The 13 Greatest UFC Heavyweight Champions of All Time

The UFC heavyweight throne has been held by knockout artists, submission specialists, and warriors who transcended the sport — from its earliest brawlers to today's elite technicians. Who do you crown the greatest?

1

Jon Jones

Current UFC heavyweight champion who submitted Ciryl Gane in his debut at UFC 285 (2023), already a legend from light heavyweight.

1000pts

2

Frank Mir

Two-time UFC heavyweight champion known for devastating submission skills, defeating Tim Sylvia and Brock Lesnar.

902pts

3

Francis Ngannou

Knockout power record-holder who stopped Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 in 2021 to claim the heavyweight title.

902pts

4

Randy Couture

Three-time UFC heavyweight champion (2000, 2002, 2007) who became champion at 43 years old in an iconic comeback win.

803pts

5

Tim Sylvia

Two-time heavyweight champion with the longest title reign (2003-2008) and one of the division's most resilient fighters.

793pts

6

Brock Lesnar

Former WWE star who shocked the world by beating Randy Couture to become heavyweight champion in 2008, becoming a crossover phenomenon.

714pts

7

Junior dos Santos

Brazilian KO artist who knocked out Cain Velasquez in 64 seconds in 2011 to claim the heavyweight title.

611pts

8

Tom Aspinall

Current UFC interim heavyweight champion known for lightning-fast finishes, earning the belt with a record-setting KO win in 2023.

611pts

9

Andrei Arlovski

Former UFC heavyweight champion (2005-2006) and one of the division's pioneers with explosive striking power.

549pts

10

Mark Coleman

The first-ever UFC heavyweight champion (1997) and MMA pioneer who introduced ground-and-pound wrestling to the sport.

549pts

11

Cain Velasquez

Two-time champion and wrestling-based fighter who dominated the division from 2010-2015 with relentless ground-and-pound.

549pts

12

Fabricio Werdum

Submission specialist who shocked the world beating Cain Velasquez at altitude in 2015 to become heavyweight champion.

475pts

13

Daniel Cormier

Two-division champion who knocked out Stipe Miocic in 2018 to add the heavyweight belt to his light heavyweight title.

389pts