MMA
The Shortest Fighter in MMA History: Ranking the Top Contenders
Height in mixed martial arts carries absolutely zero importance if you don't know how to use it to your advantage. Throughout the years, we have seen several tall fighters who do not understand how to use their length to their advantage. Equally though, being a short fighter can also be effective. In this article, we will list the five shortest MMA fighters ever and explain their career highlights, and why they were/are effective.
Johnson and Henry Cejudo//Getty Images
Methodology
The rankings are determined using the following measurable criteria:
Height (50%): Shortest fighters ranked higher.
Fight Record (30%): Career wins and notable achievements.
Notable Achievements (20%): Titles, championship wins, and significant milestones.
Sources Used:
- Sportskeeda
- MMA Channel
- ONE Championship
Critical Consensus: Ranking the Shortest Fighters
The Critical Consensus Table combines ranking data from Sportskeeda, MMA Channel and ONE Championship, as well as listing the fighters height and key achievements in the sport of MMA.
Critical Consensus Table
| Rank | Fighter | Height | Key Achievement | Sportskeeda Rank | MMA Channel Rank | Data 3 Rank |
| 1 | Gustavo Balart | 4'11" | ONE Championship competitor | N/A | N/A | 1 |
| 2 | Hector Sandoval | 5'3" (157 cm) | UFC Flyweight contender | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Demetrious Johnson | 5'3" (160 cm) | Former UFC Flyweight Champion | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | John Lineker | 5'4" (163 cm) | UFC and ONE Championship competitor | N/A | N/A | 4 |
| 5 | Henry Cejudo | 5'4" (163 cm) | Former UFC Double Champion | 5 | 2 | 5 |
As you can see from this list, Gustavo Balart is the shortest fighter in MMA history, standing at just 4'11. Despite holding a record of 12-5, he is one of the top competitors in the ONE Championship strawweight division.
Then, Hector Sandoval and Demetrious Johnson closely follow, as both stand 5’3. While the legendary Demetrious Johnson doesn't need an introduction, MMA fans may not be quite familiar with the name of Sandoval. The Mexican has not fought in five years, and his most notable last appearance came in the UFC in 2017 when he was knocked out cold in 15 seconds by Dustin Ortiz.
John Lineker and Henry Cejudo complete this list, both standing at 5’4. Although Lineker is one of the shortest MMA fighters of all time, that didn't stop him from competing at weights such as bantamweight, featherweight and even lightweight. Cejudo, meanwhile, has used his short size to his advantage, and despite his size, he dominated the flyweight and bantamweight divisions in his prime with the use of powerful wrestling and explosive striking.
SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Fighters
The SportsBoom MetaScale combines a number of aspects such as: a fighter’s height (50%), their record (30%) and their achievements (20%).
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
| Rank | Fighter | Height (50%) | Fight Record (30%) | Achievements (20%) | MetaScale Score |
| 1 | Gustavo Balart | 50 | 20 | 12 | 82 |
| 2 | Hector Sandoval | 48 | 24 | 10 | 82 |
| 3 | Demetrious Johnson | 48 | 30 | 18 | 96 |
| 4 | John Lineker | 46 | 28 | 16 | 90 |
| 5 | Henry Cejudo | 46 | 32 | 20 | 98 |
1. Gustavo Balart
Although he has never been a champion in ONE Championship, Gustavo Balart has proven himself to be one of the best smaller weight wrestlers in the entire sport. The Cuban fighter won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 2011 in Greco-Roman wrestling, and we've seen those skills on full display since he crossed over to MMA in 2015.
2. Hector Sandoval
Hector Sandoval only had four fights in the UFC (2-2), but it was fun while it lasted. The Mexican's dynamic striking and grappling always brought the excitement to the octagon, and it's no wonder why three of his four UFC bouts ended inside the distance.
3. Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson//Getty Images
Arguably one of the greatest to ever do it, Demetrious Johnson's legacy in the lower divisions will likely never be matched. “Mighty Mouse” dominated the UFC flyweight division because he was excellent at every aspect of MMA, and he had the IQ and cardio to match his technical ability. DJ was the first-ever UFC flyweight champion, and he reigned supreme for six years, racking up 11 successful title defences, which is the record for most consecutive title defences in UFC history.
4. John Lineker
John Lineker//Getty Images
Despite being one of the smallest fighters ever, John Lineker is one of the toughest fighters to step foot inside the cage; in 49 fights, he has only lost by knockout once. The Brazilian was an excellent fighter in his UFC days, losing just 4 of his 13 bouts. The issue Lineker had was making weight, and this is the reason he never got a shot at the flyweight or bantamweight title.
5. Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo//Getty Images
If it wasn't for the greatness of Demetrious Johnson, Henry Cejudo would likely be everybody's pick for the best UFC flyweight ever. The Mexican American defeated every top flyweight in his path, during a time when the division was full of elite pound-for-pound fighters, including winning the title off of Johnson. Cejudo then jumped to bantamweight where he would be crowned a simultaneous two-weight UFC champ at UFC 238.
SportsBoom Suggests
Gustavo Balart holds the distinction of being the shortest MMA fighter, proving that size doesn’t limit success in the sport.
Legends like Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo highlight how shorter fighters can dominate even at the highest levels of competition.
Fighters like John Lineker and Hector Sandoval have shown resilience and adaptability despite their physical stature.
The Shortest Fighters in MMA History have proven that size isn’t everything in combat sports. From Gustavo Balart’s incredible resilience to Demetrious Johnson’s legendary reign, these fighters inspire fans with their skill and determination.
4. Germaine de Randamie - UFC women's featherweight championship
Germaine de Randamie will forever be in the history books of MMA for two reasons. One, she became the UFC's first ever women's featherweight champion after defeating Holly Holm in February 2017. The second reason being, she lost her belt only a few months after winning it - precisely 128 days.
De Randamie was stripped of her UFC title because she flat-out refused to fight Cris Cyborg, who was destroying every woman the UFC put in front of her.
3. Frank Mir - UFC interim heavyweight championship
Frank Mir was steamrolling through opponents during the early 2000's, but his UFC interim heavyweight title reign was marred by what fans called a premature doctor stoppage against Tim Sylvia in 2004. Then, just 112 days after winning the title in controversial fashion, the American was stripped of his belt after he sustained severe injuries in a bike accident.
2. Tim Sylvia - UFC heavyweight championship
The giant heavyweight, Tim Sylvia had multiple UFC heavyweight title reigns, and his first one was incredibly short. Winning the belt for the first time at UFC 41 against Ricco Rodriguez, Sylvia was stripped of his title a mere 55 days afterwards due to failing a drug test because of steroids.
1. Jose Aldo - UFC interim featherweight championship
Image Credits: Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One of the all-time greats of MMA, Jose Aldo officially has the shortest duration of holding any UFC belt. But, there is a technicality to this one.
Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 to win the UFC interim featherweight championship. And just 12 days later he gave it up as he was elevated to the full version of the 145-pounds champion after Conor McGregor was stripped of the belt.
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