MMA
Best British UFC Fighters of All Time - A Definitive Ranking
This article ranks the best British UFC fighters of all time, featuring the first-ever UFC champions from the UK, Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards.
British fighter Michael Bisping//Getty Images
Mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship was once considered an American sport, due to the dominance of fighters from North America and the fanbase. But, nowadays, the sport is globally recognised, and there are fighters competing from all corners of the world.
Like most of Europe, Britain has improved tremendously in MMA over the past decade. And since Michael Bisping became the first UFC champion from the UK, this has only increased the amount of quality fighters coming from the British Isles.
In this article, SportsBoom has ranked and analysed the best British UFC fighters of all time.
Britain's Tom Aspinall holds the record for the shortest average fight time in UFC history with a time of 2:02.
Critical Consensus Rankings: Best British UFC Fighters
The Critical Consensus Table combines a fighter's UFC record, championships they've won, notable victories and their key strengths.
Critical Consensus
| Rank | Fighter | UFC Record | Championships | Notable Wins | Strengths |
| 1 | Michael Bisping | 20-9 | UFC Middleweight Champion | Luke Rockhold, Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson | Technical striking, endurance, adaptability |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 13-3-1 NC | UFC Welterweight Champion | Kamaru Usman, Rafael dos Anjos, Nate Diaz | Striking precision, defensive grappling, composure |
| 3 | Tom Aspinall | 6-1 | Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion | Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura | Speed, power, technical grappling |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 10-1 | None | Dan Hooker, Sodiq Yusuff, Calvin Kattar | Technical striking, fight IQ, well-rounded game |
| 5 | Darren Till | 6-5-1 | None | Stephen Thompson, Donald Cerrone, Kelvin Gastelum | Striking power, Muay Thai skills, aggression |
| 6 | Paul Craig | 9-7-1 | None | Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill, Mauricio Rua | Submission grappling, resilience, tenacity |
| 7 | Dan Hardy | 6-4 | None | Mike Swick, Marcus Davis | Dynamic striking, resilience, charisma |
| 8 | Jimi Manuwa | 6-6 | None | Corey Anderson, Ovince Saint Preux, Jan Błachowicz | Knockout power, striking technique, explosiveness |
Best British UFC Fighters of All Time: Breakdown
In this section, we have provided readers with a breakdown of the best British UFC fighters of all time, including those fighters from the list above.
1. Michael Bisping
UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping//Getty Images
- UFC Record: 20-9
- Championships: UFC Middleweight Champion
- Notable Wins: Luke Rockhold, Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson
- Fighting Strengths: Technical striking, endurance, adaptability
Michael Bisping is the greatest British UFC fighter of all time. His best moment of his career came when he defeated Luke Rockhold on short notice to claim the UFC middleweight title back at UFC 199. This victory wrote his name in MMA history forever; he became the first fighter from Britain to win a UFC title.
Bisping also holds wins over one of the greatest of all time, Anderson Silva, and the legend Dan Henderson, cementing his legacy.
2. Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards lands a head kick to Kamaru Usman//Getty Images
- UFC Record: 13-3-1 (No Contest)
- Championships: UFC Welterweight Champion
- Notable Wins: Kamaru Usman, Rafael dos Anjos, Nate Diaz
- Fighting Strengths: Striking precision, defensive grappling, composure
Leon Edwards delivered one of the most iconic moments in UFC history with his last-minute head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman. He became only the second British fighter to win a UFC title and continues to be a dominant force in the welterweight division.
Despite recently losing the belt to Belal Muhammad, a big win in 2025 could catapult him right back in the title picture.
3. Tom Aspinall
- UFC Record: 6-1
- Championships: Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion
- Notable Wins: Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura
- Fighting Strengths: Speed, power, technical grappling
Tom Aspinall is the most promising British fighter currently, and is the best British heavyweight in UFC history. His elite striking and grappling skills make him a serious contender for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title, which he is hoping to win off of Jon Jones in 2025.
Aspinall's tremendous speed and accuracy has so far been unmatched throughout his UFC career. The only blemish on his record came when he blew his knee out 10 seconds into his first fight with Curtis Blaydes. Other than that, he has been flawless.
4. Arnold Allen
- UFC Record: 10-1
- Notable Wins: Dan Hooker, Sodiq Yusuff, Calvin Kattar
- Fighting Strengths: Technical striking, fight IQ, well-rounded skills
Arnold Allen has been a consistent top featherweight since joining the UFC, showing elite technical ability and fight intelligence. He is one of the most well-rounded fighters currently in the promotion; he can mix up his striking combinations with his wrestling entries.
While he hasn't won a title yet, his performances against ranked opponents prove he belongs among the elite, and it's only a matter of time before the Suffolk man adds UFC gold.
5. Darren Till
- UFC Record: 6-5-1
- Notable Wins: Stephen Thompson, Donald Cerrone, Kelvin Gastelum
- Fighting Strengths: Striking power, Muay Thai skills, aggression
Darren Till burst onto the scene as a potential superstar back in 2015 and even challenged for the UFC welterweight title, ultimately being on the receiving end of a brutal submission by then-champion Tyron Woodley.
Since that point, a mixture of injuries and inactivity saw him lose form and confidence. After moving back up to middleweight, he went 1-3 and he left the sport in 2022. For that reason, Till is considered one of the biggest waste of talents in recent UFC history.
6. Paul Craig
- UFC Record: 9-7-1
- Notable Wins: Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill, Mauricio Rua
- Fighting Strengths: Submission grappling, resilience, tenacity
Paul Craig is one of the most dangerous submission artists in UFC history, his signature submission is the triangle choke. The Scotsman currently holds the record for the most triangle choke submission wins in UFC history with four.
While he may be limited in terms of technical striking, his ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with last-minute submissions makes him one of the most exciting British fighters ever.
7. Dan Hardy
- UFC Record: 6-4
- Notable Wins: Mike Swick, Marcus Davis
- Fighting Strengths: Dynamic striking, resilience, charisma
Dan Hardy played a crucial role in making British MMA popular. He was the first UK fighter to challenge for a UFC title, going five rounds with one of the greatest of all time in Georges St-Pierre.
While the Nottingham man may never have won UFC gold, he was a very technical striker in his prime years. Nowadays, Hardy is one of the best MMA analysts in the world.
8. Jimi Manuwa
- UFC Record: 6-6
- Notable Wins: Corey Anderson, Ovince Saint Preux, Jan Blachowicz
- Fighting Strengths: Knockout power, striking technique, explosiveness
Jimi Manuwa was a feared knockout artist in the UFC's light-heavyweight division, with five of his six UFC wins coming via KO or TKO. Unfortunately, as time went on, he became susceptible to knockouts himself, losing his last four bouts (three of them via knockout). This signalled the end of his career.
Though he never won a title, his highlight-reel finishes secured his place as one of the most exciting British fighters.
SportsBoom Suggests
The UK has produced some of the most exciting and technically gifted fighters in UFC history, albeit not at the same frequency as America.
Michael Bisping remains the most accomplished British UFC fighter ever, however, Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall continue to shape the future of British MMA, and they could surpass Bisping when it's all said and done.
Meanwhile, rising stars like Arnold Allen may soon add a UFC title to his name; he certainly has all the ability to do so.
Thanks to these names, British MMA is booming and this will pave the way for yet more British fighters to join the UFC and have similar success.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp