The 15 Most Important Fighters in the History of the UFC

The UFC’s Octagon has been home to thousands of fights and combatants throughout the years, with each serving as an opportunity to capture the hearts and memories of fans across the globe.

Over the course of more than 200 events (including tournaments, fight nights and Ultimate Fighter finales), only a select few have made the promotion’s Hall of Fame. Those seven fighters embodied what the sport of mixed martial arts is all about and have helped the promotion achieve new levels of growth and excitement.

Over time, others will join that group—a testament to the evolution of the sport. Each offering something new to the sport, whether it be a new audience, style or something entirely different.

Here’s a look at 15 fighters who have shaped the UFC into what it is today, through both their fighting prowess and reach beyond the cage walls.

Photo: Royce Gracie (L) and Ken Shamrock after their draw at UFC 5 - AP

Don Frye

Credentials: Winner of UFC 8 and Ultimate Ultimate 1996 tournaments

It would be hard to decide which is bigger—Don Frye’s mouth or his moustache.

The wrestling stalwart followed in the footsteps of his mentor, Dan Severn, to the UFC and won the UFC 8 and Ultimate Ultimate 1996 tournaments.

Unfortunately for fans, that’s where Frye’s UFC career would end. He continued his career in Pride and K-1 but never returned to the Octagon.

While his accomplishments inside the Octagon may be worthy of the promotion’s Hall of Fame, his public discord with promotion—specifically Dana White—may keep “The Predator” on the outside looking in.

Fedor Emelianenko

Credentials: None in the UFC

No, it’s not a typo.

Although MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko has never stepped foot inside the Octagon, his importance to the promotion cannot be ignored.

The Russian has long been the measuring stick for the sport. As he tore through the Pride promotion time and time again, he created a cult-like following. His aura even prompted Randy Couture to leave the UFC—albeit temporarily—to look for a fight under the Affliction banner.

The UFC, according to President Dana White, offered the fighter more money than anyone when he was a free agent. However, due to disputes with his management, the fighter never signed with the promotion.

Now that his career is in its twilight—in large part due to an ill-fated run with Strikeforce—fans may never know what would have happened had he competed for the promotion.

Dan Severn

Credentials: Winner of UFC 5 and Ultimate Ultimate 1995 tournaments, UFC 9 Superfight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame

Three things come to mind when the name Dan Severn is mentioned: a great moustache, dominant wrestling and a career that may never die.

“The Beast” was a staple of the early UFC tournaments, winning twice. He also captured the UFC Superfight Championship at UFC 9 but fell short in his attempt for the heavyweight strap at UFC 12.

Severn last competed for the promotion at UFC 27 in 2000 but is still competing in the sport. Now with 125 fights—and 100 wins—the 53-year-old Severn has announced his will hang it up in 2012.

Ken Shamrock

Credentials: First UFC Superfight Champion (one defense, one draw), UFC Hall of Fame

Ken Shamrock is no longer a name endeared by UFC fans after a messy divorce from the promotion—claiming back pay amongst other complaints.

However, his performances in the early tournaments give him a rightful place in the promotion’s Hall of Fame.

Shamrock entered UFC 1 as one of the favorites but found himself tapping to Royce Gracie in the semifinals. The pair would rematch at UFC 5 and fought to a 36-minute draw.

Shamrock would face Dan Severn for the UFC Superfight Championship at UFC 6 and would choke out the wrestler to capture the gold. He would ultimately relinquish the belt to Severn at UFC 9.

Shamrock would taste victory in the Octagon one final time at UFC 48 but has since experienced a significant decline.

Brock Lesnar

Credentials: UFC Heavyweight Champion (two defenses)

Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to deny the effect that Brock Lesnar had on the sport and promotion.

When “The Next Big Thing” decided to leave the world of professional wrestling for MMA, critics scoffed at his title shot with a record of just 2-1.

Lesnar’s response? A knockout win over Randy Couture and two straight defenses of his belt, despite significant health problems.

In addition to his early success, Lesnar brought with him a new audience—pushing the sport to a whole new level. Although he would opt for retirement after just seven appearances—ultimately returning to the WWE—Lesnar pushed the sport closer to the mainstream than it had been previously.

Mark Coleman

Credentials: Winner of UFC 10 and 11 tournaments, First UFC Heavyweight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame

"The Godfather of Ground and Pound" Mark Coleman parlayed a successful amateur wrestling career into a dominant MMA career in the early UFC.

The former NCAA national champion captured the UFC 10 and 11 tournaments before defeating Dan Severn to become the promotion’s first heavyweight champion.

Coleman left for the Pride organization in 1999 but would return to the UFC 10 years later.

He retired following a UFC 109 loss to fellow Hall of Famer Randy Couture.

Tito Ortiz

Credentials: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (five defenses)

Although Tito Ortiz may be one of the more polarizing figures in the UFC—with numerous public spats with UFC President Dana White—it’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of his ability to generate publicity.

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” ascended the promotion’s light heavyweight division with a combination of wrestling and ground-and-pound. He sat atop the division for more than three years before falling on hard times.

In 2011, the fighter saw a brief resurgence after upsetting Ryan Bader at UFC 132 but has now announced that his rubber match with Forrest Griffin at UFC 148 will be his swan song.

His 27 Octagon appearances rank as the most by any fighter in UFC history.

Forrest Griffin

Credentials: Winner of Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Forrest Griffin would be the first to admit that he’s not the most talented fighter in UFC history. But that’s not to say that he’s not one of the most important.

When the UFC debuted The Ultimate Fighter in 2005, no one expected it to be as successful as it has been. That success is primarily due to the all-out war that Griffin engaged in with Stephan Bonnar at the show’s finale to earn a UFC contract.

Three years after that infamous bout, Griffin would capture the light heavyweight belt at UFC 86 by defeating Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, validating the importance of the show and cementing his legacy in the promotion.

Matt Hughes

Credentials: Two-time UFC Welterweight Champion (seven defenses), UFC Hall of Fame

With a total title reign exceeding four calendar years, it’s easy to see why Matt Hughes is in the UFC Hall of Fame.

The Midwestern brought dominant wrestling to the 170-pound division like no one before him. 

Hughes is the only man to defeat both Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn.

Hughes was one of the fighters who helped the promotion stay alive during the transition to Zuffa ownership during the early 2000’s.

His 25 Octagon appearances rank as the most by any welterweight.

BJ Penn

Credentials: Two-time UFC Champion at Welterweight and Lightweight (three defenses)

Always one of the most popular and most talented fighters in the sport, Hawaiian BJ Penn is a testament to how far natural talent can take a fighter.

“The Prodigy” used his world class jiu-jitsu and high-level boxing to capture his first title in 2004.

However, he bumped heads with the promotion and left for K-1 Hero’s shortly after.

He returned two years later but found that the newly re-formed lightweight division was a better fit. Penn dominated the division for two years before relinquishing his belt to Frankie Edgar and moving back to 170 pounds.

In late 2011, Penn announced his retirement.

Georges St-Pierre

Credentials: Two-time UFC Welterweight Champion (six defenses)

There may not be a more athletic fighter in MMA than Canadian Georges St-Pierre.

The welterweight has one of the most well-rounded attacks in the sport. Want to strike with him? He’ll put you on your back. Want to try to take him down? He’ll keep you at bay with his jab. His ability to exploit his opponents’ weaknesses has led him to holding UFC gold for more than four years in his second title reign.

St-Pierre has fueled the sport’s surge into Canada and has locked up mainstream sponsors such as Gatorade and Under Armor in the process.

Anderson Silva

Credentials: Undefeated in the Octagon (14-0), Middleweight Champion for over five years (nine defenses)

Arguably the most dominant fighter in the history of the sport, Brazilian Anderson Silva has yet to taste defeat inside the confines of the famed Octagon.

Silva joined the promotion in the middle of 2006 and had middleweight gold around his waist before the end of the year.

Since then, the fighter has made a record nine consecutive defenses and also has two wins inside the light heavyweight division as well.

Now entering the later stages of his career, the only question that remains is whether he can hold the belt until he decides to hang up his gloves.

Randy Couture

Credentials: Five-time UFC Champion at Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight, UFC Hall of Fame

“The Natural,” “Captain America” or in Joe Rogan’s words, “My Hero.” Those are just a few of the things used to describe Randy Couture during his illustrious career.

Over the course of his 15-year career, Couture captured the hearts of fans and announcers alike with his ability to overcome odds time and time again.

His performance against 6'8" Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 to capture his record fifth championship was something typically reserved for the movies.

Ironically, that’s exactly where the 48-year-old has taken his career now that he’s done fighting. The wrestling stalwart who popularized “dirty” boxing has starred in action flicks such as The Expendables and Redbelt.

Chuck Liddell

Credentials: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (four defenses), UFC Hall of Fame

There may not be a more recognizable fighter in UFC history than the “Iceman.”

The light heavyweight’s career peaked at same time as the promotion saw a resurgence courtesy of The Ultimate Fighter.

While fans tuned into the reality show during the week, Liddell wowed them on pay-per-view by knocking out foe after foe.

Utilizing his infamous “sprawl and brawl” technique, Liddell sat atop the 205-pound division for years, knocking off both Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz multiple times each.

Liddell turned his popularity into guest spots on a number of TV shows, including Entourage, Hawaii Five-O and The Simpsons. The Hall of Famer now serves as vice president of business development for the promotion.

Royce Gracie

Credentials: Winner of UFC 1, 2 and 4 tournaments, UFC Hall of Fame

On Nov. 12, 1993, Gracie made Brazilian jiu-jitsu a staple of the UFC and MMA for decades to come.

The smallest competitor in the inaugural UFC event, Gracie submitted all three of his opponents en route to the championship.

Gracie would repeat the performance at UFC 2—this time submitted four opponents along the way.

He succumbed to exhaustion at UFC 3, but rebounded to win UFC 4, again submitting every opponent.

Gracie made an ill-fated return at UFC 60, falling to Matt Hughes, but his legacy remains intact.

Rob Tatum is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at The MMA Corner. For anything related to MMA, follow him on Twitter.