MMA: The 5 Greatest Fighters of All Time by Weight Division

What is greatness?  Is it simply the numbers, or does the impact and influence on the sport weigh more heavily?

With the sport's growth and consolidation under Zuffa, we keep fast approaching the rubicon in which the accomplishments of contemporary professionals will eclipse the accomplishments of the sport's pioneers.

Of course the early pioneers will have have their place in history , but their accomplishments will not be able to extend past a historical context in the face of a new generation of champions and dominance.

Rankings are always going to be somewhat controversial, but the fighters recognized in this article have proven to be championship material and important figures.

There is always so much more behind what you can tell simply from a fighter's record. For whatever reasons they made the list, these guys are proven winners.

These are the greatest fighters in history by division. 

Below 155lbs (135 & 145lbs)

The spotlight has only recently begun to shine on the outstanding fighters of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

Before that, the pioneering fighters of these divisions had a tough time finding quality competition their own size, and would often fight out of their natural division in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Because of this turbulent historical context for the sub-155lbs fighters, I am making a super list to include the greatest fighters of both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

As these divisions continue to prosper under the UFC, we will no doubt see a handful of names separate themselves from the pack.

1. Urijah Faber
2. Jose Aldo
3. Norifumi Yamamoto
4. Miguel Torres
5. Alexandre Franca Nogueira
6. Hatsu Hioki
7. Jeff Curran
8. Ivan Menjivar
9. Dominick Cruz
10. Mark Hominick

Lightweight (155lbs)

The history of the lightweight division has been turbulent, but there have certainly been some champions that stand out.

MMA in the west has been better organized for growth opportunities, but Japan has had a plethora of talented lighter weight fighters over the years, making these rankings innately contentious.

There are a handful of top lightweights looking to rule over the division over the next few years, but for now, these are the guys that earned this place in history.

1. 1. BJ Penn
2. 2. Shinya Aoki
3. 3. Takanori Gomi
4. 4. Sean Sherk
5. 5. Jens Pulver

honorable mention: Gilbert Melendez, Frankie Edgar

Welterweight (170lbs)

The main debate here is if GSP has overtaken Matt Hughes for the No. 1 spot. Being a pioneer with two dominant title runs, and still being a major factor in the division, many think Matt Hughes is still the greatest welterweight of all time.

If GSP defeats Jake Shields, however, it will be hard to deny him the top spot.

1. 1. Georges St. Pierre
2. 2. Matt Hughes
3. 3. Pat Miletich
4. 4. Hayato Sakurai
5. 5. Jon Fitch and Jake Shields

honorable mention: Anderson Silva, Carlos Newton, 

Middleweight (185lbs)

There is no debate here for the top spot.  Anderson Silva has left destruction in his wake, and the door is slowly opening for some new names to come and separate themselves from the pack in the middleweight division.

1. 1. Anderson Silva
2. 2. Rich Franklin
3. 3. Dan Henderson
4. 4. Evan Tanner
5. 5. Paulo Filho

honorable mention: Kazuo Misaki, Murilo Bustamante

Light Heavyweight (205lbs)

All of the top five light heavyweight fighters have fought at least two of the other guys on the list, making an inconsistent mix of wins and losses.  

For me, Chuck earns the top spot for his epic UFC run, but no matter who your pick is, most would agree these are top 5. 

1. 1. Chuck Liddell
2. 2. Wanderlei Silva
3. 3. Tito Ortiz
4. 4. Mauricio Rua
5. 5. Quintion Jackson

honorable mention: Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin, Frank Shamrock

Heavyweight (265lbs)

Assuming Fedor Emelianenko never signs with the UFC, he will almost certainly go down as the greatest fighter to have never fought for the organization.

He may be undersized to be matched against today's heavyweight athletes, but Emelianenko's accomplishments at heavyweight are simply unmatched.

1. 1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. 2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
3. 3. Randy Couture
4. 4. Mirko Filipovic
5. 5. Tim Sylvia 

honorable mention: Mark Coleman, Brock Lesnar, Dan Severn, and Bas Rutten!