Disclaimer: This list should was made subjectively, and should be taken as such, but you already knew that. Its basis is: in-ring performance and out-of-ring personality.
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1
- Junior dos Santos
- "Cigano"
- 21-10-0
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It's been an impressively destructive journey through the UFC for Junior, who can turn a fight in the blink of an eye. Just as cool is his humble demeanor.
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2
- Lyoto Machida
- "The Dragon"
- 26-12-0
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Machida, like his training friend Anderson Silva, makes MMA an art. He's humble, and I prefer to see his style as suspenseful and patient rather than slow and boring.
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3
- Chael Sonnen
- 30-17-1
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The most outspoken (and respectful, depending on if you're Chael or not) UFC fighter is one of few who have a big mouth and big talent, and who always come to fight with near-perfect wrestling.
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4
- Benson Henderson
- "Smooth"
- 30-12-0
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Ben's performances are amazing and his ability speaks for itself.
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5
- Nick Diaz
- 26-10-0, 2 NC
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The bad boy from California always seems to take offense, whether he's in the ring or not, and he will let you know why he doesn't like you. Either way, he always comes to fight and doesn't slow down.
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6
- Cain Velasquez
- 14-3-0
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Velasquez is capable of beating anyone and is exciting to watch, especially when using his boxing and wrestling, which he does all the time.
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7
- Nate Diaz
- 21-13-0
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Similar to his brother, Nate has a walk-forward-with-your-hands-down style that may or may not be effective but is surely entertaining.
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8
- Vitor Belfort
- "The Phenom"
- 26-14-0, 1 NC
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Belfort is experienced and is very good at finishing fights. He believes in himself to do his best and isn't arrogant despite knowing what he can do.
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9
- Anderson Silva
- "The Spider"
- 34-11-0, 1 NC
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"The Spider" is one reason why MMA is an art. Period.
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10
- Johny Hendricks
- "Big Rig"
- 18-8-0
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11
- Rich Franklin
- "Ace" | 29-7-0, 1 NC
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"Ace" is a veteran who has stood the test of time and faced the best. His bright personality and exciting fights are both impressive.
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12
- Carlos Condit
- "The Natural Born Killer" | 32-14-0
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Condit is as tough as they come and will stand with anyone. He also happens to be down-to-earth.
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13
- Fedor Emelianenko
- "The Last Emperor" | 40-7-0, 1 NC
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In Emelianenko's heyday he looked like an undersized robot in the ring as he took on larger opponents and embarrassed them methodically.
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14
- BJ Penn
- "The Prodigy" | 16-14-2
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Penn is a nice guy who has faced the best time and time again and is still great at what he does.
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15
- Maurício Rua
- "Shogun" | 27-14-1
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"Shogun" has been plagued with injury, but that hasn't stopped him from being at or near the top for a long, long time.
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16
- Quinton Jackson
- "Rampage" | 37-14-0
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"Rampage" may be the funniest fighter around, and he is good at knocking people out.
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17
- Frank Mir
- 19-13-0
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Frank may seem stuck up but is dangerously good on the ground, is a future hall of famer, and is true to himself in commenting on himself and analyzing fights.
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18
- Georges St-Pierre
- "Rush" | 26-2-0
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Although humble and skilled, some say "Rush" is boring, but that's because they expect him to finish when in reality he does what is best to keep his title. I can appreciate that.
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19
- Frankie Edgar
- "The Answer" | 24-11-1
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Edgar always fights hard and is tough as nails.
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20
- José Aldo
- "Junior" | 32-8-0
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Aldo is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter and is a humble and exciting champion.
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21
- Stephan Bonnar
- "The American Psycho" | 15-9-0
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Cool dude, good fighter.
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22
- Josh Koscheck
- "Kos" | 17-11-0
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23
- Kenny Florian
- "KenFlo" | 14-6-0
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24
- Forrest Griffin
- 19-7-0
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25
- Diego Sanchez
- "Nightmare" | 30-14-0
My Summary