Older UFC stars helped generate millions of dollars in pay-per-view sales, but times have changed, and Dana White’s latest century-long show proved that.
Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, and Georges St-Pierre are just a few of the up-and-coming fighters who made the transition from mixed martial arts and left a star-shaped hole.
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White will rely more on UFC star power than big-name athletes in 2024 Credit: Getty
Of course, Conor McGregor helped bridge the gap, but new warriors are emerging and looking to knock the Irishman off his perch.
Following a record-setting showing at UFC 300, talkSPORT.com ranked the top 10 fighters who command attention every time they speak and draw large crowds every time they fight.
#10 Paddy Pimblett
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Pimblett is fresh off the biggest win of his career against Tony Ferguson Credit: Getty
Despite being 5-5 in the UFC, some people are still not convinced that Pimblett is the real deal. Either way, MMA fans are always tuning in to watch “The Baddy,” and if he can break into the top 15 lightweights in 2024, his star power will only continue to grow.
#9 Sean Strickland
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Strickland has never shied away from controversy Credit: Getty
Strickland’s short-lived reign as middleweight champion was checkered to say the least. The eccentric American is one of the most polarizing figures in MMA, but he certainly knows how to create buzz about his career even when he’s not fighting.
#8 Khamzat Chimaev
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Chimaev is scheduled to face Robert Whittaker in June Credit: Getty
There’s nothing more appealing to fight fans than a fearsome Russian running through his opponents like Chimaev did early in his career. The 13-0 contender is on the brink of a title shot and could vault himself to the top of this list if he can become UFC champion.
#7 Alex Pereira
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Pereira is a fearsome fighter Credit: Getty
Dana White clearly thinks Pereira is a big star. Because he trusted kickboxing genius Pereira to headline UFC 300, and he nailed it. Poatan’s tremendous KO power and willingness to fight anyone have also made him a fan favorite.
#6 Dustin Poirier
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Poirier still chasing first UFC title Credit: Getty
Poirier was pretty much the man in the UFC for years, then defeated Conor McGregor twice and became one of MMA’s biggest stars. Win, lose or draw, fans always tune in to watch “Diamond” because he never puts on a boring fight.
#5 Sean O’Malley
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O’Malley erased his only loss at UFC 299 Credit: Getty
O’Malley is a KO artist with rainbow hair, celebrity friends, and a wild personal life. Basically, he’s a promoter’s dream and now holds the bantamweight gold medal and the sky really is the limit.
#4 Max Holloway
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Holloway face-plants Justin Gaethje with 1 second left Credit: Getty
Amazingly, Max Holloway has been in the UFC for over a decade and has never had a boring fight. “Blessed” made headlines with his “best KO of all time” at UFC 300, earned him a $600,000 bonus, and became a bigger star than ever.
#3 Israel Adesanya
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Adesanya prepares to bounce back from perhaps the biggest upset of all time Credit: Getty – Contributor
Anderson Silva’s dominance at middleweight seemed unmatched until Adesanya came along and circled the division. ‘Stylebender’ has suffered some setbacks recently, but his star power remains strong as he prepares for his long-awaited return.
#2 Jon Jones
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‘Bones’ is the consensus of mixed martial arts GOAT Credit: AFP
Jones is the greatest fighter of all time, and his epic run in the UFC has dominated legends, peers, and a wave of new fighters. A two-division champion, fans are as focused on Jones’ personal life as they are on his martial arts career.
#1 Conor McGregor
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There may never be a bigger UFC star than McGregor Credit: Zuffa LLC via Getty
McGregor is the biggest star the UFC has ever produced.
‘Notorious’ may hold this honor until the end, but he is now keen to improve upon his legacy.
The former two-division champion hasn’t fought in three years, but is still an active UFC fighter, with a return fight scheduled for June 29th at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler.
Honorable Mentions: Alexander Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, Ilya Topria, Tom Aspinall, Michael Chandler, Colby Covington
