The 5 best UFC fighters from the USA

#1 Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson is the world's best pound-for-pound fighter

Currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings, ‘Mighty Mouse’ has risen from relatively humble beginnings in the UFC’s least-loved division to become widely recognised as one of – if not *the* - greatest fighters in MMA history.

He’s perhaps the most well-rounded fighter that’s ever lived, blending wrestling, submission grappling, striking and clinch work together with a brand of speed and power that’s simply unmatched at his preferred 125lbs. If you want evidence of his worth in a pound-for-pound sense, don’t forget he bested the likes of Miguel Torres and Kid Yamamoto as an undersized 135lber, too.

Since he won the Flyweight title in 2012 with a close decision over Joseph Benavidez, Johnson has turned back a record eleven challengers, including the likes of John Dodson, Ali Bagautinov, Henry Cejudo and Wilson Reis.

Whether it’s been strikers, BJJ artists, world-class wrestlers or a mix of them all, Mighty Mouse has been able to overcome them all. And the most impressive part? He’s somehow been improving constantly along the way. His first two fights with Joseph Benavidez and John Dodson were relatively close, but both men were thoroughly whitewashed in rematches.

From his first successful defence over Dodson to his most recent one – that ridiculous German suplex-into-armbar finish of Ray Borg – Demetrious Johnson has been absolutely perfect. And – unlike Jon Jones – he’s been the consummate professional at all times, closer in style to Georges St-Pierre than a trash talker like Conor McGregor.

It’s a style that might not sell as many pay-per-views or draw as many fans to discussion, but it’s also a style you’ve got no choice but to respect at this stage of the game. When this dominant run finally comes to an end – and it will, at some point – then people will likely look back on Demetrious Johnson as one of the greatest fighters of all time in all possible categories. That’s why he’s the best fighter ever produced by the USA.