Making History: The 10 Most Influential Fighters in UFC History

Throughout UFC history there have been many engaging fighters across various weight classes.  They've all attempted to leave their mark on the company, but only a select few can be classified as "legends."    Whether the deadliest of strikers, or a D-1 All-American wrestler, the UFC has had fighters of all disciplines represent the company and do so successfully.

The UFC has thrived off of the variety that it has brought to the table and the excitement of its fights which have helped feed a rabid fan base.  Loyal UFC fans like myself will remain pay-per-view purchasers, but the challenge is to gain more and more fans and even go global.  This is something that the UFC has flourished in over the past few years and are now fixing to take off.

Here are 10 fighters who have helped the UFC get to this point.

10. Tito Ortiz

"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" is one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history.  His reign over the 205-pound division back in the early 2000s was sheer dominance.  Ortiz held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for nearly three and a half years.  

He has become an engaging personality in the UFC and his act continues to go on.  Like him or not, Ortiz is synonymous with the world of MMA because of his controversial nature.  Ortiz's reign during the prime of his career helped mold the UFC during its time of gaining exposure and he was instrumental in helping the company go global.

Ortiz's impact will be felt in the UFC forever.  He was one of the great champions that this company has ever seen.   

9. Ken Shamrock

Ken Shamrock was one of the best fighters in the beginning days of UFC.  Whenever there was a challenge awaiting, Shamrock willingly took it on and became known for his ability to consistently compete with the best fighters in the world. 

Rivalries with fighters like Ortiz, Royce Gracie and Dan Severn helped define his legacy and make him a marketable personality.  He even went ahead and translated this success to the squared circle and became a WWE wrestler back in the '90s.  Though many will always remember Shamrock for his time in the UFC.  

8. Georges St. Pierre

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NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Georges St-Pierre of Montreal, Quebec, Canada speaks at a press conference for UFC 111 at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 2010 in New York City. St-Pierre will face Dan Hardy of Nottingham UK in the Welterweight title bout. (Pho

Georges St. Pierre is perhaps the most dynamic champion in UFC history and is currently seen by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.  St. Pierre has dominated Welterweight since the early parts of his career and remains a force in the division that can't be matched.

St. Pierre is one of the most beloved fighters in the UFC, particularly in his native Canada.  His wrestling has revolutionized MMA and is the best in the sport today.  He still has many years ahead of him to fulfill his legacy and has been one of the most dominant champions in the history of the company.  Many wrestlers strive to emulate GSP's amazing background and still carry themselves with the same class that he does.  

7. B.J. Penn

B.J. Penn comes from a long lineage of world-class fighters and may be the best of the Penn men.  Despite recent struggles against Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, "Baby Jay" is one of the most dominant fighters of this era.  

The mark that he leaves on this generation is unparalleled.  Penn has become an icon world-over and now looks to re-gain his status as a deadly force.  He certainly didn't scared off Edgar in their two meetings, but now a third bout with Matt Hughes is approaching as Penn looks to return to the top.  

The WEC-UFC merger presents a multitude of opportunity for fighters like Penn who are in limbo currently.  It should be interesting to see how this plays out for Penn.  

6. Anderson Silva

Anderson "The Spider" Silva is the most precise striker in all of MMA.  He hits with a purpose and has pin-point accuracy in his striking.  What more can you ask for?  Not to mention that SIlva remains among the best in the world even in his mid-30s. 

Silva has penciled in his legacy in the UFC over the past few years and is surely a Hall of Famer.  His only blemish is often times he tends to get cocky and overlook opponents.  Then again, there are those nights when he's just that good.  

5. Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin put on the greatest fight in UFC history against Stephan Bonnar back in 2005.  It was amazing to see two gladiators fight for a UFC contract.  It was ultimately on this night that the UFC was put on the map by these two fighters and remain there forever.  

The tests that have been put before Griffin have all been successful for him.  He's one of the most likable fighters in the company and fans are loyal to him just for that one particular fight alone.  His talents aren't anything to brag about, but his heart and chin go a long way in making him a recognizable figure in the UFC.  

Without Griffin, the UFC may have never gotten this type of exposure.   

4. Chuck Liddell

"The Iceman" Chuck Liddell is the most marketable face in UFC history.  He's the one guy that remains synonymous with the sport no matter what.  His presence in the Octagon was felt heavily in the time period that he reigned at 205.  He was at one point the best in the world and ran through the UFC's Light Heavyweight Division. 

In their most shining moments, Liddell has delivered.  His reputation as a "fighting champion" made him even more likable for fans who always could count on Liddell to put on exciting fights.  

His rivalries with stars like Ortiz and Randy Couture among others helped shape his career and gain him even more exposure.  He put on some great fights in those series too.  

3. Matt Hughes

Matt Hughes is an interesting figure in UFC history.  He's easily the most underrated fighter in the history of the sport and is still taking names in 2010.  His skills are amazing and he dominated Welterweight before the GSP-era.  Hughes is a great all-around fighter and has so many ways to beat an opponent.

Hughes, along with Randy Couture, has been the one constant in the company and always a reliable worker.  Hughes is a 9-time Welterweight Champion and is already a Hall-of-Famer.  His legacy is already solidified, everything else is just extra.  

2. Randy Couture

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PHOENIX - AUGUST 13: Randy Couture watches the Strikeforce Challengers Main Card bout at Dodge Theater on August 13, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Randy Couture has helped re-define the idea of the "mixed martial artist."  He's dominated this sport in multiple weight classes over the past two decades and at age 47, Couture continues to amaze MMA fans everywhere with his talent.  

Couture helped shape the UFC into what it is today.  He's the most successful fighter in UFC history bar-none.  Couture's illustrious career has already earned him Hall-of-Fame honors and he's become a household name by now.  

Couture's courageous nature has helped further define his legacy as the legend of Randy Couture continues to grow.  

1. Royce Gracie

In a nutshell, Royce Gracie is Mixed Martial Arts.  He essentially helped make the sport what it is today and should be accredited for this.  His style was unbeatable back in the very beginning of UFC as his dominance in the tournaments helped form his legacy.

Gracie took on all comers in his prime, many of which often coming in the same night.  Amazing.  There will never be another fighter like Royce Gracie though many more Gracies have come out of the woodwork since.  Gracie is in a class all on his own and is a legend for his efforts.  

Without Royce Gracie, this entire world of MMA doesn't even exist.  It would have been an afterthought, not a mainstream product as it has become.