Ranking the 5 most athletic fighters in the UFC today

It goes without saying that all UFC fighters are exceptional athletes. To make it all the way to the octagon, one has to display top notch strength, speed, endurance and technique.

Retired fighters such as Henry Cejudo and Ronda Rousey are former Olympians, with Cejudo even securing gold. Other fighters from yesteryear such as Brock Lesnar were simply genetic anomalies; built differently to the average human being.

In 2021, the UFC continues to play host to a variety of truly gifted fighters. Here are the five most all-round athletic combatants in the UFC today.

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#5. Current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is arguably the pound-for-pound best in the world right now despite his number two-ranking.

A master wrestler, Kamaru Usman won the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2010. During his time as a wrestler, Usman could bench press a whopping 165kg and squat an insane 230kg. At 170-175lbs, his pound-for-pound strength is nothing short of remarkable.

After transitioning into MMA, Usman incorporated more functional strength movements with equipment such as the sled and medicine ball. In doing so, the current UFC welterweight champ was able to develop his brutally explosive punching power.

The total package, Usman is mobile, durable and fast on both his feet and on the ground. Along with his elite-level wrestling and increasingly deadly striking, Usman holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jistu under Jorge Santiago. Any wonder the 20-1 superstar is so dominant.

#4. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones

Perhaps the tallest master of the one-armed cartwheel, UFC light heavyweight ace Jon Jones is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete. At 6’4”, the long-limbed Jones doesn’t appear to have a body type tailor-made for heavy duty strength training.

Regardless, ‘Bones’ is a master weightlifter and can often be seen performing Olympic lifts such as the hang clean with ease. Lately, the MMA legend has been moving up to 600lbs deadlifts in the weights room.

A black belt in Greg Jackson’s Gaidojutsu, Jones has proven to be exceptionally gifted in all areas of combat. A supreme striker, Jones also has the reflexes and mobility to be a master counter-wrestler.

His decision wins over the likes of Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes have also showcased his top-of-the-line cardio. Currently bulking up for heavyweight, the now considerably larger Jones continues to display great speed and precision in his striking.

Furthermore, his full body strength and explosiveness are at an all time high. The former light heavyweight kingpin has been knocking out 20 MPH sprints as part of his training at 250lbs. A gifted and versatile athlete, to say the least.

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#3. Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje

The UFC lightweight division’s hardest hitter can’t even celebrate a win without showing off his athleticism. ‘The Highlight’ has often been known to do a backflip off the top of the cage. It’s a difficult, dangerous feat that he (usually) lands perfectly.

Beyond the surprise acrobatics, Justin Gaethje’s strikes are akin to getting rocked by a missile launcher. Possessing near superhuman levels of explosive power for his size, Gaethje has more than earned his nickname over the years.

Despite his striking notoriety, Gaethje comes from a wrestling background. Unsurprisingly, the former collegiate-level star boasts the kind of cardio, coordination and mobility one comes to expect from a top-level wrestler.

A look at Gaethje’s training shows off his fast hands, bone-breaking turning kicks and mastery of plyometrics. One of the lightweight division’s most dangerous combatants, don’t be surprised to see Gaethje lift undisputed UFC gold before all is said and done.

#2. Undefeated UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane

At 250lbs, UFC's biggest rising star, Ciryl Gane, can knock out muscle-ups for reps. Just let that sink in for a moment…

The French sensation has taken the MMA world by storm since his 2018 debut. A Muay Thai maestro, Gane has grace and the kind of light feet typically reserved for fighters half his size.

The 9-0 knockout artist is heading into the biggest fight of his young career at UFC 265. Gane will take on Derrick Lewis in an inevitably hard-hitting clash for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.

Considering his power in the weights room and his devastating, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it striking, Gane is arguably the favorite this weekend. Furthermore, despite carrying an immense amount of muscle mass on his frame, Gane boasts exceptional cardio.

His endurance was on full display in his unanimous decision victories over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkvov earlier this year. A multi-faceted athlete, Gane has also shown considerable improvement in his grappling, where his strength provides a huge advantage.

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#1. Current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya

The middleweight division’s first true king since Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya is one of the most impressive athletes in the world today. Arguably the best striker in the UFC right now, Adesanya’s fast hands are remarkable to watch.

A long and precise striker all round, ‘The Last Stylebender’ has a strength and conditioning program as grueling as his fights. Lifting heavily and explosively, Adesanya also makes use of medicine balls and plyometrics to keep his fast twitch muscle fibers firing.

The result is an agile, durable hard hitter boasting exceptional reflexes. As if his power and kickboxing skills weren’t enough, Adesanya is also an exceptional dancer. While his dancing skills are famous thanks to his wild UFC 243 entrance, they are also a testament to how light and loose the middleweight champ is on his feet.

Based on his UFC 263 clash with Marvin Vettori, Adesanya has also been working overtime on his ground game strength and mobility. All in all, there is next to nothing Adesanya can’t successfully apply himself to athletically. Truly an exceptional talent.