5 UFC powerhouses that other fighters feared

#2. Anthony Johnson, the man who fought in four different weight classes

Anthony Johnson started his UFC career as a welterweight standout in 2007. For years he had trouble making weight. In 2012, he moved to middleweight for his bout with Vitor Belfort but missed weight. He lost the bout and was cut by the promotion. However, his devastating power began to show itself when he moved to light heavyweight.

At WSOF, he KO'd Andrei Arlovski at heavyweight. He won and broke Arlovski's jaw. The UFC signed him again and he dispatched Antonio Rogerio Nogueira as well as Alexander Gustafsson with ease. He then challenged Daniel Cormier for the vacant light heavyweight belt. 'Rumble' almost sent Cormier flying with a punch but ultimately lost via submission.

He challenged Cormier once more after three straight KO finishes. He came up short a second time. During his run, 'Rumble' became one of the strongest punchers in UFC history. Seventeen of his twenty-three victories are by KO/TKO. His raw power was feared, no matter what weight class he fought in.

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#1. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou

'The Predator' burst onto the MMA scene in 2013. He is the only active UFC fighter on the list. In his first fight with the promotion, Ngannou knocked out Luis Henrique in round two. He then went on a tear in the heavyweight division, finishing four of his next five opponents inside one round. In just six fights in the UFC, the man from Cameroon had established himself as a feared puncher.

However, things would come to a grinding halt. At UFC 220, Ngannou was completely taken apart by champ Stipe Miocic. He then lost to Derrick Lewis by unanimous decision. But 'The Predator' came back and KO'd his next four opponents within minutes.

He beat Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a combined 2 minutes and 42 seconds of octagon time.

In 2021, at UFC 260, he outwrestled and knocked out Miocic to win the heavyweight belt. He had an answer for everything Miocic tried. As it stands, ten of his eleven victories have come via KO/TKO. The 35-year-old has left some of the best heavyweights ever unconscious on the octagon floor. Ngannou is not only a powerhouse but a champion who seems to improve with every fight, making him the most feared UFC fighter in the world today.