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. 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. 2
   Frank Mir

   Two-time UFC heavyweight champion known for devastating submission skills, defeating Tim Sylvia and Brock Lesnar.
   848pts
3. 3
   Francis Ngannou

   Knockout power record-holder who stopped Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 in 2021 to claim the heavyweight title.
   848pts
4. 4
   Randy Couture

   Three-time UFC heavyweight champion (2000, 2002, 2007) who became champion at 43 years old in an iconic comeback win.
   694pts
5. 5
   Tim Sylvia

   Two-time heavyweight champion with the longest title reign (2003-2008) and one of the division's most resilient fighters.
   679pts
6. 6
   Brock Lesnar

   Former WWE star who shocked the world by beating Randy Couture to become heavyweight champion in 2008, becoming a crossover phenomenon.
   555pts
7. 7
   Junior dos Santos

   Brazilian KO artist who knocked out Cain Velasquez in 64 seconds in 2011 to claim the heavyweight title.
   397pts
8. 8
   Tom Aspinall

   Current UFC interim heavyweight champion known for lightning-fast finishes, earning the belt with a record-setting KO win in 2023.
   397pts
9. 9
   Andrei Arlovski

   Former UFC heavyweight champion (2005-2006) and one of the division's pioneers with explosive striking power.
   299pts
10. 10
    Mark Coleman

    The first-ever UFC heavyweight champion (1997) and MMA pioneer who introduced ground-and-pound wrestling to the sport.
    299pts
11. 11
    Cain Velasquez

    Two-time champion and wrestling-based fighter who dominated the division from 2010-2015 with relentless ground-and-pound.
    299pts
12. 12
    Fabricio Werdum

    Submission specialist who shocked the world beating Cain Velasquez at altitude in 2015 to become heavyweight champion.
    185pts
13. 13
    Daniel Cormier

    Two-division champion who knocked out Stipe Miocic in 2018 to add the heavyweight belt to his light heavyweight title.
    0pts

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