MMA is among the toughest sports on the planet, with the multiple disciplines required taking years to perfect. The art of pugilism, for instance, does not always come naturally to mixed martial artists.
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping knows a thing or two about boxing in MMA fights. Fast forward seven years later, and Bisping has now rolled out his list of the best boxers in the UFC. Let's take a look at some of the UFC’s top boxers.
1. Ilia Topuria
Unbeaten featherweight king Ilia Topuria is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of MMA’s all-time greatest boxers. The Spaniard arguably possesses the most refined kickboxing style in the UFC roster, always finding a way to create openings with his sensational footwork. The hype train is going strong for Topuria, and Bisping believes it's for a good reason.
"He is so precise," Bisping said. "The way he moves in and out of range, the footwork is fantastic. The combinations that he puts together are incredible."
After all, he proved against legendary fighter Alexander Volkanovski - a decorated boxer in his own right - that, even when he faces the most seasoned of operators, the 27-year-old carries the power to switch his opponent’s lights out at any moment.
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2. Dustin Poirier
At lightweight, Dustin Poirier has become one of the sport’s most spiteful finishers, amassing an incredible 16 victories via stoppage.
Known for his methodical approach to MMA, ‘The Diamond’ has married his technical prowess with a ruthless killer instinct, most notably securing back-to-back knockouts against McGregor. Key wins over the likes of Conor McGregor have been largely due to his crisp punches. Bisping explained how Poirier's stands out on his list.
"Unlike a lot of fighters on this list, he doesn't beat his opponents by overwhelming them with volume," Bisping said. "No, he's very strategic and he's very technical."
But perhaps his most polished display, one could say, came against Gaethje in 2018, when Poirier landed a sharp left hand before following the shot up with a blistering combination.
3. Max Holloway
Every Time Max Holloway has Pointed to the Ground in the Last 10 Seconds
In truth, Holloway’s ability to stand and trade with his opponents - often outlasting them in a toe-to-toe exchange - can largely be explained by his remarkable durability. A fighter who needs no introduction is Max Holloway. The former featherweight king continues to be relevant in MMA despite his losses to Volkanovski. Part of that has to do with the stellar boxing of "Blessed."
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"Max, with his striking, the way he switches stances with the straight shots that he uses and the toughness, the chin that he has," Bisping said. "You very rarely see Max Holloway even get wobbled."
With nearly half of his victories ending inside the distance, the American is able to befuddle his opponents by seamlessly switching stance, allowing him to land his shots from unorthodox angles.
But even when considering the enthralling battles throughout his illustrious career, it would be impossible to look past Holloway’s finish at the death against Justin Gaethje, who succumbed to his opponent’s relentless onslaught at UFC 300.
4. Conor McGregor
Regardless of what his future may hold, Conor McGregor is undoubtedly one of the most lethal punchers to grace the UFC. Despite getting comprehensively outboxed by Floyd Mayweather back in 2017, the Irishman has forged a formidable legacy for himself in the octagon, boasting an 80 percent knockout ratio in MMA’s flagship organization.
His most emphatic finish, though, came against Jose Aldo in 2015, when the combat sports star walked the Brazilian onto one of his signature left hands, halting proceedings within the first 13 seconds.
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5. Alex Pereira
Adopting a fluid but explosive kickboxing style, Alex Pereira has cemented his status as one of the UFC’s most prolific knockout artists. The 37-year-old has ended four of his last seven contests with his fists, dispatching the likes of MMA legend Israel Adesanya and top contender Khalil Rountree Jr in dramatic fashion.
His stoppage against Sean Strickland back in 2022, however, was arguably the Brazilian’s most devastating. It was a perfectly timed left hook that sent the American crashing down to the canvas, with Pereira proving that, even after boiling himself down to 185 lbs, he still carries dynamite in both hands.
Additional Fighters to Watch
Michael Bisping also highlighted several other fighters known for their boxing skills:
- Alexander Volkanovski: The reigning UFC Featherweight Champion is known for his sense of timing and distance. "Volk's sense of timing and distance, that sets him apart from everybody else," Bisping said. "He also has exceptional footwork and very, very good movement. Not to mention his cardio's off the chain, he's got big power, and he's extremely disciplined."
- Sergei Pavlovich: A rising heavyweight who has finished all of his opponents via KO or TKO in his winning streak. "This man just needs one connection with his hands and you are going to sleep," Bisping said.