The MMA GOAT debate. A debate that has been contested since the birth of MMA, and a discussion that will continue to grow for as long as MMA continues to grow. Who truly is the best MMA fighter in each weight class ever? Who is the greatest?
What do we consider when we regard greatness? Quality of opponents faced? Length of title reign? Entertainment factor? All of these things must be taken into account when debating the GOAT of the sport, however, this is especially apt when considering the GOATs of each weight class, which is what we are going to do.
We’ve already debated the MMA GOAT question and have looked at all of the women’s divisions, men’s flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight. But now it’s time to look at the rest of the UFC roster.
The MMA GOAT debate will be settled (for now). We will look at the GOATs of each division in comparison to the current UFC champions of their respective divisions.
MMA GOAT Debate – How Far Off Are Current UFC Champions?
Lightweight
Current Champion – Ilia Topuria
GOAT – Khabib Nurmagomedov
The GOAT at lightweight is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although this is contentious, there’s a very logical debate as to why this is the case. He retired undefeated at 29-0 with 19 finishes. Although he only made three defences, they were against well-respected, world-class fighters in Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, notching two performance of the night bonuses.
There is a shout for Islam Makhachev to be the lightweight GOAT as he has the most title defences; however, the quality of opponent hasn’t quite been there for Makhachev. Although he notched back-to-back victories against Alexander Volkanovski, he was a featherweight coming up to lightweight and on the second occasion, came up on short notice. He also beat Renato Moicano on a day’s notice, someone who had no business being in a title fight.
Ilia Topuria hasn’t had enough time at lightweight as of yet. He’s 1-0 at 155lbs, however, he is undefeated, is a former featherweight king and has huge potential at lightweight. Although he isn’t booked as of yet, there’s a good chance that if he continues his recent form, he can break Makhachev’s record and become the lightweight GOAT. Only time will tell, however.
Welterweight
Current Champion – Jack Della Maddalena
GOAT – Georges St-Pierre
Unfortunately for the current champion, Jack Della Maddalena, this one isn’t even close. Although JDM has been on a tear since joining the UFC, he’s yet to make a single title defence. Granted, he only won the belt in May.
With that being said, Georges St-Pierre made nine title defences across an incredible 2,064 day reign. He retired from the welterweight division as champion and, although he has two losses on his record, he’s avenged both of these. He’s headlined 13 PPVs and has been a role model for all MMA fighters.
Sorry JDM, GSP is arguably the GOAT of the entirety of MMA, not just the 170lbs division.
Middleweight
Current Champion – Khamzat Chimaev
GOAT – Anderson Silva
Much like JDM, Khamzat Chimaev needs to really, truly make a name for himself at 185lbs with multiple title defences. He only won the belt at UFC 319, so it’s understandable that he isn’t yet booked. It’s worth noting that he’s undefeated but has only had 15 fights and only one five-rounder. He’s also had only nine UFC fights.
Anderson Silva has 10 middleweight title defences. Enough said.
The Spider dominated the 185lbs division from 2006-2012 and was a megastar. No fewer than 18 PPVs were headlined by Silva throughout his career and although it ended with multiple losses, his hall of fame run cements him as the middleweight GOAT, without question.
Light Heavyweight
Current Champion – Alex Pereira
GOAT – Jon Jones
Alex Pereira is a scary prospect. There is a good chance that he could become a three weight world champion. He’s a two-time light heavyweight champion and blasted Magomed Ankalaev (the only man to beat him at 205lbs) away in their rematch in a mere 80 seconds.
The issue is, although he has seven light heavyweight fights, he’s only faced five opponents. He’s rematched Ankalev and Jiri Prochazka, beaten former champion, Jan Blachowicz by split decision and picked up two more victories. With that being said, those two victories were against Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr, certainly not the stella names that are on Jon Jones’ record. It will be almost impossible for him to achieve similar names on his record as Bones.
This isn’t entirely his fault, however. Jones was champion at just 23 years old when he became champion, giving him a number of years at the top. He was also champion at a time where the division was stacked. Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and Daniel Cormier are all names that are on the list of fighters that Jones faced and dominated throughout his reign. There’s also a strong argument for Jones being the MMA GOAT, not just at 205.
There is a good chance that we see these two men face off at some point, which could put the debate to bed.
Heavyweight
Current Champion – Tom Aspinall
GOAT – Stipe Miocic
The MMA GOAT debate at heavyweight is a highly contested one. It isn’t Stipe Miocic outright; there are questions around it. He holds the record of most consecutive title defences at heavyweight with three, however, he twice lost the belt and was unable to win it back from Jon Jones when they faced off in 2024.
Tom Aspinall is yet to make a defence of his undisputed belt, however, has one defence of his interim belt before being upgraded to the undisputed champion. His UFC record is almost flawless, sitting at 8-1 with eight finishes. His only loss came as a result of an injury.
His skillset, ability and strength of schedule could lead to him being crowned the GOAT and ending the MMA GOAT debate at heavyweight, however, he’ll have to get through Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 first.
