In the realm of mixed martial arts, we’ve witnessed the emergence of truly unforgettable athletes. At the forefront of this movement stands the UFC, a stage where countless warriors have entered the octagon, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Whether they are submission specialists or knockout artists, these athletes have transitioned from humble beginnings to achieving global superstardom. The UFC has undoubtedly been the canvas for some of the most remarkable athletic performances in history.
Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier “DC” is a retired mixed martial artist and commentator in the UFC. Before his rise to stardom, Cormier was an accomplished wrestler. Cormier is a two-time NCAA Division One All-American wrestler. He is also a World Wrestling Championship bronze medalist.
After retiring from wrestling, Cormier transitioned to MMA and became a two-division champion in the UFC. He won the UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Stipe Miocic in 2018. DC then successfully defended it against Derrick Lewis before relinquishing the title in 2019.
He also won the UFC Light Heavyweight championship in 2015. He went on to defend it against Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson. Cormier’s wrestling background was key to his success in his MMA career. He was known for his spectacular grappling and takedowns. He retired from MMA in 2020 with a professional record of 22 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. He stands out as one of the most memorable wrestlers in UFC.
Randy Couture
Randy Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist and former UFC champion in two divisions. He is known for his phenomenal wrestling skills. Couture was a two-time Olympic wrestler. As well as a three-time NCAA Division One All-American wrestler before transitioning to MMA.
Couture’s wrestling skills were critical to his success in the UFC. He could take down opponents and control them on the ground, earning him numerous victories by decision or ground-and-pound. Couture’s wrestling was particularly effective against opponents who lacked grappling skills. He was able to dominate them with his superior technique.
Couture’s wrestling skills were also evident in his defensive abilities. He could defend against takedowns and keep the fight standing, which allowed him to utilize his striking skills. His technique and ability to control opponents on the ground made him a formidable force in the octagon. This has earned him a place among the greatest and most influential fighters in UFC history.
Jon Jones
Jon “Bones” Jones is a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever. While Jones is known for his striking abilities, his background in wrestling has been a key factor in his success.
Jones was a standout wrestler in high school and continued to hone his skills while attending Iowa Central Community College. His wrestling skills have allowed him to control opponents and take them down to the ground, especially in the clinch. This is where he can utilize his ground-and-pound and submission skills. Jones is known for challenging his opponent’s strengths and besting them at their own game.
In the UFC, Jones has used his wrestling to dominate opponents. Evan elite fighters such as Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Glover Teixeira. His wrestling has also allowed him to stuff elite-level wrestlers’ takedowns and keep the fight standing when he chooses to do so.
While Jones has faced some criticism for his off-the-field antics, there is no denying his skills as a wrestler and domination in the UFC. His wrestling will likely continue to be a major weapon in his arsenal. He continues to compete at the highest level in the currently in the heavyweight division.
Henry Cejudo
Cejudo is a former Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and a former two-division UFC champion having held the flyweight and bantamweight titles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest combat athletes ever due to his incredible wrestling skill and his striking and grappling abilities.
Cejudo’s wrestling background is a key component of his success in MMA. He has a strong base in freestyle wrestling and has competed at the highest levels of the sport. In the UFC, Cejudo has used his wrestling to control his opponents and secure takedowns, often dominating them on the ground. Cejudo has also developed a strong, striking game in conjunction with his wrestling talents, incorporating kicks and punches into his arsenal. Also, Cejudo is also one of the shortest MMA fighters in history, he is 5 ft 4 (163 cm).
Yoel Romero
Yoel Romero, a formidable force in the world of mixed martial arts, has left an enduring impact with his exceptional wrestling skills and illustrious UFC career. Born on April 30, 1977, in Pinar del Río, Cuba, Romero’s journey to becoming a renowned fighter is as compelling as his performances inside the octagon.
Romero’s wrestling prowess is legendary, rooted in his background as an Olympic-level wrestler. Representing Cuba, he won a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a gold medal in the 1999 Wrestling World Championships. This background seamlessly translated into his MMA career, where his explosive takedowns and grappling expertise became his signature.
Entering the UFC in 2013, Romero quickly ascended the middleweight ranks, showcasing a combination of athleticism and raw power. His highlight-reel knockouts, coupled with an uncanny ability to defend against takedowns, solidified his status as a top-tier fighter. Notable victories against the likes of Lyoto Machida and Chris Weidman underscored his dominance.
While Romero fell short in his quest for the UFC middleweight title, his indomitable spirit and fan-favorite fighting style have made him a beloved figure in the MMA community. Whether in victory or defeat, Yoel Romero’s impact on the UFC remains an integral chapter in the storied history of the sport.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is a former professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC. He was known for his impressive physique and wrestling background, making him a formidable octagon opponent. In his college years, he was the NCAA Division One heavyweight champion.
Lesnar first competed in the UFC in 2008 and quickly rose through the ranks with his impressive performances. He became the UFC heavyweight champion in 2008 by defeating Randy Couture. He then successfully defended his title twice before losing it to Cain Velasquez in 2010.
Despite his relatively short career in the UFC, Lesnar remains one of the most memorable and dominant wrestlers in the organization’s history. His combination of size, strength, and wrestling skill made him a unique and formidable competitor in the octagon.
Colby Covington
Covington is known for his wrestling background, having been an NCAA Division One wrestler at Oregon State University. Covington has had a successful career in the UFC. He is known for his trash talk, relentless gas tank, and aggressive fighting style. He can take down his opponents and apply significant forward pressure.
2018 Covington won the interim UFC Welterweight Championship by defeating Rafael dos Anjos via decision. Covington then faced Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2019 but was defeated via fifth-round TKO.
Despite the loss, Covington remains one of the top-ranked welterweights in the UFC. He continues to be a formidable opponent for anyone in the division. His wrestling skills are a major factor in his success. He has shown the ability to dominate opponents with his never-ending pressure.
Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian mixed martial artist in the UFC. Usman is known for his wrestling skills, which he has used greatly in his fights. Usman began his UFC career in 2015 and quickly became a dominant force in the welterweight division with his wrestling background. Kamaru is a Division One All-American wrestler in college. He has used his grappling skills to control his opponents in the octagon.
Usman’s wrestling has been displayed in many of his UFC fights, including his championship bouts. He won the UFC welterweight title in 2019 by defeating Tyron Woodley. He has since defended the title several times against top contenders such as Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.
Usman’s wrestling, striking, and cardio make him a formidable opponent in the UFC. He is widely regarded as one of the best welterweights in the world, and his wrestling is a key factor in his success.
Ben Askren
Ben Askren was a former Olympic wrestler who competed in the UFC from 2019 to 2021. Askren’s wrestling background made him a formidable opponent in the UFC’s welterweight division.
His wrestling skills allowed him to control his opponents on the ground. His superior grappling skills enable him to secure dominant positions and land strikes. Askren was also an expert in the art of the takedown, often using his wrestling to bring his opponents to the mat and wear them down with ground and pound.
Askren’s wrestling was especially effective against strikers who lacked grappling skills. While Askren’s wrestling was undoubtedly impressive, it was not without its weaknesses. His striking was often criticized as being rudimentary. Though he has struggled against opponents skilled in striking and grappling. After all Askren’s wrestling skills significantly influenced his success in the UFC, making him a unique and exciting fighter to watch.
Chris Weidman
Chris Weidman is a former UFC middleweight champion and accomplished wrestler. He was a two-time NCAA Division One All-American wrestler at Hofstra University and has a strong wrestling pedigree.
Weidman’s wrestling skills have been a key factor in his success in the UFC. He is known for taking opponents down and controlling them on the ground. He has excellent timing and footwork, which allow him to set up takedowns and avoid strikes. He is also very strong and has good grappling skills, which make him a formidable opponent on the ground.
Weidman’s wrestling skills were on full display in his UFC 162. His victory over Anderson Silva. In which he utilized his takedowns and ground-and-pound to defeat the previously unbeatable Silva. He has also used his wrestling to defeat other top UFC fighters, such as Lyoto Machida and Demian Maia. He has established himself as one of the elite middleweight fighters in the world.
Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez was a dominant force in the UFC heavyweight division and was known for his outstanding wrestling skills. In college, he won the NJCAA national championship in the heavyweight division. Cain also earned All-American status twice.
Velasquez’s grappling pedigree translated well to the octagon, where he could easily control and take down his opponents. His wrestling ability was particularly evident in his fights, especially against top heavyweight fighters like Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos.
In his first fight against Lesnar, Velasquez took him down early in the first round, dominating him on the ground before securing a TKO victory. Against dos Santos, Velasquez utilized his wrestling to take him down and control him for most of the fight. This ultimately led to a unanimous decision victory.
Velasquez’s success in the UFC was largely due to his wrestling skills. While he had other tools in his arsenal his wrestling was undoubtedly his greatest weapon. His wrestling skills assisted him in becoming one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in UFC history.
George St-Pierre
George St-Pierre, also known as GSP, is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the history of the UFC. During his career, he was a dominant force in the welterweight division, with an impressive record of 28 wins and only two losses.
GSP’s wrestling skills significantly influenced his success in the octagon. He was a high-level wrestler with excellent takedown defense and the ability to take his opponents down at will. He was also known for his powerful ground and pound, which often resulted in his opponents being unable to get up from the canvas.
GSP’s wrestling skills were honed through years of training and competing in various disciplines. This included wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and mixed martial arts. He seamlessly integrated his wrestling into his overall game, making him a well-rounded and dangerous fighter. He will always be remembered as one of the best fighters in the sport’s history.
Kevin Randleman
Kevin Randleman was a former UFC heavyweight champion known for his impressive wrestling skills. He began his career as a wrestler, winning two NCAA Division One national championships. He was a silver medalist at the 1995 FILA Wrestling World Championships before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
In the UFC, Randleman showcased his wrestling prowess. Where he had a series of dominant performances against top-level competition. Kevin famously suplexed Fedor Emelianenko in a Pride Fighting Championship bout. He earned victories over notable fighters such as Maurice Smith, Pedro Rizzo, and Mirko Cro Cop.
Randleman’s wrestling skills were a major asset in his fighting style, allowing him to control his opponents and keep the fight on the ground. He was also known for his explosive athleticism and powerful striking. Unfortunately, Randleman’s life was cut short when he passed away in 2016 at the age of 44. However, his legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers in UFC history lives on. His influence on the sport continues to inspire new generations of fighters.
Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen was a formidable wrestler in the UFC during his fighting career. In 2000, he achieved the silver medal at the Greco-Roman World University Championships, and he also won the Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman competition twice. Sonnen’s wrestling skills were a key aspect of his fighting style and allowed him to control his opponents and dictate the pace of the fight.
He was known for his relentless takedowns and his ability to maintain top position once he secured it. This made him a difficult opponent for many fighters, as they struggled to return to their feet once he had taken them down. His wrestling prowess is further complemented by Sonnen’s striking ability.
His ability to blend these different aspects of fighting made him a well-rounded fighter and a tough opponent for anyone in the UFC. Chael Sonnen’s wrestling skills were a major part of his success in the UFC and helped him to become one of the top fighters in his weight class.
Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler is a highly skilled wrestler and a formidable athlete in the UFC. As a Fout-time NCAA Division One qualifier, Chandler has demonstrated his elite grappling abilities in the octagon. His wrestling background has allowed him to control, takedown, and ground-and-pound his opponents. He has developed a strong wrestling defense, which has helped him avoid being taken down by his opponents.
Chandler’s wrestling skills were fully displayed in his UFC debut against Dan Hooker, where he secured a first-round TKO victory. Aside from his wrestling, Chandler has also shown he is a well-rounded fighter with his impressive striking and submission skills. His wrestling and other abilities make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the UFC lightweight division. Chandler’s wrestling skills are a significant asset in his arsenal and have helped him succeed in the UFC.
Tyron Woodley
Woodley is a former UFC welterweight champion known for his outstanding wrestling ability. He was a two-time All-American wrestler out of the University of Missouri. Woodley’s wrestling ability is a key component of his fighting style, allowing him to control the fight’s pace and dictate where it takes place. He has excellent takedown defense so seasoned wrestlers find it difficult to take him down and also has shown the ability to take down and control some of the best wrestlers in the UFC.
Besides his wrestling abilities, Woodley also possesses heavy hands and knockout power, making him a dangerous striker. He has scored some spectacular knockouts in his career, including a first-round KO of Robbie Lawler to win the UFC welterweight title. Tyron’s combination of wrestling and striking skills has made him a formidable opponent.
Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader is a former UFC light heavyweight champion known for his strong wrestling skills. Bader was a standout wrestler in high school and college, earning All-American honors at Arizona State University. Bader has used his wrestling effectively in the UFC, dominating opponents with his takedowns and ground-and-pound. He has a 66% takedown accuracy rate and has landed over 300 total takedowns in his career.
Bader’s wrestling has been particularly effective against strikers. He can take them down and nullify their striking abilities. He also has good control on the ground, which allows him to wear down his opponents and win rounds. In recent years, Bader has transitioned to Bellator MMA, where he has continued to showcase his wrestling skills. He is the current Bellator Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion.
Bader’s wrestling skills have played a key element in his UFC career. His impressive wrestling skills made him an entertaining fighter to behold. This played a crucial role in his success in the UFC and Bellator, and he is widely regarded as one of the top wrestlers in MMA today.
Johnny Hendricks
Johnny Hendricks is a former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the UFC. He is known for his powerful striking and wrestling skills, which helped him become a top contender in the UFC.
Hendricks was an NCAA Division One wrestling champion at Oklahoma State University. His wrestling background served him well in the octagon. He could control and take down his opponents, which helped him win many of his fights. Hendricks was also known for his knockout power. He has demonstrated this in his victories over notable fighters such as Martin Kampmann and Jon Fitch. He will be remembered as one of the top welterweight contenders of his time.
Mark Munoz
Mark Munoz was a formidable wrestler in the UFC. Munoz’s background in college wrestling gave him a significant advantage in his fights. He became a two-time State Champion and an Asics First Team All-American wrestler. This experience allowed him to control his opponents on the ground and inflict damage with ground and pound. He often overwhelmed his opponents with his relentless pressure. Munoz was also skilled at using his wrestling to defend against his opponent’s takedowns.
He kept his fights standing where he could utilize his striking skills. Throughout his career, Munoz faced off against some of the toughest fighters in the middleweight division, including Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, and Tim Boetsch. Despite some setbacks, Munoz’s wrestling ability allowed him to win impressive victories. He will be remembered as one of the most skilled wrestlers to compete in the middleweight division.
Matt Lindland
Matt Lindland was a decorated wrestler who succeeded in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling and later transitioned to mixed martial arts. He was known for his excellent grappling skills and was particularly adept at takedowns and top control. Lindland competed in the UFC from 2002 to 2008.
While in the UFC, he faced some of the top fighters in the middleweight division. Fighters such as Robbie Lawler and Murilo Bustamante. His wrestling skills were a major part of his success in the UFC and helped him establish himself as one of the top middleweight fighters of his time.
Rashad Evans
Rashad Evans is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC. He began his professional career in 2004 and quickly made a name for himself as a skilled wrestler with excellent takedown defense. His early wrestling background made him a two-time All-American wrestler and Big Ten Conference champion.
Evans won the second season of the UFC’s reality show, The Ultimate Fighter. He had a successful UFC career, competing in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions. He faced some of the toughest and biggest names in the sport, including Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Jon Jones, and Michael Bisping. He holds notable wins over some of the biggest names in the sport, including Forrest Griffin, Dan Henderson, and Rampage Jackson.
Joe Stevenson
Joe Stevenson is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC’s lightweight division. He is best known for his impressive wrestling skills and ability to control his opponents on the ground. Stevenson began wrestling at a young age and eventually transitioned to mixed martial arts. His grappling skills, particularly his wrestling, were immediately evident in his fights.
Stevenson’s grappling skills were on full display in The Ultimate Fighter. He submitted three of his four opponents en route to winning the lightweight tournament. He went on to have a successful UFC career, with notable victories over the likes of Nate Diaz and Kurt Pellegrino. While Stevenson may be less known in the world of MMA, wrestling fans and analysts still remember his impressive wrestling skills and ground game.
Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the UFC. Throughout his career, he showcased exceptional wrestling skills. This has enabled him to dominate his opponents. He is a former Greco-Roman wrestling university national champion. He also represented the United States in the Summer Olympics of 1996.
His wrestling style was characterized by his explosive takedowns. Once grounded, he used his powerful grappling and relentless pressure to dominate his opponents. His excellent timing and technique allowed him to take down even the UFC’s most skilled strikers and grapplers. Once on the ground, he was a master at controlling his opponents and punishing them with ground and pound.
Henderson’s wrestling skills were particularly evident in his fights against top-tier opponents such as Michael Bisping, Anderson Silva, and Mauricio Rua. In his fights, he neutralized his opponents’ striking with his takedowns. Thus making him an exceptional and captivating competitor in the UFC. His legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time is a testament to his exceptional abilities in the sport.
Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the history of the UFC. Known as “The Hammer,” Coleman made his UFC debut at UFC 10 in 1996 and quickly made a name for himself with his dominant wrestling skills.
Coleman’s background as an NCAA Division One wrestler at The Ohio State University served him well in the octagon. Where he was able to take down and control his opponents with ease. He was also known for his ground-and-pound, where he would use his wrestling to secure top position and then rain down heavy punches and elbows.
Coleman won the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 12. He became a sport pioneer, paving the way for other wrestlers to succeed in the octagon. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to the sport. Mark Coleman’s wrestling skills paved the way for his success in the UFC. His legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers in MMA history continues to be felt today.
Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the UFC. He was a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and defended his title on multiple occasions. Hughes’s dominant wrestling style allowed him to control his opponents on the ground and pound them into submission.
Hughes’ wrestling skills were honed during his years as a college wrestler. He became a two-time NCAA Division One All-American wrestler. In the UFC, he could use his wrestling to take down opponents and keep them on the ground, where he could inflict significant damage. His wrestling proficiency is further enhanced by his conditioning and mental toughness. He maintained a high pace throughout his fights, and his ability to push through adversity made him a formidable opponent.
Frankie Edgar
Frankie Edgar is considered one of the best wrestlers in UFC history. He was a wrestler at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania and qualified four times for Nationals each year. Edgar’s wrestling ability has been instrumental in his success in the UFC. He has excellent takedown defense, which has allowed him to stay on his feet and use his striking skills. At the same time, he has used his own wrestling to take opponents down and control them on the ground.
Edgar’s footwork and speed also play a significant role in his wrestling game. He can quickly close the distance to take his opponents down or evade their takedown attempts. One of Edgar’s most famous fights was his upset victory over BJ Penn at UFC 112. Where he used his wrestling to control Penn on the ground and win via unanimous decision.
Phil Davis
Phil Davis is a former NCAA Division One wrestler and professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC since 2010. He is known for his exceptional grappling skills, which have helped him win many fights in the octagon. He has won numerous fights by using his wrestling to control his opponents on the ground and land strikes from the top position. Besides his wrestling pedigree, Davis also has solid striking skills, which he has used to win fights by knockout or decision.
Davis has faced some of the toughest fighters in the light heavyweight division throughout his UFC career, such as Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson, and Glover Teixeira. Despite some losses, Davis has always been a tough opponent and has never been knocked out or submitted in his professional career. Phil Davis’ wrestling skills have been a key factor in his success as an MMA fighter. He remains a dangerous and highly respected competitor in the UFC today.
Aaron Simpson
Aaron Simpson was a wrestler who competed in the UFC from 2009 to 2013. He had an impressive wrestling background: he was a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Arizona State University. Simpson’s wrestling skills were his greatest asset in the UFC. He was known for his takedowns and ability to control opponents on the ground. He was a powerful wrestler who could easily take opponents down and keep them there.
Simpson’s striking was also respectable, but his wrestling made him a tough opponent for anyone in the UFC. He used his wrestling to set up his strikes, and his opponents always had to be wary of his takedowns. While he may not have been the flashiest fighter, he was a formidable opponent who could grind out wins with his wrestling.
Josh Koscheck
Josh Koscheck was a highly skilled wrestler during his time in the UFC. He was a four-time NCAA Division One All-American wrestler and part of the National Championship team at Edinboro University in 2001. Koscheck’s wrestling ability was a significant part of his success in the UFC. He used his wrestling skills to dominate his opponents on the ground and control the fight’s pace. He also had excellent takedown defense, making it difficult for his opponents to take him down.
In tandem with his wrestling, Koscheck was also known for his striking ability, making him a well-rounded fighter in the octagon. Koscheck’s wrestling skills were fully displayed in his victory over Paul Daley at UFC 113. He was able to take Daley down and control him on the ground for most of the fight, earning a unanimous decision victory.
Court McGee
McGee is a well-known UFC fighter with a background in wrestling. He has demonstrated his wrestling skills in the octagon numerous times, winning several fights using his grappling abilities. McGee began his wrestling career in high school and went on to wrestle at the college level. McGee’s wrestling background has been a significant advantage for him in the UFC, where he has taken down and controlled his opponents.
In addition to his wrestling skills, McGee has also developed a well-rounded fighting style. He incorporates striking and submissions into his game. He has shown that he is capable of adapting his approach to his opponents. Whether that means using his wrestling to control the fight or relying on his striking.
If this article was helpful to you, don’t forget to add it to your Pinterest board.
Recent Posts
What is Manachai's Fighting Style? Unveiling Muay Thai Mastery
Manachai, a celebrated figure in the Muay Thai world, has captivated audiences with his exemplary martial prowess. Hailing from the heartlands of Thailand, his name is synonymous with the art of...
What Was Chamuekpet Hapalang's Fighting Style? Unveiling Techniques
Chamuekpet Hapalang was a renowned figure in the world of Muay Thai (record 200-48-2), embodying a fusion of Muay Bouk and Muay Khao styles. Originating from Thailand, the art of Muay Thai is known...