UFC 128 Fight Card: Jon Jones and the 15 Most Entertaining Fighters in the UFC

Jon "Bones" Jones is being hyped up as the next big thing in MMA. 

One of the things that brings him so much attention, aside from his efficiency, is his entertaining style.

Often, the two go hand in hand.  

When a fighter can step into the cage and do the things that he wants to do, he is usually both effective and entertaining.

These are the top fighters in the UFC who know how to go out there and entertain. Usually there is creativity and flair, and sometimes these guys run off grit and heart alone.

I present Jon Jones and the top 15 most entertaining fighters in the UFC.

Honorable Mention

 

• Yoshihiro Akiyama


• Nate Diaz


• Shane Carwin


• Pat Barry


• Thiago Silva


• Cain Velasquez


• Chris Leben


• Brock Lesnar


• Wanderlei Silva


• Lyoto Machida


• Nate Marquardt


• Leonard Garcia
• Rousimar Palhares

15. Charles Oliveira

This young dynamo has been getting a lot of attention for being spectacular to watch when he is both on his feet and on the ground.

Although he was humbled by BJJ black belt Jim Miller in his last fight, Oliveira still has all the tools to rise up and become one of the sport's biggest stars.

14. Urijah Faber

Faber was once the face of the WEC organization.

He was the Featherweight Champion and defended his belt more times than anyone in the WEC's history.

No longer champion, Faber is still one of the sport's most recognizable stars and is making his UFC debut at UFC 128 in the co-main event.

Urijah is a powerful wrestler with crafty submissions, creative striking and explosive transitions.  

13. Demian Maia

For fans of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it does not get much better than watching Demian Maia perform.

Maia is the most accomplished BJJ black belt currently competing in the UFC.

When the fight goes to the ground, Maia acts like quicksand, surrounding and trapping his opponents with impeccable technique.

12. Carlos Condit

Condit is comfortable fighting anywhere in the game.

He has terrific grappling ability and a well-refined Muay Thai striking attack.

In his last bout against Dan Hardy, Condit also showed that he has devastating knockout power in his fists.

11. Chris Lytle

Lytle's accomplishments speak for themselves; he has won five "Fight of the Night" awards.

Not only that, but he has a finishing ability that adds more interest to his fights.

He has won "Submission of the Night" twice, and "Knockout of the Night" once. 

10. Stefan Struve

At 6'11", Stefan Struve is the tallest competitor in the UFC.

His bouts have proven to be exciting as he is capable of rallying from tremendous adversity to finish his opponent.

A heavyweight with slick submissions as well as knockout power, Struve is a young fighter with a promising future ahead of him.

9. Matt Mitrione

Tim Hague, Mitrione's last opponent, is an experienced fighter, and yet looked like he did not even belong in the cage with Mitrione.

Mitrione is a tremendous athlete who says he wants to mimic the style of Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz.

Despite being one of the biggest heavyweights around, Mitrione bounced around like a little bunny, but threw leather like battering rams.

8. BJ Penn

BJ Penn is one of the most feared and respected fighters ever to compete in the UFC.

A wizard on the ground and a force on the feet, Penn is also incapable of not putting on a show.

Penn also has incredible flexibility, making his takedown defense and scrambles some of the most entertaining in the business.

7. Clay Guida

Clay Guida only knows one pace, and that pace is 100 mph.

There is perhaps no other fighter who comes into the octagon with more energy than Guida.

His next bout should be another instant classic as he takes on the next man on this list.

6. Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis has some of the best striking in the lightweight division, especially in his kicks.

In his last fight, Pettis landed a kick that is being heralded by many as the best kick ever landed in MMA, as he jumped off the fence to land a kick on his opponent while still in the air.

Not only that, but Pettis also has a very high-level ground game.

5. Diego Sanchez

Because of the intensity that he brings, Sanchez has been in some of the UFC's most memorable battles of all time.

In his last two fights against highly regarded fighters Martin Kampmann and Paulo Thiago, Diego showed that he is still a relentless competitor and a force to be reckoned with.

4. Mauricio Rua

Mauricio Rua pushes a pace that few can handle.

His entertaining style has made him one of the most beloved fighters not only of this era, but also of all time.

Every time Rua steps into the octagon, he is prepared to provide fireworks.

3. Jose Aldo

Jose Aldo is like one of those M-80s you buy down in Mexico.

It looks pretty small, but it sure packs a hell of a bang.

Featherweight Champion Aldo has been wrecking opponents with his Muay Thai style.

His knees, punches and kicks are all exciting. 

2. Jon Jones

Jon Jones performs with a creativity and flair in the octagon that is nearly unmatched.

It seems that whatever he wants to do, he just goes out and does it.

If you were unfamiliar with the sport, you might not even realize that the guys opposite him are trained professionals.

Time will tell if he can become one of the greatest ever to compete in MMA.

1. Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva has put on some lackluster performances, but when he gives one of his trademark virtuoso performances, there is just nothing that is better.

Heck, even his "lackluster" performances are pretty dang entertaining.

When the phrases that best describe someone's career in the octagon have been "fighting in the matrix" and "ballet of violence," you know you have got something special.