MY 2020 TOP 20 POUND 4 POUND UFC FIGHTERS
As I stated before, I had been thinking of doing one of these again for sometime, but now there is no better time, seen as we have all the time in the world during this lockdown and especially as there have been no fights.
As like many p4p lists, a lot is up for debate and I am sure many will have their reservations and will disagree. But that is the beauty of these lists, its always up for debate. However, these are my decisions and I am sticking them.
1.KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV – 28-0-0
Unbeaten and largely untroubled in 28 fights, Khabib is a very rare talent. The current lightweight champion known for wrestling bears in his younger days, is a ferocious wrestler and ground and pound merchant. When he gets a grip on his opponents, it’s very hard to get him off, I have not yet seen a fight where he has not dominated his opponent or they have given him a real hard test, I also cannot remember him losing many rounds. His 12 fight UFC win streak puts him joint 4th on the all time list. Injuries in his UFC early days had hindered him but he has seemed to get over that more recently and has been going from strength to strength. The impending fight with Tony Ferguson would have given us a real indication on his level of greatness and that fight still needs to happen.
2.JON “Bones” JONES – 26-1-1nc
The current UFC light heavyweight champion is unbeaten (if you put aside a DQ defeat) in the UFC with a 17 fight win streak, the longest ever thus far in UFC history. I acknowledge he maybe no1 on many lists, but for me, due to his recent wins not being as dominant and convincing as what we have come to expect, he is no2. With that said, there is no doubting he is one of the most gifted fighters to ever step foot in the octagon, with tools and an arsenal like no other. He can break opponents down and beat them in various innovative ways. That fact that he was the youngest ever UFC champion at 23 and is still on top now almost 10 years later says it all. However, I do believe all his outside issues and Father Time has slowed him slightly and in my opinion he’s been lucky to get past his last two opponents. A rematch with Dominic Reyes is a must and it will be interesting to see if he’ll still be champion after that.
3.HENRY CEJUDO – 15-2-0
After losing a title fight in the first round to Demetrious Johnson, then losing via split decision to Joseph Benavidez due to a point deduction for low blows in 2016, he regrouped and reassembled. In 2017 he beat Wilson Reis then Sergio Pettis, then in 2018 won the UFC flyweight title against the then p4p no1 Johnson in a rematch via split decision, where I thought he was slightly fortunate. Nevertheless, he has since gone from strength to strength. He destroyed TJ Dillashaw in the first round to defend his title. He then moved up to bantamweight to beat Marlon Moraes to become a two weight world champion. He has since vacated the flyweight to concentrate on bantamweight. The 2008 Olympic gold medallist has seemed to improve with every fight and his confidence matched with his strength, high level wrestling ability and improving punching power is a real problem for the bantamweights.
4.ISRAEL ADESANYA – 19-0-0
In just over two short years in the UFC, Adesanya constructed one of the most meteoric rises in MMA history, racking up 8 wins, putting him joint 8th in the UFC’s all time winning streak list, on the road to claiming the UFC middleweight title. His exceptional striking ability is superior to most and he uses his range and reach to perfection. This is combined with his movement and devastating finishing ability. Unbeaten in his MMA career and with his last five victories over Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero, it holds up against any other in the UFC and to top if off, the thought that its possible the best is yet to come from him is very a scary one.
5.KAMARU USMAN – 16-1-1
The Nigerian nightmare had put fighters on notice for a while, and it was only a matter of time until he fulfilled his destiny by becoming the welterweight champion. His sole MMA defeat came in 2013, since then, he has been dominant and flawless, taking apart opponents at will. From his introduction in TUF21, he was one to watch, he racked up two wins on the show then in the finale, to win it for his team. His stifling and suffocating wrestling is a real problem, as he seems to be able to take opponents down with ease, he has excellent cardio, a great chin and is supremely strong. He is on a 11 fight win streak putting him joint 5th on the UFC’s all time win streak list. His last two victories, winning the title against Tyron Woodley then defending it against Colby Covington in a fight of the year contender are up there for two of the best back to back performances in the UFC.
6.STIPE MIOCIC – 19-3-0
After losing his heavyweight title to Daniel Cormier in 2018, he returned in the rematch 12 months later to put in a masterful performance in August 2019, to become a two time UFC heavyweight champion. Before his defeat, he was on a six fight winning streak, taking on the best the division had to offer, with only one of those six fights going the distance, that was another masterful display against the hard hitting Francis Ngannou. The part time fireman has proven time and again he is one of the hardest punchers out there and a third rubber match with Cormier is definitely on the cards for both men to clear any doubt.
7.DANIEL CORMER – 22-2-1nc
If it wasn’t for losing his heavyweight title in a rematch to Miocic, he would be higher on the list. It was a truly amazing feat when he moved up to heavyweight to beat Miocic in July 2018, to become a two weight world champion, while holding the light heavyweight title. An exceptional wrestler with deceiving strength and punching power, he is used to being undersized and upsetting the odds. A true underdog, his feud with Jon Jones is legendary and not getting a win against his nemesis must hurt. However, wins against the likes of Dan Henderson, Anthony Johnson (twice) Anderson Silva, Alex Gustafsson and Derrick Lewis proves his vast abilities, naturally coming to the end of his career, he will hope for a rubber match with Stiopic to further cement his legacy.
8.CONOR MCGREGOR – 22-4-0
In all honesty, I did debate this and really wanted to put him lower in my list. However, being one of the very few fighters to have wins in three weight classes in the UFC and the very first simultaneous two weight world champion in the UFC, its kind of hard to place him lower. That said, he did have two defeats in his last five, but one of those defeats he avenged against Nate Diaz and he is campaigning for a rematch with Khabib. A polarising figure who possesses devastating knockout power and probably one of the pound for pound hardest punchers in the UFC, his last fight came at welterweight and the fact that he can move through divisions and perform at the highest level, makes him a huge threat and a pretty high main stay on these lists.
9.ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI – 21-1-0
Unbeaten in the UFC, Volkanovski’s three year, 8 fight winning streak, which places him joint 8th on the UFC’s all time list, culminated in winning the featherweight title in December 2019, against Max Holloway via a unanimous points victory. Previous to that, he defeated Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes and Darren Elkins in impressive fashion to get his title shot. An extremely strong freestyle fighter with powerful wrestling, accurate punches and lethal leg kicks, his ability to go wherever a fight takes him and be dominant is his real strength. Further tests are ahead of him but his sole loss came in 2013 and since has grown and improved with every fight. It’s possible a rematch with Holloway is on the cards, if he gets past that nobody could question his p4p status.
10.MAX “Blessed” HOLLOWAY – 21-5-0
The former dominant featherweight champion was unbeaten since he lost to Conor McGregor in 2013. Since that time, he racked up an impressive 13 wins in just five years, putting him joint third on the all time win streak list in the UFC. Holloway has freakish stamina and laser accurate stand up strikes that wears down his opponents. He recently moved up to challenge for the lightweight title against Dustin Poirier the man he lost his UFC debut to and was defeated again. His last two fights was a title defence against Frankie Edgar, then the title defeat via points to Volkanovksi. I’m sure he wants and expects the rematch to reclaim his title and make further history in the division.
11.TONY “El Cucuy” FERGUSON – 25-3-0
A true enigma of the sport, who is unbeaten in his last 12 fights, putting him joint 4th on the UFC’s all time win streak list. An extremely unorthodox mixed martial artist known for is unusual but effective training methods, his unpredictability is his strength. A highly skilled fighter who is equally proficient on the ground or standing. He won the interim lightweight title in Oct 2017, but was stripped due to injury while preparing for a fourth time, for a fight with Khabib. He’s had wins against the likes of Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone. Rarely in a bad fight, seven of his last eight has been fight of the night or performance of the night, but it’s the Khabib fight, cancelled for a fifth time now that everyone wants and needs.
12. JORGE MASVIDAL – 35-13-0
A real veteran of the fight game, you would be hard pressed to find a fighter who had a better 2019 in the UFC, which culminated in winning the BMF belt against Nate Diaz. A former backyard fighter, Masvidal had a string of close points decision defeats, including no less than five split decision losses. That prompted this new found ruthless streak where he probably had two of the best back to back knockouts in the UFC over Darren Till and the record breaking five second knockout of Ben Askren. Aggressive and relentless walk forward striking is now his official fighting style, that combined with his supreme confidence, makes him a real threat for the welterweight title.
12.DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO 19-1-0
He should really be on this list as the UFC flyweight champion, however, his ill discipline in missing weight for that title fight cost him. Nevertheless, Figueiredo has only one defeat in his mixed martial arts career, which was a points decision to Jussier Formiga in 2019. Since then he reeled off three impressive wins against three very high calibre opponents in Alexandre Pantoja, Tim Elliot and Joseph Benavidez, where he should have won the title. He is a fearless fighter who walks forward and throws every punch with ruthless intentions. However, you could be deceived to think that’s all he is, but he is also decent on the ground and has several submission victories however, stand up is his forte and he will be chomping at the bit for another title shot.
14,DOMINICK REYES – 12-1-0
Although highly inexperienced compared to most on this list, his two and half year UFC career has made many sit up and take notice. I personally think he was extremely unlucky to not walk away with the light heavyweight title in February, many have their own opinions but there is no denying the gave Jon Jones a real scare. A former American football player, his athleticism helps his exceptional ability, combined that with a devastating left hook, makes him a unique and scary fighter, He demonstrated his abilities with impressive wins over Jared Cannonier, Ovince Saint Preux, Volkan Oezdemir and Chris Weidman. A rematch with Jon Jones should be on the cards, where I feel he will be confident of winning the belt and upsetting the applecart.
15. TYRON WOODLEY – 19-4-1
Up until he lost the welterweight title to Usman in March 2019, Woodley was on a seven fight unbeaten streak with six wins, one draw and five title defences. Known more as a wrestler, he generally used his superior strength but impressively developed a high level stand up, which has made him a more well rounded fighter. Although Usman more of less dominated their title fight, he wasn’t exactly beat up, he claimed an off day and certainly believes he has more in the tank. He was due to fight Leon Edwards recently, which would have been real interesting for both men in the title hunt and for this list.
16.ROBERT WHITTAKER – 20-5-0
Before being stopped by Adesanya, the former middleweight champ was on a nine fight winning streak, putting him joint 7th in the all time winning streak list. Some may argue that it was ill advised to return from injury straight into a title fight but I feel he had no other option. Previous to that, he had two gruelling, brutal wins against Yoel Romero, where they literally went toe to toe and he showed his immense strength and toughness. This was added to wins against Ronaldo Souza, Derek Brunson, Rafael Natal, Uriah Hall and Brad Tavares. Whittaker is an old school, strong, tough stand up fighter who rarely takes a back step, however, injuries has been a major concern. He was scheduled to fight Jared Cannonier in March, which would have been another brutal affair but the fight was postponed.
17.DUSTIN POIRIER – 25-6-1nc
This is one I debated long and hard about. I was not really convinced but when you look at his resume, its hard not to give him some kind of recognition. Although he recently lost his lightweight title to Khabib in convincing fashion, he did put in a superb performance to win it against Max Holloway, beating him for a second time, which is no easy feat. Before that, he had wins over Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis and Jim Miller which is a very impressive quartet of names. Poirier is generally a stand up fighter, with slick movement, also good boxing ability and power, on the feet he is capable of giving anyone a fight and is good enough to still be a factor in the division.
18.COLBY COVINGTON – 15-2-0
Covington is a polarising figure who is not for everyone. The general consensus is his controversial nature has talked himself into obtaining big fights, but I don’t agree with that fully. Although he lost the welterweight title against Usman in December 2019, it was a fight of the year contender, where both fighters who are wrestlers by nature, pushed each other on the feet for five rounds. Previous to that, he was on a seven fight wins streak. He has impressive wrestling and almost freakish cardio, also his take downs and take down defence is impeccable. His wins over the likes of Damien Maia, Rafael dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler were very impressive and you can write him off at your peril.
19.LEON EDWARDS – 18-3-0
Many may raise eyebrows at this, but I think Edwards is slept on, Since he lost to Usman via points in 2015, he has gone on a eight fight winning streak putting him joint 8th in the UFC’s all time winning streak list. Although he does not possess huge punching power, he is a slick, strong boxer with great movement, cardio, deceiving strength and a decent chin. With wins over the likes of Vicente Luque, Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson and Rafael dos Anjos his resume is impressive but I think he needs a real big fight to fully put his name on the map and justify his inclusion on this list,
20. FRANCIS NGANNOU – 14-3-0
Although inexperienced since he started his MMA career in 2013, he is learning with every fight and seems to be getting better and scarier with each outing. There is no doubting he is one of the hardest punchers in the UFC, with some devastating, scary, highlight reel knockouts. Stamina is his main issue and the two defeats he had in the UFC, especially the title fight loss to Miocic, that was the biggest factor, along with his ground game. Nevertheless, every fight starts on the feet and when Ngannou hits someone they stay hit. Since his last defeat in July 2018, his next three wins came against Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, all in the first round. If he can improve his take down defence and stamina, i’m sure it will not be long until another title fight is on the cards and maybe a move up on this list.
