UFC: Wrestlers make up a huge part of the UFC roster. When you consider a sport like MMA, all different combat disciplines play a huge role. However, a good wrestler always causes trouble to any fighter. And although there have been great strikers, there have also been some incredible wrestlers in the UFC. Here is a list of our top five wrestlers in the UFC. For more combat sports news, follow Insidesport.IN.
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In the UFC, the definition of wrestling is very different. Very often fans use the words grappling and wrestling synonymously. However, for the sake of this list, we will not include Jiu-Jitsu and only consider traditional wrestlers.
UFC: Top 5 Greatest Wrestlers in the UFC
Top 5 wrestlers in the UFC
5. Henry Cejudo
This might raise a few eyebrows. However, Cejudo is undoubtedly one of the UFC greats. And while he had an incredible all-round fight game, his wrestling was what set him apart from the others. Proof of this was the fact that he won an Olympic wrestling gold medal at just 21. Cejudo averaged 2.3 takedowns per 15 minutes. His wrestling in the UFC took him to great heights, eventually becoming a double champion.
4. Daniel Cormier
Another double champion makes our list at number four. Daniel Cormier is one of the biggest names of the modern era. Cormier’s wrestling made him one of the most feared fighters. Moreover, the fact that he was just 5’11” and fighting in the heavyweight division made it even more impressive. Ultimately, it was his relentless wrestling that led him to become a UFC double champion.
3. Matt Hughes
A fairly underrated champion, Matt Hughes remains one of the best wrestlers in the UFC. He averaged 2.95 takedowns per 15 minutes and has wins over UFC greats like Matt Serra, B. J. Penn, and another wrestling great, Georges St-Pierre. Therefore, he had to make our list.
2. Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre is in the conversation for being the greatest MMA fighter of all time. And this is thanks to his unbelievable wrestling ability. He averaged an insane 4.16 takedowns per 15 minutes. St-Pierre’s ability to change levels whenever he wanted was what set him apart from the other wrestlers. He also holds the record for most takedowns in UFC history.
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov
And number one on our list is former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although fans will always debate between Khabib and St-Pierre, for us, Khabib’s relentless pressure puts him ahead. The Russian holds the record for most takedowns in a single UFC fight with 21 successful takedowns. Khabib’s wrestling is what set him apart from a very competitive lightweight division.
So there you have it. That is our list of the top 5 wrestlers in the UFC. Do you think we missed anyone? Let us know.
For more combat sports news, follow Insidesport.IN.
Editors pick
