5 greatest UFC featherweights of all time

#4. Conor McGregor

Many have wondered just how strong Conor McGregor's legacy as a featherweight would be had he not abandoned the UFC's 145 lbs weight class after dethroning José Aldo at UFC 194.

Regardless, the former featherweight kingpin is among the greatest fighters to ever compete in the division. The Irishman announced himself to the 145 lbs weight class with an emphatic TKO win over Marcus Brimage. Soon afterwards, 'The Notorious' declared war on the entire division.

What ensued was a thrilling win streak that left his foes overwhelmed by his unique blend of karate and boxing. McGregor fought from a wide and bladed stance that enabled him to bounce in and out of range.

When an opponent tried to land a jab, the Irishman simply floated an inch out of range, causing his foe's jab to fall just short of landing. Immediately after doing so, he darted forward with a crushing straight left over the top.

McGregor also threw hard front kicks to the midsection to back his opponents into the fence, where his distance management tricks either froze them or caused them to lunge into his counters.

Doing so earned 'The Notorious' wins over Dennis Siver, Diego Brandão, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier, and Chad Mendes en route to his historic 13-second knockout over José Aldo. Alas, upon capturing the UFC featherweight title, McGregor left the division without ever defending his throne.

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#3. Max Holloway

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is the owner of the longest win streak in the division's history. Holloway has claimed 13 consecutive wins, while his total number of victories in the promotion's 145 lbs weight class currently stands at 18: the most wins of any UFC featherweight in history.

At the peak of his title reign, Max Holloway was a sight to behold. His jab is the foundation upon which his greatness was built.

'Blessed' always extends his stance when throwing a jab, stepping forward to commit his bodyweight to the stinging blow. Once his foes raise their guards or try to slip on the outside of his jab, Holloway pivots off at an angle and steps towards his opponent's open side.

With his foe preoccupied with the threat of his jab, 'Blessed' slides his right cross or right hook through the lateral gap on his opponent's open side.

An avalanche of combinations followed soon afterwards as he overwhelmed his foes with record-setting volume. Notable names on his list of victims include Ricardo Lamas, Jeremy Stephens, Cub Swanson, Charles Oliveira, Anthony Pettis, José Aldo, Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar, Calvin Kattar, and Yair Rodriguez.

As a former champion, 'Blessed' owns three consecutive title defenses before he dropped his title to Alexander Volkanovski.