5 UFC champions who lapped their division

#2. Anderson Silva – former UFC middleweight champion

For over half a decade, Anderson Silva wreaked havoc in the UFC middleweight division. Silva remains one of the most dominant and entertaining fighters to have ever graced the octagon. His run between 2006 and 2012 saw 'The Spider' defend his middleweight title 10 times.

Silva, in his prime, was renowned for his ability to finish his opponents. Upon joining the UFC in 2006, he went on a 15-fight winning streak, comprising 14 finishes.

His most memorable performances at 185 pounds included his win over Chris Leben in his UFC debut, his submission victory over Dan Henderson, his last-ditch triangle choke against Chael Sonnen and his front-kick KO win over Vitor Belfort.

Over the course of his middleweight championship run, Anderson Silva defeated Rich Franklin (twice), Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, Patrick Cote, Thales Lietes, Damian Maia, Chael Sonnen (twice), Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami.

Towards the end of his reign atop the middleweight division, it almost felt as if Silva was bored or uninterested. He clearly felt unthreatened inside the cage, to the extent that he would regularly showboat and belittle his opponent's striking prowess.

Silva cleaned out the middleweight division twice over. On three occasions, he took on fights at light heavyweight as there were no new contenders at 185 pounds. During his peak, he truly was a sight to behold.

Watch a compilation of every Anderson Silva finish in the UFC below:

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#1. Jon Jones – former UFC light heavyweight champion

Jon Jones became the UFC light heavyweight champion at the age of just 23 following a dominant TKO victory over Mauricio Rua at UFC 128. He went on to defend his 205-pound strap 11 times and reigned over the division for nearly a decade.

Jones beat not one but two generations of light heavyweight contenders during his time atop the division. Following his title-winning performance against Rua in 2011, 'Bones' defended his title against MMA veterans Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen.

He then beat Alexander Gustafsson (twice), Glover Teixeira, Daniel Cormier (twice, although one win was later overturned to a no-contest), Ovince Saint Preux, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes.

Jones is a once-in-a-generation talent. If it wasn't for his troubles outside the octagon, there would be no question as to who the greatest fighter of all time is. His wrestling prowess, innovative striking, fight IQ and physical attributes proved to be too much for most of his opponents.

Watch a compilation of Jon Jones' title defenses in the UFC below:

Jones' MMA journey isn't over just yet. He vacated his 205-pound title following his win over Reyes in 2020 and has subsequently set his sights on the heavyweight division.

He is expected to make his heavyweight debut later this year.