had a kickboxing background before shifting her focus to MMA. Even though there have been some great kickboxers who succeed in the UFC, many struggle after they get into MMA later in their careers. There is a large skill gap in the grappling department in that group of athletes. She struggled against lifelong grapplers like Jessica Andrade, Jennifer Maia, Taila Santos, and Alexa Grasso.

Even though Wood holds the record for most submission losses for women in the UFC, she made it to the top of the sport and competed against just about everybody who ever became a top contender in the women’s flyweight and strawweight divisions. She was also able to retire on her terms, something that is rare for MMA fighters around the world.

Wood has the record for the most significant strikes landed in UFC women’s flyweight history, proving that even though a fighter is very skilled on the feet, it’s almost impossible to become world champion without elite grappling skills. Her greatness will be measured by the impact she had on the sport, not by her submission losses.

1

Clay Guida

8 Total Submission Losses In His UFC Career

Even though Guida was released by the UFC at the start of 2025, he will always be remembered for his unique personality and massive heart he displayed in the cage. After being the inaugural Strikeforce lightweight champion, Guida went on to fight 37 times in the UFC.

By the end of his career with the company, Guida went on to have the most losses in UFC history (19) while also having the most control time in UFC lightweight history. His up-and-down career shows how his passion for the sport and work ethic played a huge part in his life. He kept competing and proving why he deserved to be on the biggest stage in MMA.

The downfall of Guida was his defensive grappling. Even though he was a very good wrestler, his skills needed him to be the aggressor at all times to succeed. After getting submitted for the eighth time in the UFC at the end of 2024, the UFC decided to part ways with the 43-year-old lightweight.

Even after a tough championship loss to start 2025, Alex Pereira

is still considered one of the faces of the UFC

. His career path is as unique as any, coming into the UFC at 34 years old and fighting 11 times against the best in the world in just over 3 years. He deserves all the praise in the world, so let’s go through his best performances in the UFC so far.

10

UFC 313: Pereira Vs. Ankalaev

Loss By Unanimous Decision

• In his 7th UFC title fight, Pereira suffered his first defeat in the light heavyweight division.
• The wrestling and pressure fighting from Ankalaev was just too much.
• The judges gave the challenger the nod on the scorecards.

This is a strange addition to the “best performances” list because it is a loss, but Pereira has only had 11 total UFC fights, and he also fought pretty well against a brand-new challenge. Many experts and fight fans around the world expected Pereira to have a very hard time with Ankalaev’s wrestling. It turns out that Pereira did very well with his wrestling defense.

Even though he lost on the scorecards, Pereira stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts and was the more efficient striker out of the two over the 5 rounds. This proves that he can compete with the wrestlers of the division, and even beat Ankalaev in their rematch. The fans still love him and want to see his exciting fight style much more than the current champion.

9

UFC Fight Night: Pereira Vs. Silva

Won By Unanimous Decision

• In his second UFC fight, Pereira was tested by a durable, dangerous veteran middleweight who can grapple and brawl in the cage.
• Pereira passed and dominated, winning by unanimous decision over Bruno Silva.

Pereira’s next step up in his fast-track to a title fight was against Bruno Silva in 2022, interestingly enough, on the undercard of a Fight Night event headlined by Ankalaev.

Silva was a perfect step-up to see if Pereira had what it took to take on a ranked contender in his next fight. Even though Silva took Pereira’s shots and tested the then-future champion, Pereira landed double the significant strikes and hurt Silva multiple times, en route to a unanimous decision win.

8

UFC 268: Pereira Vs. Michailidas

Won By Second Round KO

• In Pereira’s UFC debut, the pretty unknown world champion kickboxer turned heads with a highlight reel flying knee KO in the second round.
• This fight took place on the prelims of a massive UFC 268 card at Madison Square Garden.

Sometimes, Dana White proves why he is the best MMA promoter ever. This is the perfect debut for a potential superstar and new blood for the dominant champ, Israel Adesanya. On one of the biggest cards of the year, in Madison Square Garden, Pereira made his debut and showed off his dangerous skills.

After a feeling-out process and possibly some nerves in the first round, Pereira found the shot he was looking for and landed a devastating jumping knee on Michailidis that knocked him out in the second round. A perfect start for his UFC highlight reel.

7

UFC 276: Pereira Vs. Strickland

Won By First Round KO

• In his third UFC fight, Pereira was matched with ranked contender, Sean Strickland.
• Strickland chose to stand and trade with the world champion kickboxer, resulting in a first-round KO.

It’s hard to write a better script than how Pereira’s UFC career went up to this point. In just his third fight, Pereira was fighting a brash, loud contender on the main card of an Israel Adesanya event.

Even though Strickland later became champion, this performance isn’t rated higher because of the questionable game plan he had going against the world champion kickboxer. Even though Strickland possesses solid wrestling and grappling skills, he wants to beat Pereira with his striking. This resulted in a quick left hook that put Strickland out quickly. This was where the real hype behind Pereira was born.

6

UFC 295: Pereira Vs. Prochazka 1

Won By Second Round TKO

• In his first light heavyweight title fight, Pereira got the former champion, Jiri Prochazka, out of there in the second round.
• He became one of the few fighters to win UFC championships in two weight classes.

Even though this was a historic fight for Pereira and his legacy, it was kind of an awkward performance for the future two-division champion. Prochazka has an awkward style and is very dangerous in any position, but Pereira proved to be able to compete at the highest level even when moving up a weight class.

The only issue is that the stoppage was disputed by UFC fans and the media, which prompted a rematch and some clarity between these two elite fighters.

5

UFC 307: Pereira Vs. Rountree

Won By Fourth Round TKO

• In his third title fight in about six months, Pereira went to war with the very talented and tough Khailil Rountree.
• They put on a show for the fans and Pereira proved to be too much after dismantling and finishing Rountree in the fourth round.

This was a great performance for a few reasons.

Even though many casual fans overlooked Rountree
and his ability to win this fight, the experienced fans knew how dangerous this fight was for Pereira. On top of that, this was Pereira’s third title defense in 6 months, capping a year when he saved multiple events for the UFC.

Rountree proved to be unbelievably tough and skilled, but Pereira showcased how good he really was when he had the chance to fight for more than a couple of rounds. It was clear that Pereira got into some kind of “flow state” in the octagon that night and was very comfortable in the pocket. He broke Rountree down from his head to his leg, finishing the fight with nasty body shots in the fourth round.

4

UFC 291: Pereira Vs. Blachowicz

Won By Split Decision

• In his light heavyweight debut, Pereira bounced back from a devastating loss.
• He fought through adversity to earn himself a title shot.
• He beat the former champion, Jan Blachowicz, by split decision.

This one is ranked pretty high on the list because of the way Pereira overcame adversity and proved he was a legit contender at light heavyweight when many people weren’t sure how he would handle a championship-level fighter like Blachowicz.

Even though it wasn’t a pretty victory, Pereira out-struck Blachowicz and clearly did more damage while also having to deal with constant wrestling from the former light heavyweight champion. This was a very close fight, but Pereira showed that he could find a way to win a fight where his opponent went the “boring” route and tried to control him on the ground for 15 minutes.

3

UFC 300: Pereira Vs. Hill

Won By First Round KO

• At the historic UFC 300 event, Pereira headlined and delivered for the fans with a highlight reel KO over the former champion, Jamahal Hill.

Not only did Pereira save the event by taking this main event bout on relatively short notice, but he played perfectly into his superstardom and defeated the “heel” of the light heavyweight division at the time. This was when Pereira became a superstar.

After all the trash talk from Hill leading up to this fight, Pereira scored a viral KO in the first round to prove why he was the best in the world at that moment. He famously called off the ref after Hill committed a foul by landing a shot below the belt, then seconds later he landed a devastating left hand, ending with a meme-worthy pose above Hill’s unconscious body.

On literally the biggest stage in the UFC
, Pereira delivered.

2

UFC 281: Pereira Vs. Adesanya

Won By Fifth Round TKO

• In his first UFC title fight, Pereira defeated his career-long rival, Israel Adesanya, by fifth-round TKO and became the middleweight champion.
• This was a shock to many UFC fans as Adesanya was one of the most dominant champions the company has ever had.

It was difficult not to put at #1 on this list. The storyline of Pereira beating Adesanya twice in kickboxing, and then following him to MMA to take his throne in the UFC, to make a great comeback at the end of the fight where he needed a finish to win. This was a magical night for Pereira and his fans, and the Adesanya haters.

After losing three out of the first four rounds, Pereira hurt Adesanya to the legs and wore him down while landing heavy shots up against the fence. The stoppage was fair, even though many fans wanted to see a world champion go out on his shield. It was an incredible, gutsy performance from Pereira that showed everyone how special he was as a mixed martial artist.

1

UFC 303: Pereira Vs. Prochazka

Won By Second Round KO

• In his second fight in two months, Pereira dominated and knocked out former champion Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 via second-round head kick KO.

Just two months following his massive win at UFC 300, Pereira saved a UFC 303 card that was devastated by injuries and fighters pulling out of bouts. Since their first meeting was competitive and had an awkward stoppage by the ref, many fans were very intrigued by how this one would play out.

Pereira gave his most technical and dominant performance to date. He was untouchable while hurting Prochazka multiple times before ultimately knocking him out at the start of the second round. Pereira must have known in the corner after the first round that the head kick was going to be there after landing heavy shots to the body and legs already. After a perfectly thrown head kick landed, Prochazka dropped and was finished in seconds.

This performance showed how dominant and dangerous Pereira was to anybody in the world, as well as making him a lot wealthier and an even bigger star.

The UFC is the best promotion in the world for mixed martial arts. An important part of mixed martial arts is the discipline and sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ for short.

BJJ was developed in 1925 by the Gracie brothers after a man named Mitsuyo Maeda taught them Japanese Jujitsu. It has developed into a beautiful sport that has spread throughout the world, designed for a smaller person to be able to manipulate the larger, stronger person by using leverage and weight distribution, along with holds and submissions to defeat them.

The UFC has fighters who use BJJ at the highest level and showcase the discipline in real hand-to-hand combat in front of the world. Who’s the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter in UFC history? Let’s break down a list of the highest-ranked BJJ practitioners and the most prolific submission artists in the company’s history.

16

Gilbert Burns

The Aggressive Finisher Who Made His Name In BJJ

Burns made a name for himself in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before transitioning to MMA, where his aggressive grappling has been a crucial part of his success. The former UFC welterweight title challenger has demonstrated his submission prowess inside the Octagon, securing six submission wins, including an armbar victory in his debut. His ability to blend high-level jiu-jitsu with striking makes him a dangerous threat in the welterweight division.

15

Ryan Hall

A Specialist With Unorthodox BJJ Skills

Hall is one of the most unique grapplers to ever step into the UFC. Known for his mastery of the 50/50 guard and leg locks, he has earned multiple submission victories in the promotion. His cerebral approach to jiu-jitsu and ability to capitalize on leg lock opportunities make him a feared specialist in the featherweight division. Despite having a short UFC career, his impact on modern BJJ-influenced MMA is undeniable.

14

Glover Teixeira

A Submission Threat Even Late Into His Career

Teixeira became the UFC light heavyweight champion at the age of 42, proving that his grappling skills remained elite even as he aged. The Brazilian submission artist has consistently showcased his ability to control and finish opponents with his ground game, amassing seven submission victories in the UFC. His signature move, the rear-naked choke, has been instrumental in several of his biggest wins, including his championship victory over Jan Blachowicz.

13

Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira

One Of The Most Skilled Heavyweights On The Ground

A pioneer of heavyweight submission grappling in MMA, Nogueira was a force to be reckoned with in PRIDE and later in the UFC. His legendary ability to absorb punishment and still find a submission has led to some of the most iconic finishes in MMA history. As a former interim UFC heavyweight champion, his legacy is solidified as one of the best BJJ practitioners in MMA, with six submission wins in the UFC and a career filled with incredible grappling displays.

12

Mackenzie Dern

Dern Is A Decorated Female Grappler

Dern is a highly decorated BJJ practitioner and one of the most successful women to bring her grappling skills to MMA. She continues to impress with her submission victories in the UFC’s strawweight division.

11

Rafael dos Anjos

He Is Also A Former UFC Champion

Dos Anjos, a black belt under Aldo ‘Caveirinha’ Januário, utilized his BJJ foundation to secure notable submission wins in the UFC. His grappling skill, combined with striking and wrestling, made him a formidable opponent across multiple weight classes.

10

Frank Mir

The Heavyweight Submission King Reigns Supreme For The Big Men

Mir holds the UFC record for most submission wins in heavyweight division history with 8. He changed the game by being comfortable pulling guard in the heavyweight division; something that pretty much nobody before or since him would do.

Mir is a black belt in BJJ and has a gold medal from the 2001 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in the +100kg blue belt division. His expertise seemed to revolve around having his opponents trapped in his guard and using leg lock attacks and arm bars as his main submission attempts.

9

BJ Penn

“The Prodigy” Used His BJJ Skills To Dominant Across Four Divisions

Penn is a 5th degree black belt in BJJ and UFC Hall of Famer, still embedded in the community during retirement. He won two Submission of the Night bonuses in his UFC career and unified the UFC lightweight title, defending it three times.

He is a perfect example of how well BJJ works in hand-to-hand combat, being only 5’9″ and fighting from 145lbs to 185lbs in the UFC. He was able to control and protect himself from world-class fighters who outweighed him by sometimes 30+ lbs.

8

Jim Miller

UFC All-Time Win Leader, Credit To Jiu-Jitsu

Miller is the odd man out from this list full of more traditional BJJ practitioners because he came up as a collegiate wrestler. He used his wrestling to form a very aggressive, offensive style of BJJ that has led him to be a future UFC Hall of Famer and lock in many submission victories.

Even though Miller has no BJJ World Championships, he has the second most submissions in UFC history. He has beaten elite fighters and made a lot of money doing so for the better part of two decades by using his grappling skills – winning 15 performance bonuses while attempting the most submissions in UFC history with 48.

7

Rodolfo Vieira

But He Hasn’t Proven It Quite Yet In The Octagon

In the future, Vieira could potentially be #1 on this list. He has the most decorated resume in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the UFC today, with an ADCC gold medal and countless other gold medals in other major tournaments. He is also fighting in the middleweight division of the UFC, which has a lot of opportunity for someone as skilled as him.

He uses incredible top pressure and wrestling to dominate his opponents on the ground, already scoring 4 arm-triangle submissions in his short UFC career.

6

Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza

The Most Feared Grappler For Many Years In MMA

Souza is a 4th degree black belt under Henrique Machado and is a 2024 inductee to the ADCC Hall of Fame. His legacy was formed in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community long before he started his UFC career and he will be a massive piece of the growth of the sport for years to come.

‘Jacare’ means alligator in English, and he was given this name because of how tight and powerful his squeeze was. After two ADCC world titles and countless other major tournament wins, Souza transitioned to MMA seamlessly and won a Strikeforce world championship. Unfortunately, his UFC career took place just outside his athletic prime, and he couldn’t reach the championship level.

5

Nate Diaz

From Street Fights To BJJ

It started in a tough neighborhood of Stockton, California when Nate Diaz wanted to follow his big brother Nick’s footsteps and start training in martial arts. That long, lengthy, tough street fighter turned into one of the most dangerous submission artists in UFC history – while keeping his own style.

You can go back and watch some of his best UFC finishes and see the West Coast culture that he injected into his BJJ skill set. Even though he liked to stand and bang in the octagon, his 3rd degree black belt under the great Cesar Gracie shows up in everything he seems to do in combat sports; even in boxing.

4

Fabricio Werdum

Potentially The Only ADCC And UFC Hall Of Famer

Werdum has a legendary combat sports career if no one even looks at this MMA resume. He is a 2nd degree black belt and has placed in 6 ADCC World Championships, winning two of them. He is one of the few people who simultaneously had a legendary grappling and MMA fighting career; truly a one-of-a-kind athlete in combat sports.

Within a year, Werdum won the 2009 ADCC Worlds and then put on an Upset of the Year and Submission of the Year performance against the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce. He then went on to the UFC and became interim and unified heavyweight champion.

3

Demian Maia

Never Before Was There A Grappler Being Ducked As Hard As Maia In His Prime

Maia is a 5th degree black belt in BJJ and former ADCC champion who brought his traditional skills into the UFC and enjoyed a lot of success right away. As he grew into the sport of MMA and got older, ranked contenders wanted zero part of him. He made a run for the UFC welterweight title and ultimately came up short against Tyron Woodley at UFC 214.

His ability to transition from submission to submission effortlessly was second to none, and it would put his opponents through hell in the octagon.

2

Charles Oliveira

The Fan Favorite Used Basic Techniques To Excite Millions

If any of the readers are new fans of the UFC, they will know who Charles Oliveira is. After many down points in his long UFC career, he grew up in front of the fans’ eyes and became one of the most exciting champions in the sport’s rich history.

Oliveira is the submission king in the UFC with 16 career wins by submission and went on a 12-1 stretch with 8 submissions over the best the UFC lightweight division had to offer, including a submission to defend his UFC title.

1

Royce Gracie

He Transcended The Sport In A Gi

MMA fans might remember the symbolic images of a young man wearing what many thought was a Karate Gi back in 1993 when he shocked everyone by sweeping the UFC 1 tournament with ease.

He continued the evolution of mixed martial arts by showing the world that a smaller man who didn’t know how to punch could beat up a bunch of massive tough guys. He is THE pioneer of the UFC and will be celebrated long after he is no longer here.

They say speed kills, and this certainly rings true in MMA – a sport where the end can come in the blink of an eye. But finishes aren’t the only area where it matters inside the UFC

Octagon.

Fighters with rapid movement can use this to their benefit in wrestling and grappling exchanges, as well as in defense. Some are lightning-fast in a certain area, such as hand speed or reaction time, while others seemingly live on fast-forward across the board.

10

Edson Barboza

Brazilian Striker With Vicious Intent

• Edson Barboza is known for delivering some of the fastest and most devastating kicks ever seen in the UFC.
• His high-speed body mechanics allow him to unleash strikes with incredible precision and power.
• With his exceptional striking ability, he has the potential to end a fight in an instant with a single, well-placed shot.

Edson Barboza makes the list for his incredible repertoire of kicks that he uncorks with ferocity at stunned opponents. While the Brazilian has sharp hands, he also built a career by chopping opponents down with low kicks they had no time to defend.

He has also used this speed to engineer some of the most-watched KOs in UFC history, including his spinning wheel kick finish over Terry Etim and jumping knee stoppage of Beneil Dariush.

9

TJ Dillashaw

Wrestler-Turned-Striker With High Work Rate

• TJ Dillashaw’s lightning-fast footwork played a crucial role in his rise to UFC champion.
• His ability to strike from all angles keeps opponents constantly on the defensive, making him one of the most unpredictable fighters in the Octagon.
• With his speed and precision, he consistently beats his opponents to the punch, overwhelming them with relentless attacks.

TJ Dillashaw’s speed
mostly came from his feet. The American got in and out of range before his rivals could react and bamboozled them with rapid stance switches.

Utilizing his fast movements to control the distance and angles, Dillashaw unleashed quickfire combinations that found their mark before exiting unscathed.

8

Valentina Shevchenko

Rapid Russian Stand-Up Specialist

• Valentina Shevchenko unleashes her punches and kicks with remarkable speed, making it nearly impossible for opponents to react in time.
• Her quickness allows her to control the pace of fights, often striking before her opponents can even attempt a counter.
• This exceptional skill has been a key factor in her dominance over the division, solidifying her status as one of the best fighters in UFC history.

Valentina Shevchenko’s counterstriking
is some of the finest ever seen inside the Octagon, and this largely comes from her ability to react and fire back in the blink of an eye.

The Russian anticipates her opponents’ strikes and is ready to take advantage of this almost telepathic knowledge with crisp punches and kicks that use their momentum against them.

Shevchenko intersperses a wide array of kicks into her game, which come from all angles at a rate of knots, helping her dominant flustered rivals.

7

Conor McGregor

Biggest PPV Draw Of All Time

• Conor McGregor backed up his bold talk with laser-precise punches that left opponents stunned.
• He showcased his striking abilitiy by outclassing some of the most renowned strikers in the UFC.
• With a rare combination of speed and knockout power, he became one of the most dynamic fighters in the sport.

Conor McGregor
makes the list with one of the fastest and most precise left hands in MMA history. Although offensively punishing, McGregor often started his destruction by quickly averting his opponents’ strikes and hitting back before they could react.

His memorable counterpunch KO over Jose Aldo showed this, as did his fast-fisted dismantling of Eddie Alvarez.

6

John Dodson

Pioneering Flyweight Fan Favorite

• John Dodson maintained an incredible tempo at every range, keeping his opponents constantly on edge.
• As a front-running finisher in the flyweight division, he capitalized on his speed to overwhelm rivals before they could mount a response.
• Competing in one of the fastest divisions in the UFC, Dodson stood out as one of the quickest and most explosive fighters.

John Dodson had blazing hand speed that made him stand out in a division where fast was the norm.

To make use of it, he relied on equally rapid defensive wrestling and scrambles, where he’d often work himself free before his adversaries could keep him pinned.

With speed and strength equaling power, Dodson had a rare rate of concussive finishes for the 125-pound ranks.

5

Anderson Silva

MMA Middleweight GOAT

• Anderson Silva always appeared to be steps ahead of his opponents, making their attacks look slow and ineffective.
• His mastery of both offense and defense allowed him to evade strikes effortlessly while delivering precise counters.
• With an incredible ability to read his opponents, he controlled fights with unmatched composure and skill, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.

There may have never been a faster mind in the UFC than Anderson Silva’s.

The Brazilian legend could make elite rivals look like they were fighting underwater with his reflexes and counters crucial to his game.

This was most apparent with his KO over a flailing Forrest Griffin, where “The Spider’s” speed made it seem like he had eight limbs to the American’s four.

4

Frankie Edgar

Former Lightweight Champ

• Frankie Edgar was known for his blend of boxing and wrestling, allowing him to dictate the pace of a fight at any range.
• Few opponents could keep up with his relentless movement and high-energy style.
• Despite often being undersized, he used his exceptional speed to close the gap, outwork his rivals, and compete at the highest level.

Frankie Edgar’s quickness combined with the ability to maintain it throughout a matchup helped him become the UFC lightweight champion in a division where he was massively outsized.

The New Jersey native moved fast and popped out punching combinations that opponents struggled to react in time to defend.

A wrestler by trade, he could shoot behind his strikes seamlessly and stay a step ahead in every scramble.

3

Cody Garbrandt

Heavy-Hitting Former Bantamweight King

• Cody Garbrandt showcased blistering hand speed and elite boxing skills that made him a nightmare for opponents.
• His ability to slip punches and fire back with rapid, precise counters set him apart in the bantamweight division.
• Combining speed with knockout power, he overwhelmed even the most skilled strikers, capturing UFC gold with a masterful performance.

Cody Garbrandt had hand speed that could be the envy of many a professional pugilist.

The former UFC bantamweight champion took the gold with a typical display of ruthless punching against Dominick Cruz, with his quick punches finding their mark against an opponent who could usually rely on being first.

Fast feet and head movement added to his ability to tag his rivals by making them miss and making them pay.

2

Jose Aldo

Legendary Brazilian With Epic Career

• José Aldo, a Muay Thai-based fighter, built his legacy with precision striking and devastating leg kicks.
• His lightning-fast hands and powerful kicks consistently found their mark, breaking down opponents with surgical efficiency.
• For years, he dominated elite competition, solidifying his place as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history.

Though his speed remained as he aged, prime Jose Aldo’s output was delivered in lightning-fast fashion that left opponents bewildered – and often looking up at the arena lights.

Aldo had swift hands, but his kicks were the standout tool. Whipping lightning-fast low kicks and switch kicks, the Brazilian could break rivals down in the body and legs before finishing them.

Aldo’s reaction time and speed in transitions helped him stay on his feet to deliver his brutal array of strikes.

1

Demetrious Johnson

American Icon With All-Round Skills

• Demetrious Johnson is often regarded as the fastest fighter in UFC history, using his speed to outmaneuver and outclass his opponents.
• His diverse skill set allowed him to seamlessly blend striking, wrestling, and submissions with unmatched fluidity.
• Combining a high fight IQ with elite athleticism, he consistently capitalized on openings, making him one of the most complete fighters the sport has ever seen.

The true all-rounder, Demetrious Johnson has to go down as the quickest fighter in UFC history in both body and mind.

His striking combinations were lightning-fast and seamless, and he could enter takedowns before a defender even had the chance to contemplate their reaction.

Johnson’s fluidity between the ranges was a nightmare for opponents who had nowhere to hide or stem the flow of his output. Nobody was faster in the transitions between striking, wrestling, and grappling, most beautifully epitomized by his one-of-a-kind submission of Ray Borg.