#2. Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski rose through the ranks and captured UFC gold within three years. The Australian started as a Greco-Roman wrestler, then transitioned to playing rugby before finally choosing MMA. Inside the octagon, Volkanovski's well-rounded skillset reflects his multidisciplinary athletic background.
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The Australian made his UFC debut in 2017 and showcased his strong wrestling, incredible stamina, and striking prowess in a series of impressive wins. At UFC 245, 'The Great' fought Max Hollway in a competitive five-round title fight. Volkanovski out-pointed Holloway with versatility and better fight IQ.
His first title defense was a closely contested rematch against Holloway. Similarly, Volkanovsk's next fight against Brain Ortega was a five-round slugfest. With wins over two former champions, two title defenses, and a twenty-fight career win streak, 'The Great' has established himself as the dominant force in the division. It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for the current champion.
#1. Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo is among the most prolific champions in MMA history. He made his professional debut in 2004 against Mario Biola. Over the next decade, the Brazilian built a near-perfect resume, losing only once in twenty-six fights. 'Junior' signed with the WEC in 2008 and, a year later, became featherweight champion.
After WEC merged with the UFC, Aldo became the promotion's inaugural featherweight champion. The Brazilian possessed exceptional striking skills paired with speed and stamina. Kicks, elbows, knees, and relentless pressure were all part of his arsenal. Aldo was also defensively sound both on the feet and on the ground.
During his prime, the Brazilian seemed unstoppable and defended his title seven times. After losing to Conor McGregor in 2015, 'Scarface' rallied back to become a two-time champion in 2016. However, after suffering another loss against Max Holloway, the longest-reigning UFC featherweight champion moved down to bantamweight in 2019.
With a 31-7-0 record, 17 KO/TKO victories, 'Junior' was unstoppable during his prime. Even at 35, Aldo continues to find success at bantamweight.