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UFC fans often debate who the promotion's greatest fighters, and by extension, who the sport's greatest fighters are due to the density of elite talent in the promotion compared to others. Everybody who follows the sport is well aware of the usual candidates found on various GOAT lists.
Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva are constants. But what of the fighters who, while respectable and even great, are never given the recognition they are perhaps owed upon closer inspection? Unfortunately, some fighters who ought to be highly regarded fly under the radar.
Some went on to become champions, yet were still cast aside by popular opinion for one reason or another. They're underrated, but deserve so much more.
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#10 Diego Sanchez, former UFC lightweight/welterweight
'The Ultimate Fighter 1' middleweight tournament winner Diego Sanchez is remembered more for his outrageous personality and personal issues than his accomplishments.
Not only was he undefeated in his first 17 fights, which consisted of wins over the likes of Nick Diaz, but he also fought for the welterweight title, and his legendary fight with Clay Guida was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
#9 Frank Mir, former UFC heavyweight champion
Frank Mir is often forgotten by those who rank the greatest heavyweights of all time. But in his heyday, he was a submission machine like no other, and a former heavyweight champion, undisputed and interim.
Check out Frank Mir submitting Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira:
Furthermore, he holds wins over fellow heavyweight legends Mirko Cro Cop, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Brock Lesnar.
#8 Fabrício Werdum, former UFC heavyweight champion
It is easy to see why Fabríco Werdum is rarely thought of by MMA fans. He spent a large chunk of his career as an exceptional grappler with little else. But he is perhaps the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist in heavyweight history.
Check out Fabrício Werdum submitting Fedor Emelianenko:
Once he came into his own, he submitted heavyweight GOAT Fedor Emelianenko, and even Cain Velasquez to capture hevayweight gold.
#7 Frank Shamrock, former UFC light heavyweight champion
Frank Shamrock is the less famous Shamrock brother, but no less deserving of respect, even if he's usually overlooked. The younger Shamrock brother is the promotion's original light heavyweight champion.
He defended the title four times, including a fourth-round TKO over future champion Tito Ortiz in the former's final promotional fight.
#6 Michael Bisping, former UFC middleweight champion
For some reason, Michael Bisping was never afforded the respect he deserved throughout his entire career. He has a breadth of achievements under his belt.
He is 'The Ultimate Fighter 3' winner, captured middleweight gold by knocking out Luke Rockhold on short-notice, and holds a win over divisional GOAT, Anderson Silva.
#5 Andrei Arlovski, former UFC heavyweight champion
A glance at Andrei Arlovski's record reveals a troubling run of 34 wins, 23 losses, and two no-contests. However, this is due to Arlovski overstaying his welcome and fighting into his mid-forties.
However, the Belarusian is his country's first-ever UFC champion, having captured the heavyweight title. He also holds the promotional record for the most heavyweight wins, including victories over legends like Frank Mir and Fabrício Werdum.
#4 Forrest Griffin, former UFC heavyweight champion
While beloved for his humor and fun-loving personality, Forrest Griffin is more than just a friendly face and lighthearted joke. He is an 'Ultimate Fighter' winner, whose legendary fight with Stephan Bonnar helped define a new era for the promotion.
Furthermore, he is a Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion, having beaten MMA icon Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson for the title, while also holding wins over legends like Tito Ortiz and Maurício 'Shogun' Rua.
#3 Dricus Du Plessis, UFC middleweight champion
The awkwardness of Dricus Du Plessis' style has led to many underestimating his skills, with his opponents having always been predicted to beat him every step of the way. Robert Whittaker, for example, was supposed to 'fraud check' him.
Instead, the South African TKO'd him, and subsequently beat Sean Strickland to capture middleweight gold to cap off a 9-fight win streak. Yet, he is still overlooked, with some claiming he actually lost to Strickland.
#2 Daniel Cormier, former UFC heavyweight/light heavyweight champion
Daniel Cormier is one of the greatest fighters of all time, but he is rarely acknowledged as such. He has only ever lost to Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, with the former having a history of PED usage, and both men being all-time greats.
Despite the fact that he is a two-division champion, having reigned at heavyweight and light heavyweight, has beaten legends in Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson, and Stipe Miocic, 'DC's' legacy is still defined, by fans at least, by his three losses.
#1 Eddie Alvarez, former UFC lightweight champion
While Eddie Alvarez is the first fighter to ever hold world titles in both Bellator and the UFC, he is largely remembered for being the sacrificial lamb in Conor McGregor's finest-ever performance, and it's unfair to his legacy.
'The Underground King' is a former lightweight champion, having beaten three champions, undisputed and interim, in Justin Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos, and Anthony Pettis. He has also beaten ex-Bellator champion Michael Chandler, and former ONE lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.
