Since the UFC began in 1993, the United Kingdom has produced some of the most skilled and exciting athletes in mixed martial arts. Over the years, British fighters have grown into a major force, showcasing toughness, skill, and determination. From early pioneers like Brad Pickett to champions like Michael Bisping, UK fighters have left a lasting mark in MMA. This list highlights the greatest British UFC fighters, examining their careers, notable wins, and their impact on the sport. The greatest British UFC fighters have helped put UK MMA on the global map.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Greatest British UFC Fighters
10. Jimi Manuwa
Jimi Manuwa, nicknamed ‘Poster Boy’, was renowned for his knockout power and thrilling fights. He began his professional career with a rapid rise, winning the light heavyweight title at Ultimate Challenge MMA in just his fifth fight. Manuwa joined the UFC in 2012, winning his first three fights before his first defeat against Alexander Gustafsson. His most memorable victories include Jan Blachowicz, Ovince Saint Preux, and Corey Anderson. Manuwa retired in 2019, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest British UFC fighters.
| Fighter | Jimi Manuwa |
| MMA Record | 17-6 |
| UFC Wins | 10 |
| UFC Losses | 6 |
| Notable Wins | Jan Blachowicz, Ovince Saint Preux, Corey Anderson |
| Championships | Ultimate Challenge MMA Light Heavyweight |
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9. Paul Craig
Paul Craig, also called ‘Bearjew’, competed in the UFC for almost nine years and is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest. Known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, Craig was especially dangerous on the ground. His career highlights include wins over Jamahal Hill, Shogun Rua, and Magomed Ankalaev. While his record was mixed, Craig is widely regarded as one of the greatest British UFC fighters, particularly for his grappling expertise.
| Fighter | Paul Craig |
| MMA Record | 17-10-1 (1 NC) |
| UFC Wins | 11 |
| UFC Losses | 8 |
| Notable Wins | Jamahal Hill, Shogun Rua, Magomed Ankalaev |
| Championships | None |
8. Brad Pickett
Brad Pickett, nicknamed ‘One Punch’, is a pioneer of UK MMA and one of the greatest British UFC fighters. Before joining the UFC in 2011, he held a 20-5 record, including a win over Demetrious Johnson. Pickett fought across four weight divisions during his 39-fight career and was famous for his exciting, crowd-pleasing style. Dana White has called him one of the most entertaining fighters he has ever seen.
| Fighter | Brad Pickett |
| MMA Record | 25-14 |
| UFC Wins | 10 |
| UFC Losses | 9 |
| Notable Wins | Demetrious Johnson |
| Championships | None |
7. Dan Hardy
Dan Hardy, known as ‘The Outlaw’, became the first British fighter to challenge for a UFC title. Hardy started with a Cage Warriors welterweight championship before signing with the UFC in 2008. He defeated Akihiro Gono, Rory Markham, and Marcus Davis, earning a title shot after beating Mike Swick. Hardy lost to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111 via unanimous decision. Today, he is recognized as one of the greatest British UFC fighters for paving the way for UK welterweights.
| Fighter | Dan Hardy |
| MMA Record | 25-10 (1 NC) |
| UFC Wins | 9 |
| UFC Losses | 6 |
| Notable Wins | Marcus Davis, Rory Markham |
| Championships | Cage Warriors Welterweight |
6. Darren Till
Darren Till had a strong start in the UFC, going 5-0 (including 1 NC) and defeating top opponents like Donald Cerrone and Stephen Thompson. He earned a welterweight title fight against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228 but lost by submission. Till faced several elite fighters, including Robert Whittaker, Jorge Masvidal, and Dricus du Plessis. Till is considered among the greatest British UFC fighters for his striking and early UFC success.
| Fighter | Darren Till |
| MMA Record | 18-5-1 |
| UFC Wins | 6 |
| UFC Losses | 5 |
| Notable Wins | Donald Cerrone, Stephen Thompson |
| Championships | None |
5. Lerone Murphy
Nicknamed ‘The Miracle’, Lerone Murphy remains undefeated and is considered a rising star among the greatest British UFC fighters. His career includes wins over Aaron Pico, Dan Ige, and Edson Barboza. Murphy’s story is inspirational, surviving a life-threatening incident in his youth. His skill and resilience make him a strong contender for a future featherweight title.
| Fighter | Lerone Murphy |
| MMA Record | 17-0-1 |
| UFC Wins | 8 |
| UFC Losses | 0 |
| Notable Wins | Aaron Pico, Dan Ige, Edson Barboza |
| Championships | None |
4. Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, or ‘Paddy the Baddy’, is one of the UK’s most popular UFC fighters. He has defeated Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler. Pimblett is scheduled for an interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. Known for his charisma and fighting style, Pimblett is undoubtedly one of the greatest British UFC fighters of this generation.
| Fighter | Paddy Pimblett |
| MMA Record | 23-3 |
| UFC Wins | 9 |
| UFC Losses | 3 |
| Notable Wins | Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler |
| Championships | None |
3. Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards became the second British UFC champion by knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. Edwards also defeated Colby Covington and defended his title successfully against Usman. Despite losses to Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady, Edwards is a key figure among the greatest British UFC fighters, representing the UK at the highest level in MMA.
| Fighter | Leon Edwards |
| MMA Record | 22-5 (1 NC) |
| UFC Wins | 12 |
| UFC Losses | 3 |
| Notable Wins | Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington |
| Championships | UFC Welterweight Champion |
2. Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall, from Salford, is one of the most explosive heavyweights in UFC history. Known for finishing fights quickly, he has never gone past the second round in the UFC. Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Injuries and a no contest against Ciryl Gane slowed him down, but he is one of the greatest British UFC fighters currently active.
| Fighter | Tom Aspinall |
| MMA Record | 15-3 (1 NC) |
| UFC Wins | 8 |
| UFC Losses | 2 |
| Notable Wins | Sergei Pavlovich |
| Championships | Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion |
1. Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping, ‘The Count’, is the most decorated British UFC fighter and the only Brit in the UFC Hall of Fame. Bisping fought across two weight classes and won the middleweight title by defeating Luke Rockhold at UFC 199. He also defeated Anderson Silva and defended the belt against Dan Henderson. Bisping is widely regarded as the greatest of all time among greatest British UFC fighters.
| Fighter | Michael Bisping |
| MMA Record | 30-9 |
| UFC Wins | 21 |
| UFC Losses | 8 |
| Notable Wins | Luke Rockhold, Anderson Silva |
| Championships | UFC Middleweight Champion |
FAQs
1. Who is considered the greatest British UFC fighter of all time?
Michael Bisping is widely regarded as the greatest British UFC fighter. He is the only Brit in the UFC Hall of Fame and won the middleweight championship, defeating top fighters like Luke Rockhold and Anderson Silva.
2. Are there any current British UFC champions?
Yes, Tom Aspinall is a current British UFC champion. He holds the interim UFC heavyweight title and is known for his fast finishes and explosive striking.
3. Which British UFC fighter has the best knockout record?
Jimi Manuwa is known for his powerful striking and impressive knockout record. He won many of his fights in the first round, making him one of the most dangerous fighters in the UK’s MMA history.
4. Who are the rising stars among the greatest British UFC fighters?
Rising stars include Paddy Pimblett and Lerone Murphy. Pimblett has high-profile wins over Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, while Murphy remains undefeated and is close to a featherweight title shot.