MMA
List of Best UFC Featherweights: A Look at the Division’s Finest
In this article, we list our top ten best UFC featherweights of all time.
Alexander Volkanovski//Getty Images
The UFC's featherweight division has hosted many talented fighters throughout its history. At 145-pounds, this weight class allows for fighters to be speedy, whilst also carrying explosive power, and that often provides some very exciting matchups within the division.
But, here's a list of the ten best UFC featherweights in history…
Jose Aldo has the most UFC title fights in featherweight history (11). He also has the most successful title defences in featherweight history with seven.
10. Jeremy Stephens
At one stage, Jeremy Stephens was a nightmare opponent due to his brutal power and his relentlessness. Despite never fighting for the title, Stephens fought several top guys throughout his UFC career such as Cub Swanson, Max Holloway, Anthony Pettis, Frankie Edgar and many more.
Nowadays, Stephens is fighting in bare knuckle boxing.
9. Frankie Edgar
Frankie Edgar had a great career in the UFC, claiming the lightweight title as well as having a solid time at featherweight. Known for his relentless style of wrestling and striking in the pocket, Edgar was a true warrior that didn't back down from any fight.
The American fought three times for the belt at 145-pounds, and he failed in all three attempts. This eventually prompted him to move down to bantamweight for his final four fights of his career before retiring in 2022.
8. The Korean Zombie
The Korean Zombie earned this name quite simply because he was one of the toughest fighters you will ever see inside the octagon during his prime. He also had knockout power in both hands.
Unfortunately, even though the South Korean fighter spent several years in the top ten in the UFC featherweight rankings, he failed in his two attempts to claim UFC gold, against Jose Aldo and Alex Volkanovski.
7. Brian Ortega
Brian Ortega has been the nearly man for quite a few years in the featherweight division. “T-City” has all the talent in the world, however, question marks have been raised regarding his work rate, which is the difference between being a contender-level fighter and a champion.
He has had some brutal wars for the featherweight title with Max Holloway and Alex Volkanovski, where he was on the losing side in both bouts.
Ortega has great submission grappling so it's no surprise to know 50% of his wins have come via submissions.
6. Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez is one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster simply because of his unique striking techniques.
The Mexican won the UFC interim featherweight title back in February 2023 after submitting Josh Emmett. A few months later, he faced then champion Alex Volkanovski for the full version of the title, where he lost by unanimous decision.
Since then, Rodriguez has fought Brian Ortega, losing via submission, in Mexico City, on the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Royval 2.
5. Chad Mendes
Chad Mendes was a consistent fighter throughout his UFC career, albeit he didn't really wow many of his opponents with flair. The American’s style was about pressuring his opponents, using volume striking and then shooting for takedowns.
Mendes fought for the UFC featherweight title twice, both came against Jose Aldo, both in Rio de Janeiro, and he fell to defeat in both of them. Nevertheless, he was still a top ten contender for most of his time in the elite organisation of MMA.
4. Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor ran rampant in his time at 145-pounds. He won five of his six bouts by knockout or TKO before earning his title shot at the featherweight king, Jose Aldo.
The Irishman exploded into stardom when he shook the world by wiping Aldo out in just 13 seconds at UFC 194.
3. Max Holloway
Max Holloway//Getty Images
Max Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion, and successfully defended it three times. Known for his unbelievable volume striking, cardio and toughness, Holloway is a tricky customer for anybody.
“Blessed” recently got knocked out in his attempt to beat current 145-pounds champ, Ilia Topuria. That being said, his resume has cemented the Hawaiian fighter as one of the best UFC featherweight fighters ever.
2. Alex Volkanovski
Alex Volkanovski was on his way to becoming a legitimate MMA greatest of all time. The Australian won the UFC featherweight title at UFC 245 against Max Holloway, and then he went on to successfully defend his belt five times, including a trilogy with Holloway.
Volkanovski looked unstoppable at featherweight because of his ability to fight any fight, he could mix up his kickboxing, boxing and wrestling, and his work rate was excellent. However, in February 2024, he ran into a fresh Ilia Topuria who destroyed him, and is looking strong as the current champ.
1. Jose Aldo
With the way things are going, Ilia Topuria could well eventually take this spot, but I can't put him on this list just yet, simply because it's tough to rank him based on what he may or may not do in his next title defence. And with this in mind, Jose Aldo remains as the best featherweight fighter of all time.
Aldo successfully defended his UFC featherweight title seven times across three years before he got wiped out by McGregor.
The Brazilian had exceptional Muay Thai skills and legendary takedown defence which helped be the great fighter he was at 145-pounds.
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