10 Most Underrated UFC Fighters

As UFC and MMA fans, we love to talk and debate about our favourite current fighters or fighters from the past. And, we like to discuss who the greatest fighter of all time is, and the current best pound-for-pound MMA fighters.

But, in this article, we are going to rank and analyse fighters that may not get a mention in any of those topics above. We feel that these fighters don't get their fair share of praise, despite having exceptional careers.

At SportsBoom, we have decided who the 10 most underrated UFC fighters of all time are. 

Critical Consensus Rankings: Most Underrated UFC Fighters

The Critical Consensus Table includes a fighter's UFC record, their UFC title achievements, notable victories, and their fighting strengths.

SportsBoom MetaScale Analysis

The SportsBoom MetaScale assigns a weighted score to each key factor contributing to a fighter’s legacy. The formula and weightage distribution are as follows:

Each fighter receives a total MetaScale score out of 100 based on these factors.

Most Underrated UFC Fighters Breakdown

In this section, we will provide a breakdown of the 10 most underrated UFC fighters of all time from those fighters on the list above.

1. Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping leaves the ring after knocking out Luke Rockhol//Getty Images

• UFC Record: 30-9-0
• Championships: UFC Middleweight Champion
• Notable Wins: Anderson Silva, Luke Rockhold, Dan Henderson
• Fighting Strengths: Technical striking, endurance, adaptability

Michael Bisping was often overlooked throughout his career, dismissed as a fighter who couldn't win the big one. However, he proved his doubters wrong by defeating Luke Rockhold on short notice to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship 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. Dustin Poirier 

Dustin Poirier greets Conor McGregor//Getty Images

• UFC Record: 30-9-0, 1 NC
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez
• Fighting Strengths: Striking, adaptability, resilience

Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier has beaten some of the very best in the lightweight division, yet because he never held an undisputed UFC title, he often gets overlooked by the casual MMA audience. 

His wars with Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Max Holloway are proof of his elite status at lightweight. But no win will quite top his knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257.

3. Igor Vovchanchyn

• UFC Record: 56-10-1, 1 NC
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock
• Fighting Strengths: Knockouts, power, toughness

Before the rise of modern heavyweights, Igor Vovchanchyn was knocking out opponents left, right and centre. 

Despite his incredible KO record, winning 41 of his fights by knockout, he is often overlooked in conversations about some of the best heavyweight fighters of all time. Although not his fault, this is probably because he was around in the mid 90s and very early 2000s.

4. Gegard Mousasi

• UFC Record: 49-9-2
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, Chris Weidman
• Fighting Strengths: Well-rounded, fight IQ, striking, grappling

Gegard Mousasi's dominance across multiple promotions, including UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator, and various weight-classes showcases his elite-level skills. He's also shown his outstanding longevity in the sport, having been a pro for over two decades. 

The Iranian has won almost everything there is to win in MMA. However, he never claimed a UFC title, which is likely the reason he is underrated. Another reason he is not well known to MMA casuals of today is because he has always been softly-spoken and respectful in build-ups to fights.

5. Carlos Condit

• UFC Record: 32-14-0
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Nick Diaz, Matt Brown, Rory MacDonald
• Fighting Strengths: Volume striking, heart, cardio

Despite being one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, Carlos Condit never won an undisputed UFC title. He did win the interim UFC welterweight title back at UFC 143, albeit in controversial fashion, against Nate Diaz. This bout is considered one of the most controversial fights in UFC history.

Condit's striking, durability, and aggressive style made him a fan-favourite, but has never received the full credit he deserved by the newer generation of MMA fans.

6. Dong Hyun Kim

• UFC Record: 22-4-1, 1 NC
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Nate Marquardt, Carlos Condit
• Fighting Strengths: Judo, grappling, cardio

Otherwise known as "The Stun Gun", Dong Hyun Kim possessed one of the most suffocating grappling styles that the welterweight division has ever seen. 

Many people consider The Korean Zombie as the best South Korean fighter in UFC history, however, many people forget about Dong Hyun Kim. He was the first Korean fighter to ever fight in the UFC octagon, and he the first Korean to win in the company.

His ability to dominate fights with his judo background made him a formidable opponent.

7. Josh Barnett

• UFC Record: 35-8-0
• Championships: UFC Heavyweight Champion 
• Notable Wins: Randy Couture, Mark Hunt, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
• Fighting Strengths: Grappling, submission skills, heavy striking

Josh Barnett defeated Randy Couture at UFC 36 to become the youngest-ever UFC heavyweight champion. Despite being one of the youngest champions of all time, Barnett's UFC career has been forgotten about because of multiple post-fight failed drug tests, including after he beat Couture.

Barnett is rarely mentioned among the heavyweight greats. Yet, his submission skills and experience in Pride, Strikeforce, and UFC made him one of the most dangerous fighters of his era (in the early 2000s).

8. Yushin Okami

• UFC Record: 39-15-0
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Hector Lombard, Nate Marquardt
• Fighting Strengths: Wrestling, defense, durability

A long-time contender in the middleweight division, Yushin Okami’s wrestling-heavy style made him a difficult puzzle to solve in the late 2000s. His quiet demeanor and lack of flashy finishes kept him under the radar, but he remains one of the toughest competitors in UFC history.

Although he hasn't won much throughout his career, Okami’s longevity is incredible; he made his debut in 2002, and he is still fighting professionally as of early 2025.

9. Hector Lombard

• UFC Record: 34-10-1, 3 NC
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Jake Shields, Josh Burkman
• Fighting Strengths: Explosive knockout power, aggression

Hector Lombard came into the UFC as a highly touted prospect, due to his exceptional background as an elite Judo fighter, but he never fully lived up to the hype. However, his early career and fights in Bellator showcased his incredible power and aggressive style, which is what built his fanbase.

Lombard, the former Bellator middleweight champion, still holds the record for the fastest knockout in Bellator history (6 seconds). But outside of these achievements, his pro career wasn't as good as it should've been.

10. Joe Lauzon

• UFC Record: 28-15-0
• Championships: None
• Notable Wins: Jens Pulver, Melvin Guillard, Jamie Varner
• Fighting Strengths: Submission, fight bonuses, exciting fights

While Joe Lauzon may have never won a UFC title, he holds the record for one of the most post-fight bonuses in UFC history, proving his exciting fighting style. Lauzon is regarded as one of the most exciting lightweight's to ever compete in the company.

His ability to pull off slick submissions and constantly engage in wars made him a fan-favourite. Lauzon has the third most finishes in UFC lightweight division history (13), which is some feat considering the greats to compete in that weight class.