The UFC is the gold standard when it comes to MMA fighters that want to showcase their skills against the best of the best. The five mentioned below though are in a league of their own. These fighters turn into killers the second the ref says “Let’s fight” and almost always put on a great show. Here’s my pick for the top 5 most violent fighters in the UFC today…
#5 – Zhang Weili 21-1 (10 Knockouts)
Zhang Weili came into the UFC in August of 2018 and less than a year later she became the UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. That sentence alone almost seems unbelievable, but when you see how she rearranged Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s face at UFC 248 it all makes sense. Sure, she only has 5 fights in the UFC, but Weili vs JJ will go down in history as one of the greatest fights in UFC History…and not just Women’s MMA, ALL of UFC history. From Weili’s clinch strikes, to her hooks, to her devastating knee strikes, Weili is the future of Women’s MMA and she will hold the belt for a very long time. I highly recommend checking out her success in Kunlun where she racked up an 11 fight win streak with most ending in a KO.
#4 – Calvin Kattar – 26-4 (22 Knockouts)
When it comes to violence, Calvin Kattar delivers. With KO wins over Jeremy Stevens, Shane Burgos, and Ricardo Lamas, Kattar lays it all out in the octagon and demolishes his opponents. With his recent decision over Dan Ige, he not only proved he can deliver devastating knockouts, but can also bang it out for 5 long rounds against anyone in the Featherweight division. Kattar in my opinion definitely has what it takes to be a future Featherweight champion, but currently the division is stacked with top notch competition. It will be interesting to see who the UFC gives Kattar next, but I guarantee it will be a barn burner.
#3 – Francis Ngannou 15-3 (11 Knockouts)
No one in the UFC Heavyweight division hits as hard as Francis Ngannou. No one. Sure, Stipe hits hard, and so does Curtis Blaydes, but I challenge you to find another heavyweight knockout like Ngannou vs Overeem. It was by far the best UFC knockout of 2017 (and the fact that I was able to witness it live in Detroit at UFC 218 is just icing on the cake) and I can’t wait to see Ngannou fight again. With wins over JDS, Cain Velasquez, and his 20 second 1st round dismantling of previously undefeated fighter Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Ngannou totally has potential to win the belt if he makes changes from his loss against current champ Stipe Miocic.
#2 – Tony Ferguson 25-4 (12 Knockouts)
Tony Ferguson is not human. I repeat, Tony Ferguson is not human. With notable Lightweight wins over fighters such Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone, and Kevin Lee, Tony Ferguson doesn’t just win, he creates a blood bath every time he enters the octagon. With the combination of his signature elbows, brutal clinch strikes, and an arsenal of submissions, Ferguson is one of the most violent fighters of all time. Tony Ferguson went on a 12 fight win streak in one of the hardest divisions in the UFC before losing in the 5th round to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, but I have faith he will bounce back and continue to put on a clinic when he re-enters the ring. I’m praying the rumors are true and the UFC books Tony Ferguson vs Dustin Poirier because that has Fight Of The Year written all over it.
#1 – Justin Gaethje 22-2 (19 Knockouts)
Speaking of Tony Ferguson, the #1 spot goes to another man in the Lightweight division who broke Ferguson’s 12 fight win streak, Justin Gaethje. With nicknames like “The Highlight” and “The Most Violent Man In MMA”, it’s really no surprise that Gaethje takes the top spot on this list. His complete domination of Ferguson was both shocking and honestly hard to watch. Gaethje doesn’t come into the octagon to point fight, he doesn’t lay and pray, he spends all rounds trying to break you. I think what makes Gaethje so special is that he can adapt and change over time. He has grown drastically since his back to back loses to Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez. He’s also in the meantime racked up a 4 fight knockout streak, and is set to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov (unbeaten at 28-0) at UFC 254 on October 24th. More on that fight soon…
