In case you’ve been living in a hole, we have All-Time Rankings available.
Most of the lists can fluctuate wildly while fighters’ careers are still active, but there haven’t been many active fighters entering the “Absolute” Top 25 in quite some time. However, this may change in the very near future.
Soon to Come?
#26 – Demetrious Johnson
Johnson would’ve been on the list quite some time ago, IF he competed in a division with a larger population. Although the division is growing quickly, its past and even its current, still lag behind other divisions in the sport.
Tapology ranks Johnson at #11 All-Time, while ScoreCardMMA has him at #14.
#27 – Dominick Cruz
Cruz also suffers from being in a division that has lagged behind most of the others, but another one of Cruz’s issues has always been durability. Were it not for those injuries, Cruz would most certainly be in the Top 25 All-Time.
Tapology #17 | ScoreCardMMA #17
Honorable Mentions (#37 – Conor McGregor, #41 – Daniel Cormier)
Close, but Fading..
#28 – Eddie Alvarez
Alvarez popped into the bottom of the list briefly, but exited once McGregor easily dispatched of him. While the two alternate sources posted (Tapology, ScoreCardMMA) were higher on the previous two on the list, they were not nearly as high on Alvarez. It’s clear, we put more emphasis on divisional strength and longevity then they do.
Tapology #80 | ScoreCardMMA #48
#29 – Gilbert Melendez
With a very similar career track, it’s no surprise to see Melendez bunched up with Alvarez.
Tapology #50 | ScoreCardMMA #41
#30 – Rafael dos Anjos
He seemed to be a surefire entrant into the Top 25, but two consecutive losses have him looking like a flash in the pan that just couldn’t keep it together long enough.
Tapology #66 | ScoreCardMMA #49
#33 – Anthony Pettis
After what seemed like a good idea in moving to Featherweight, Pettis has to pick up the pieces in order to continue what was once a career on a steep ascent.
Tapology #45 | ScoreCardMMA #52
Honorable Mention (#48 – Renan Barao)
Probably Not Gonna Happen
#32 – Shinya Aoki
Aoki never quite made that splash on the American stage. When this happens, it’s tough to get enough traction to get on the big list. Oh yeah, the loss to Folayang doesn’t help either.
Tapology #57 | ScoreCardMMA #58
#34 – Josh Barnett
I wasn’t sure which sub-category that Barnett fit within and at first, I felt we might be a little tough on him. However, our two alternate sources actually agree with us here.
Tapology #40 | ScoreCardMMA #28
Honorable Mentions (#35 – Johny Hendricks, #38 – Miguel Torres, #39 – Rashad Evans)