Aug 13, 2025 - Sports

Where Stipe Miocic ranks among greatest MMA fighters of all time

Troy Smith

Bare-chested UFC fighter in black shorts raises arms as referee holds up left arm inside octagon, signaling victory, with officials and sponsors visible in background. — Stipe Miocic celebrates after his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 on Aug. 15, 2020. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Five years ago this week, Stipe Miocic cemented himself as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history.

Flashback: The Northeast Ohio native defeated fellow all-time great Daniel Cormier in a trilogy fight at UFC 252 on Aug. 15, 2020.

In doing so, Miocic broke the record for the most UFC Heavyweight Championship defenses at four.

Between the lines: Miocic would go on to lose the final two fights of his career before retiring in 2024. However, by then, his legacy was secure.

In honor of the anniversary of Miocic's final win, we look at where he stands among the top 10 male mixed martial artists of all time.

Troy's top 10:

Georges St-Pierre
Jon Jones
Demetrious Johnson
Anderson Silva
Fedor Emelianenko
Khabib Nurmagomedov
José Aldo
Stipe Miocic
Daniel Cormier
Alexander Volkanovski

Thought bubble: Miocic is one of the most underappreciated fighters of his era, often snubbed on all-time lists.

Current fighters like Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria could move into my list someday, but Miocic deserves his flowers now and forever.

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Where Stipe Miocic ranks among greatest MMA fighters of all time

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