Power-Ranking the Top 25 Main Event Worthy Fighters in the UFC

The main event is the most prestigious fight on the card. It is a showcase of the greatest talent than an event can offer.

In today's UFC, reaching the main event provides not only a boost in pay, but in notoriety. Fighters in the main events are heavily featured in advertising, UFC Countdown specials and much more.

Unlike past events like UFC 109: Relentless and UFC 69: Shootout, the UFC has more commonly adopted a branding strategy where they name their events after the fighters in the main event. For example UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans.

This is a ranking of the Top 25 UFC stars who are worthy enough to be called Main Eventers. 

Weighing the Options: The Ranking Criteria

Fighters are put into main events based on many important factors. When power ranking the roster, it is important that we know what criteria our decisions are coming from.

Mainstream appeal/Marketability
Do your events sell more PPV's than other fighters? Does the public want to pay to see you? Are you a Hall of Fame fighter?

History of main events
Have you been in UFC main events before? If so, what is your main event record? This includes all major organizations currently under the Zuffa umbrella (UFC, Strikeforce, WEC).

Title contendership 
Should your next fight be for a championship belt? Are you currently a champion? Are you a former long-term champion? 

Current Streak (wins or losses)
Major win streaks bump you higher on our list. Current main event fighters on a losing streak can lose their place to someone on the rise. 

Note: Being champion doesn't necessarily make you more worthy of main event status than someone else who isn't a champion. For example: Unproven champions may have the belt, but they haven't proven that they can sell a PPV.

Note: This is not a list of how talented a fighter may be. This simply ranks fighters based on their status as main eventers.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's get on to the list.

No. 25: Renan Barao

Weight Class: Bantamweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 3
MMA Record: 28-1 (1)
Main Event Record: 0-0 

You try telling the man who hasn't lost any of his last thirty professional fights that he doesn't belong in the main event! With an incredible amount of momentum behind him, Barao has won five fights in Zuffa's bantamweight division.

Were it not for the apparent contract stipulation that Urijah Faber needs only one win after each loss in order to receive a title shot, Barao would be opposing champ Dominic Cruz this summer.

Barao is very marketable due to his streak, and he is dominant in his performances. Of his 28 professional victories, he finished his opponents 19 times.

No. 24: Ian McCall

Weight Class: Flyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 11-2-1
Main Event Record: 0-0 

Every division needs a charismatic fighter with a killer sense of humor. The light-heavyweights have Forrest Griffin. The middleweights have Chael Sonnen. And the flyweights have Ian McCall.

The controversy surrounding the decision in his bout is great for the Flyweights because it adds to the desire of fight fans who can’t wait to see McCall on their screen once again. We won’t see the flyweight fighters headlining any PPVs in the near future, but as the division’s biggest star, don’t be shocked to see McCall headline an FX or FUEL TV event.

No. 23: Jake Ellenberger

Weight Class: Welterweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 3
MMA Record: 27-5
Main Event Record: 2-0

I might catch some grief for this one, but Jake Ellenberger is the No. 3 welterweight in the UFC right now. The Juggernaut  has been given the opportunity to main event twice, and has come out on top in both, soundly defeating contenders Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez.

He may see a co-main event if he challenges Martin Kampmann or Jon Fitch on PPV, but in terms of televised events, Ellenberger is the stuff that main events are made of.

No. 22: Lyoto Machida

Weight Class: Light-Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 5
MMA Record: 17-3
Main Event Record: 2-3

Lyoto Machida’s stock has dropped in recent years due to his losses to Shogun Rua and Jon Jones. While stoppage losses are the quickest way for your stake in the organization to plummet, Machida continues to show flashes of brilliance in all of his fights. After all, he is the only man to win a round against Johnny Bones.

Many argue that the scorecards of his November 2010 fight with Rampage Jackson saw Machida on the wrong side of a screw job. If you believe that to be true, Machida has only lost to the two most recent champions, with career victories over Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, Randy Couture, Rich Franklin and BJ Penn.

Machida's name isn't enough to headline a PPV without another Top 5 fighter, but it used to be.

No. 21: Cain Velasquez

Weight Class: Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 3
MMA Record: 9-1
Main Event Record: 2-1

Nobody expected that Cain Velasquez's run on top of the UFC Heavyweight division would be so brief. After dismantling Big Nog and Brock Lesnar in 2010, seeing the champ fall to Junior dos Santos via knockout in only 64 seconds was a shocking moment for the UFC on FOX audience.

With such an enormous audience seeing you lose so quickly, it’s easy to derail the hype train that you once had behind you.

Cain’s next bout is a co-main event contest with Frank Mir. If he has his hand raised, he will not only be back in the main event, but in the title hunt as well.

No. 20: Mauricio Shogun Rua

Weight Class: Light-Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 4
MMA Record: 20-6
Main Event Record: 1-3

Mauricio Shogun Rua is a legend from the PRIDE organization and he needs absolutely no introduction at all. His star power is hurt only by his inconsistent record inside the Octagon. Although he arrived with a 16-2 record, Shogun has only seen his hand raised in four of his eight UFC fights.

His record in main events is a bit deceiving. His three losses include a controversial decision to Lyoto Machida and a bout with Dan Henderson that was so closely contested that many argue it should have been a draw.

Finding himself outside of the top three of his division may relegate him to the co-main event role in his next fight, even if it is a retirement bout for Rampage Jackson.

No. 19: Frank Mir

Weight Class: Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 4
MMA Record: 16-5
Main Event Record: 1-1

Remember me saying that your ranking does outweigh your position as a main eventer? Frank's three fight win streak and submission of the year performance over Big Nog boost him above Velasquez.

In the talent-soaked heavyweight division, there is one thing in short supply: trash talkers. The division is held steady by Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Shane Carwin and Alistair Overeem. The only heavyweight in title contention who actively uses his jaw jacking talents to help sell a fight is former champion Frank Mir.

It also helps Frank that he happens to be the best BJJ practitioner in the division, as evidenced by his submission victory over Minotauro Nogueira back in December. There are few feats as difficult as this, as Nogueira is a submission ace who had never tapped in his 41 previous fights.

Don’t be shocked if Mir winds up in the main event of UFC 146. The heavyweight division sees a lot of injuries, and with a 3-fight streak on his side, Mir is the best replacement in the event that the injury bug bites either Junior dos Santos or Alistair Overeem

No. 18: Dominick Cruz

Weight Class: Bantamweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 19-1
Main Event Record: 3-0

Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is the lowest ranked champion on this list. In his sole PPV main event, Cruz only generated 350,000 buys, which mostly came on the shoulders of Urijah Faber, Wanderlei Silva, Chris Leben and Tito Ortiz, who also fought on the card. Additionally, the card had the benefit of being on July 4th weekend, which traditionally generates bigger numbers. These sales were far below the hopes of matchmaker Joe Silva.

Cruz’s next title defense came on free television, the first title match not to be featured on PPV in more than four years. Maybe it was the UFC brass not having faith in Cruz to deliver decent PPV numbers in a bout with untested Demetrious Johnson. Maybe not. One thing is for sure: Cruz has been champion for little more than two years and has cleaned out his division enough that he is already granting rematches.

Hopefully, his tenure on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter will up his standing in the eyes of fans. Clearly he has got the talent, but fans don’t seem too excited to cough up $45 to see Cruz use his evasive footwork en route to a decision victory.

No. 17: Michael Bisping

Weight Class: Middleweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 5
MMA Record: 22-4
Main Event Record: 3-1

England’s leading man has been in three UFC main events since dropping to middleweight and has come out victorious in each of them. His first main event fight saw him square off with Chris Leben at UFC  89, and he has main evented as recently as December when he scored a third round TKO over Jason Mayhem Miller at the Ultimate Fighter Finale.

Bisping’s co-main event with Chael Sonnen showed the world that he is a top-of-the-line middleweight who can compete with the very best. Many felt that Bisping was hosed in the decision, but despite coming out with the loss, Bisping finally earned the respect that he has seeked for so long.

The Count will likely battle Tim Boetsch sometime this summer, so his star hasn’t fully arrived yet. That fight could headline a UFC on FX event, but not much else.

No. 16: Quinton Rampage Jackson

Weight Class: Light-Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 10
MMA Record: 32-10
Main Event Record: 5-3

This name has been on the lips of MMA fans all week after his statement that he would like the UFC to release him from his contract. Even after his fall from grace, Rampage knows how to keep his name in the press.

In terms of mainstream appeal, Rampage has more of it than most, as he has appeared in Hollywood movies, coached two separate seasons of The Ultimate Fighter and has experience touring the talk show circuit.

Rampage is a longtime main event fighter who has recently dropped down. However, his name will always have enough value to sell fights, and his antics up his draw even more. His final fight with Shogun could likely be a main event bout, and rightfully so, but with seven UFC championships these days, it would be hard for that fight to headline.

No. 15: Benson Henderson

Weight Class: Lightweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 16-2
Main Event Record: 3-1

Newly crowned lightweight champion Benson Henderson is on top of the most stacked division in MMA today. The fights within the division are action packed, highly entertaining and commonly feature major upsets.

Henderson still doesn’t have a signature win to his credit, and fans who have only been exposed to his UFC tenure have yet to see his "smooth" submission game. If Bendo can find a way to stop Frankie Edgar, he will not only cement his position as the champ, but he will officially become a star.

No. 14: Urijah Faber

Weight Class: Bantamweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 26-5
Main Event Record: 5-4

There are plenty of pictures of Urijah Faber that I could have selected. None better illustrates his mainstream appeal than the one above. Faber was one of the first fighters to lock down major sponsorships from companies like Amp Energy Drink and K-Swiss footwear.

Faber’s unrivaled popularity in the lighter weight classes has consistently brought him favor in the eyes of UFC matchmakers. Faber has received four title shots in two different divisions since losing his WEC championship in 2008.

Although Faber has been unable to recapture gold, he is one of the best bantamweights in the world, despite losing four of his last nine contests. His popularity is enough to warrant his consistent main event placement in Zuffa events, and higher placement on this list than the current champion.

No. 13: Carlos Condit

Weight Class: Welterweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 28-5
Main Event Record: 5-1

Carlos Condit has four Fight Night awards and the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship. He current;y has a five fight win streak. He has victories over Nick Diaz, Jake Ellenberger and Rory MacDonald. What he does not have, however, is a timeline of when he will be back in action.

Condit upset many when he intelligently counter-struck Nick Diaz en route to winning gold back in February. He isn’t outspoken and he doesn’t talk trash. However, he is a man with a gold belt and his next date should be with Georges St. Pierre. In my book, those two things, along with the constant headlines surrounding the Nick Diaz debacle, are enough to have us recognizing The Natural Born Killer as a main event fighter, at least for the time being.

No. 12: Frankie Edgar

Weight Class: Lightweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 14-2-1
Main Event Record: 2-1-1

Edgar ranked above Henderson? Really? Absolutely! Do you really expect the promotional concept of Edgar/Henderson II to be anything less than "Can Frankie Edgar defy the odds once again?"

The story of the little underdog that could isn’t over yet. Frankie Edgar gets his second crack at Benson Henderson this summer. Frankie has defied the odds on several occasions when he defeated Sean Sherk, BJ Penn and Gray Maynard.

His never die attitude earned him a rematch after Dana White announced that he thought Anthony Pettis should be next in line. Edgar trudged forward and marked his territory, announcing that he wouldn’t be dropping to featherweight, even though he was promised a title shot in exchange for doing so.

Frankie Edgar is a man who the people believe in. He is a man who we pay to see put on entertaining fights. He is a man who we have faith in. He is a man who belongs in the main event.

No. 11: Jose Aldo

Weight Class: Featherweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 21-1
Main Event Record: 4-0

Featherweight champion Jose Aldo showed how little UFC fans care about the division when he took on undefeated contender Chad Mendes at UFC 142. Even with the star power of Vitor Belfort in the co-main event, only 235,000 purchases came through for the event.

With an incredible record of 21-1, and victories over Urijah Faber, Mike Brown and Kenny Florian, Aldo has earned his No. 4 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. However, his skills alone aren't enough to make him a draw. Due to the lack of depth in the division and the fact that several top stars have recent losses, Aldo has nearly cleaned out his division. Without credible threats, fewer fans are willing to buy the fight.

In a year or two, the division will find some new stars, and if Aldo keeps knocking them down, he may find himself in a smaller pond than ever before. However, with Hatsu Hioki and the winner of Korean Zombie/Dustin Poirier lurching in the wings, Jose has got his work cut out for him.

No. 10: BJ Penn

Weight Class: Lightweight/Welterweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 16-8-2
Main Event Record: 6-4-1

It’s rare that a fighter has a guarantee into the UFC Hall of Fame. Multi-divisional champion BJ Penn is on the short list.

At the age of 33, Penn claims that he has hung up his gloves for good, but that’s definitely not the first time he has made such a claim. Expect to see Penn back in the Octagon sometime this fall in a triumphant return to the lightweight division. The anticipation of Penn's inevitable return will draw huge numbers.

Since his return to the UFC in 2003, only three fights from Penn have not been the main event: His 2010 co-main event with Matt Hughes, a No. 1 contender fight with GSP at UFC 58 and his co-main event against Frankie Edgar at UFC 112. That is a major testament to his popularity and his success.

No. 9: Dan Henderson

Weight Class: Middleweight/Light-Heavyweight/Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 3 LHW
MMA Record: 29-8
Main Event Record: 6-3

Few people will ever have the accomplishments of Dan Henderson. He has fought for all of the most prominent organizations in the world, and found success in each. He has competed in three weight classes, and defeated major names in all divisions.

Hendo’s main event status was solidified last summer when he squared off against former No. 1 ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. It took Hendo less than one round to dispatch of the iron chinned Fedor when he earned a TKO stoppage.

Carrying over the Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight championship, Hendo hit the ground running back in the UFC when he defeated Shogun Rua in 2011's Fight of the Year. His momentum has never been higher, and now fans want to see how far Hendo can go.

No. 8: Alistair Overeem

Weight Class: Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 36-11
Main Event Record: 3-0

When the UFC announced the signing of Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, all things seemed possible. Dream matches that pit top level talent from the UFC and Strikeforce against one another suddenly became a reality.

Just like the old days of pro wrestling when WCW stars showed up on WWF programming, seeing a Strikeforce champion like Overeem arrive in the UFC got the blood of every fan pumping to it’s limits.

In his first bout, he destroyed former champion Brock Lesnar so badly that it sent him into retirement, and earned a title shot in the process. Overeem has major league credentials from all over the world and hasn't been defeated since 2007.

Expect the buyrate on his May bout with Junior dos Santos to be above 500,000.

No. 7: Nick Diaz

Weight Class: Welterweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: N/A
MMA Record: 27-8
Main Event Record: 6-1

Is there a more controversial fighter than Nick Diaz? He tried to leave MMA to pursue a career in boxing, despite a major win streak and possession of the Strikeforce welterweight champion. He skipped out on his pre-fight responsibilities and lost a title opportunity against Georges St. Pierre.

I’m not done. Diaz knowingly ignored drug testing regulations because he was convinced that he knew how to beat the system. Lastly, he retired after a decision loss to Carlos Condit in which he was astutely outboxed.

Regardless of what you may think of Nick, you have to agree that he is a hot button issue for most fans. His fans adore him and his detractors want to see him get beat. People are willing to pay to see Nick Diaz, and that makes him one of the most main event worthy fighters today.

No. 6: Chael Sonnen

Weight Class: Middleweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 27-11-1
Main Event Record: 0-1

If trash talking earned awards, Chael Sonnen would have a trophy case that makes Chris Lytle green with envy. Sonnen’s way with words managed to snag 600,000 buys for UFC 117 against Anderson Silva. In comparison, UFC 112 featured two title fights with champions Silva and BJ Penn and only sold 500,000.

Believe it or not, Sonnen might have ranked higher if he had more experience in main-event situations. Whether it’s his culturally curious remarks about Brazillians or derogatory remarks about Anderson Silva and his Black House teammates, Sonnen found a way to be both humorous and enraging. Fans everywhere wanted to see him either murder Silva in the cage, or get his just deserts trying. Ironically, both things happened.

His controversial run-ins with the law and athletic commissions have kept him in the headlines, and Chael knows how to pump the PR machine for all it’s worth. The numbers on his rematch with Silva could be historic.

No. 5: Rashad Evans

Weight Class: Light-Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 2
MMA Record: 16-1-1
Main Event Record: 7-1

The No. 2 light heavyweight today has only been defeated once. He is a product of The Ultimate Fighter 2, and fans have gotten to see him evolve before our very eyes for the last 7 years. His victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson have earned the respect of the MMA world too.

Suga exemplifies the term “love him or hate him” because many love him for his pure skill, incredible work ethic and the fact that he always seems to get better. However, many also hate him for his incredible cockiness and his feeling that he is owed something.

I don’t think Rashad got the memo, but when the champ gets hurt, most No. 1 contenders actually fight in the meantime. How’d that title shot you were promised back in 2010 work out for you Suga? You could have been the interim champion when Shogun went out. Instead, you fought Tito Ortiz and Phil Davis.

Evans squares off with Jon Jones next month in what should be an enormously successful event. This is a main event that people have talked about for a year. Only time will tell us if it’s worth the wait.

No. 4: Georges St. Pierre

Weight Class: Welterweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 22-2
Main Event Record: 9-2

Few fighters have been able to avenge all of their career losses. GSP has been on top of the UFC welterweight division for years and fans recognize his greatness. He has tangled with the best and been nominated for ESPN’s best fighter three times; a record for MMA fighters.

Although Georges has been at No. 2 in the pound for pound list for some time now, fans are catching on quickly to Georges’ inability to finish his opponents. The only detraction to the mystique of GSP is that his peers are finishing fights in decisive manners while he finds himself unable.

It doesn't look good for Georges when Jake Ellenberger and Carlos Condit score first round KOs against opponents who he couldn't beat in 25 minutes.

No. 3: Junior Dos Santos

Weight Class: Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 14-1
Main Event Record: 2-0

Undefeated inside the Octagon is UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. His hands are registered weapons after finishing Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Cro Cop, Gabriel Gonzaga and more.

His nasty list of knockouts is further supplemented by his truly kind nature. Fans got to see the softer side of the champion when he coached a season of The Ultimate Fighter last year.

People will always want to see the heavyweights battle because of the prestige behind being the world heavyweight champion. JDS will test his chin and abilities when he squares off with Strikeforce and K1 Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem in May.

No. 2: Jon Jones

Weight Class: Light-Heavyweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 15-1
Main Event Record: 5-0

With as invincible as Jon Jones often appears, he may need to change his nickname to Suntanned Superman. The young up-and-comer became world champion at the ripe age of 23 and has defeated dangerous world beaters Rampage Jackson, Shogun Rua and Lyoto Machida in successive fights.

While 2011 was undoubtedly the year of Jones, 2012 shows no signs of slowing down. If Jones can get past Rashad Evans next month, he looks to take on Dan Henderson by the end of the year.

His talent is evident and people believe that he very well could become the greatest fighter of all time. Watching his run on top is akin to seeing the prime years of Mike Tyson or Anderson Silva. Is there anything he can’t do?.

No. 1: Fedor Emelianenko

What? You thought I’d pick Anderson Silva? Yeah...you’re right. That’s probably better.

No. 1: Anderson Silva

Weight Class: Middleweight
B/R Divisional Ranking: No. 1
MMA Record: 31-4
Main Event Record: 14-0

Read that record in main events one more time. With 14 trips to the main event, Anderson Silva has never left the cage without a W.

The man is beatable, but none of the UFC’s best have been able to do so. Dan Henderson? No problem. Rich Franklin? Piece of cake. Vitor who? 

He holds the records for most consecutive wins and title defenses. In fact, no one has come close. Anderson is simply the best in the world and that will forever have fight fans on the edge of their seats when he is in action.

No man has come closer than Chael Sonnen, and he will get his second chance to dethrone our reigning king this summer.