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#2. Garry ‘The Lion Killer’ Tonon (MMA: 6-0, Grappling: 71-25)
American grappling antihero Garry ‘The Lion Killer’ Tonon is perhaps the most successful case of a pure grappler-turned-MMA-fighter. Tonon is a product of the infamous Danaher Death Squad and is arguably the best submission grappler in and around his weight class.
Tonon is highly-decorated, with multiple BJJ world championship accolades to his name. He is a former IBJJF world champion in both Gi and No Gi, a five-time Eddie Bravo Invitational champion, and more. He even has a win over the aforementioned Aoki in ONE Championship’s first-ever grappling super-match.
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Tonon made the decision to transition to MMA in 2018, making headlines by signing with ONE. Since then, Tonon has gone on to win his first six MMA fights, five of which have come inside the distance.
Staying true to form, Tonon has three submission wins on his MMA record. More surprisingly, however, is the fact that he’s been able to record two knockouts to go with that. He is truly one of the most dangerous BJJ fighters in the cage.
#1. Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida (MMA: 1-0, Grappling: 138-14)
If we’re talking about the best BJJ fighters in MMA right now, then there’s no one better than the legendary Marcus Almeida, widely considered the most accomplished submission grappler in history.
More fondly referred to as ‘Buchecha,’ a nickname given to him by Rodrigo Cavaca, Almeida owns six IBJJF world championship open weight titles, and holds the record of absolute gold medals at the Mundial, eclipsing Roger Gracie's previous record of three in 2016.
With a litany of accomplishments in BJJ, one would have to wonder what Almeida would stand to gain from a transition to MMA. At 31 years of age, he’s joining the party late in his prime, and he has only a few good years of competing at the highest level ahead of him.
Still, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous, and if he plays his cards right, he can still make a very sizable dent in MMA’s heaviest division.
Almeida made his MMA debut recently, showcasing his talents inside the ONE Championship cage. ‘Buchecha’ defeated Anderson Silva last September via north-south choke. He has since teased a return to action in December.
