Throughout the years, we’ve witnessed some phenomenal talent displayed within the confines of the UFC’s octagon.
Stellar champions have impressed fanatics and drawn new viewers with exciting styles, slick submissions and devastating knockouts.
While most divisions tend to juggle champions, due to such evenly paired skill sets, some men have reached above and beyond the confines of nature and proven nearly unstoppable.
Before I offer a nod to the five greatest champions to compete for the promotion, I’d like to first give a nod to some worthy champions who just missed making this list.
Tito Ortiz: Ortiz helped shed light on the sport during its darkest time. He also held a firm grip on the light heavyweight title for some time. Limited opposition prevents him from making this list, but he’s a man worthy of respect, like him or not.
Rich Franklin: Before Anderson Silva joined the UFC’s ranks, Franklin was the legitimate owner of the middleweight title. Impressive wins over Evan Tanner and Nate Quarry highlight the peak of Rich’s title run.
B.J. Penn: The only reason B.J. didn’t earn a spot on this list is inconsistencies. He’s proven capable of beating nearly any man, and he’s been a terrific champion in the past. However, to be the best, you must perform at 150 percent and that means every time you enter the cage.
Lyoto Machida: Machida may not be as accomplished as many former champions, but he’s already proven he can beat just about any man alive, and he’s added some devastating techniques to punctuate his fighting style. This man could easily regain the light heavyweight title.