The 5 most ripped MMA fighters today

If only muscles could win fights, the most ripped MMA fighters in the world would never lose.

Part of what makes MMA so riveting to fans around the world is the amount of diversity within the sport. With athletes hailing from all seven continents chasing the same dream, different cultures, creeds, and beliefs are always on display.

In its infancy, MMA was marketed as two disciplines going head-to-head, a boxer versus a wrestler, a kickboxer versus a judoka, and so on. Nowadays, it is essential for a mixed martial artist to learn various fighting disciplines to avoid falling behind the pack.

But even with all this diversity coming from every conceivable angle, there’s one thing that most MMA fighters have in common – their bodies.

They’re jacked, shredded, ripped, yolked - however you want to describe them. Your average professional MMA fighter is in impeccable shape, as this is required to gain any possible advantage in competition.

Here are the five most ripped MMA fighters today.

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#5. MMA superstar and global icon Conor McGregor

He’s the most recognizable name in mixed martial arts history, and he's absolutely ripped.

Love him or hate him, nobody has achieved what Conor McGregor has in his career. The Irishman significantly aided the UFC’s efforts to shine a mainstream spotlight on mixed martial arts. He did so by winning fights in spectacular fashion after casting a prediction, at least in the beginning.

At his best, McGregor donned one of the most ripped physiques in the entire sport. His medley of muscles is emphasized by his iconic tattoos, which include a Gorilla on his pectorals, his surname tattooed across his abdomen, and a realistic portrait of a tiger emerging from the tall grass on his lower abdomen and pelvis.

This is in addition to the Celtic-style thorns that run from his neck down to his lumbar topped with a cross. The body art only further exaggerates McGregor’s ripped physique, one which he has carried from 145 pounds to 155, and even up to 170. No matter the weight class, expect McGregor to show up on fight night looking as ripped as ever.

#4. Former Olympian and MMA legend Yoel Romero

Making a list of the most ripped MMA fighters today and not including Yoel Romero doesn't seem justified.

The Cuban athlete made his debut in the UFC back in 2013 and immediately made waves by knocking out Clifford Starks. Aside from his knockout victory, MMA fans took notice of Romero’s chiseled physique, most noticeably, his neck (or lack thereof).

If one were inclined to replace Romero’s neck with a tree stump, hardly anyone would notice. Surrounded by trapezius muscles that look like softballs, Romero’s neck doesn’t just look cool; it’s also functional. In 19 professional bouts, Romero has never been choked out.

There's no denying Romero is one of the scariest men in all of MMA, and his physique has a lot to do with that.

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#3. Phil 'Mr. Wonderful' Davis

Phil Davis has one of the most insane bodies in all of sports, let alone in MMA. The Pennsylvania native is a top contender in Bellator MMA’s light heavyweight division and owns some of the most massive deltoids known to man.

When Davis hits the scale during weigh-ins, extends his 78’ inch reach, and shouts towards the heavens, it almost looks like he has wings.

Quite literally, Davis’ muscles have muscles. His obliques look almost like stabilizers should he fall over, as they extend over his hip and away from his abs. Of course, this is all without a single mention of Davis’ sculpted six-pack or his biceps, which look like grapefruits protruding from his arms.

He truly is a physical specimen and one of the most aesthetically shocking MMA athletes in the world. Incidentally, Davis' last fight was against Yoel Romero, and it truly looked like two gladiators engaging in combat. 'Mr. Wonderful' beat 'The Soldier of God' via split decision in what was Romero's Bellator debut.

#2. 'Super' Sage Northcutt

Show a non-MMA fan a photo of Sage Northcutt’s upper body and ask them if they think it’s photoshopped or not. It’s a fair question, Sage Northcutt’s body almost looks like a computer-generated creation, but it’s definitely not. The upstart Texan may look mean but is one of the friendliest people in all of mixed martial arts.

Northcutt’s physique undoubtedly aided him in gaining followers and general popularity at the genesis of his MMA career and beyond. At just 25-years-old, Northcutt has close to 800K followers on Instagram, despite spending the last year and a half recovering from a face injury. If 'Super' Sage’s eight pack isn’t enough to impress you, his dinner-plate-sized pectorals and his alien-like biceps surely will.

He’s so unbelievably ripped that it’s almost inconceivable to imagine an MMA fighter appearing even more muscle-bound. And while Northcutt’s physique is astounding, there’s still one more name to cover.

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#1. MMA heavyweight Alain 'The Panther' Ngalani

Possibly the biggest no-brainer of all time, Alain 'The Panther' Ngalani was an easy pick for the top spot on this list. At 46-years-old, Ngalani’s younger contemporaries pale in comparison when it comes to their physiques.

This Adonis-looking Cameroonian MMA athlete looks like he was created in a laboratory specifically for the purpose of being shredded and knocking opponents out. Ngalani regularly shows off his body on Instagram, posting videos of himself putting it to use in the gym alongside fellow MMA athletes and bodybuilders.

He also boasts absurd flexibility, having posted videos of himself performing a full split and kicking targets above his head. No matter which way you slice it, Ngalani is one of the most ripped and athletic fighters on the planet and definitely the correct choice to sit atop this list. His fights are must-watch television, even if only for the shocking aesthetics.