MMA fighters in the UFC need to be well-versed in both striking and grappling. Among the best martial arts that can serve as a striking base are Muay Thai, Taekwondo, karate, boxing, and kickboxing. In this article, the focus will be on kickboxing and the best MMA fighters who have utilized kickboxing in the UFC.
The list of best kickboxers in the UFC is not ordered, as we took into account various factors such as their UFC and MMA resume, kickboxing resume, striking technique and diversity, striking accuracy and volume, among others. It is important to note that the term “kickboxer” refers to both Dutch and American kickboxing, with some Muay Thai background as well.
Jiří Procházka
Jiří Procházka is a Czech mixed martial artist who has rapidly gained attention in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for his dynamic and unorthodox striking style. Before making waves in the UFC, Procházka had already established himself as a formidable striker in various MMA promotions, particularly in RIZIN Fighting Federation, where he became the Light Heavyweight Champion. His background in kickboxing and Muay Thai is evident in his approach to fighting, as he often utilizes a diverse array of strikes, from spinning elbows to flying knees, to catch his opponents off guard. Procházka’s striking is not just flashy but also highly effective, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the light heavyweight division.
Since his entry into the UFC, Jiří Procházka has continued to showcase his elite striking skills, earning impressive victories over top contenders. His fights are characterized by his ability to apply pressure, control the center of the octagon, and deliver fight-ending blows with both precision and power. Procházka’s kickboxing foundation, combined with his fearless approach and willingness to engage in stand-up battles, has quickly made him a fan favorite and a serious threat to the UFC light heavyweight title. His performances in the octagon underscore the importance of a strong kickboxing base in modern MMA, and many believe that Procházka is on a trajectory to become one of the division’s dominant champions.
Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and kickboxer who has garnered significant attention for his striking prowess both inside and outside the UFC. Before transitioning to MMA, Pereira made a name for himself in the world of kickboxing, where he clinched multiple world titles, notably in the Glory Kickboxing organization. He is particularly renowned for his knockout power, with a highlight reel that includes a knockout victory over current UFC Middleweight Champion, Israel Adesanya, in kickboxing. Pereira’s style is characterized by his precise boxing, devastating knees, and the ability to generate incredible power in his strikes, making him a nightmare matchup for any opponent.
Upon entering the MMA scene, Alex Pereira’s kickboxing pedigree was immediately evident. His stand-up game is both technical and ferocious, allowing him to dominate exchanges on the feet. In the UFC, Pereira has continued to showcase his elite striking skills, leveraging his kickboxing background to outclass opponents and secure dominant victories. His ability to seamlessly blend punches, kicks, elbows, and knees makes him one of the most feared strikers in the middleweight division. As he continues to evolve and integrate other aspects of MMA into his repertoire, many believe that Pereira has the potential to ascend to the pinnacle of the sport and capture UFC gold. His journey underscores the growing influence and importance of kickboxing in the realm of mixed martial arts.
Anderson “The Spider” Silva
Anderson “The Spider” Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. He is a former UFC Middleweight champion and holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history, with an incredible 2457 days as the champion. Silva’s prime was marked by his impressive ability to use a combination of Muay Thai, Capoeira, and Taekwondo as his kicking base, and he has 23 career wins by knockout.
Silva’s championship era began in 2006 and lasted until 2013, during which time he defended the title a record-breaking 10 times and won 16 times in the process. His skill and creativity in kicking are unmatched in the sport, and he is one of the deadliest KO artists in history.
Silva’s greatness inside the Octagon is evident in the numerous records he holds. He has the second-most title defenses in UFC history (Middleweight, 10 times), the longest title reign in UFC history (2457 days), the longest win streak in UFC history (16), the most finishes in UFC Middleweight division history (11), the most finishes in UFC title fights (9), the most knockdowns in UFC history (18), the most knockdowns in UFC title fights (10), and the most knockouts in UFC title fights (7).
To give a glimpse of Silva’s dominance, here is a compilation of his 5 best finishes inside the Octagon:
- Silva vs Vitor Belfort – UFC 126
- Silva vs Forrest Griffin – UFC 101
- Silva vs Rich Franklin – UFC 77
- Silva vs Chris Leben – UFC Fight Night 5
- Silva vs Chael Sonnen – UFC 148
Anderson “The Spider” Silva’s legacy as one of the all-time greats in MMA is firmly cemented, and his impressive records and highlight reels will forever be remembered by fight fans around the world.
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya is an undefeated MMA fighter with a record of 20-0. He is the current UFC Middleweight champion with one title defense to his name. Adesanya started his martial arts career in kickboxing and has an impressive record of 75-5 with 29 wins coming by KO.
Adesanya is known for his creativity and proficiency in striking. Although he may not be the hardest striker, his timing and repertoire of strikes are unparalleled. He arrived in the UFC in 2018 and quickly made a name for himself by going from his UFC debut to winning the UFC gold in just a year and a half.
During his time in the UFC, Adesanya has defeated many notable opponents, including Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, Robert Whittaker, Yoel “The Soldier of God” Romero, and Paulo Costa. He has found a way to win every single time he fought in MMA, either by KO/TKO or by outstriking his opponents throughout the whole fight.
Adesanya’s journey to the UFC belt has been impressive. He has proven himself as one of the most creative and proficient strikers in the Octagon. With his undefeated record and impressive list of victories, Adesanya is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC Middleweight division.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is a well-known UFC Welterweight fighter with a 16-4 (1 draw) MMA record. He is a former full-contact kickboxer who has an impressive 37-0 amateur kickboxing record and a professional kickboxing record of 58-0. Thompson’s fighting style is based on karate and includes kickboxing strikes. He is one of the most decorated strikers in UFC history.
Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem
Alistair Overeem is a legendary Dutch kickboxer who has made a name for himself in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Overeem has competed in several organizations, including UFC Heavyweight, Pride Heavyweight, Strikeforce Heavyweight, and Dream Heavyweight. With a record of 47-19 (1 NC), Overeem is widely regarded as one of the best kickboxers in the history of MMA.
Overeem has won several championships throughout his career, including the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship, DREAM Heavyweight Championship, and K-1 World Grand Prix Championship. He is also one of only two fighters to hold world titles in both MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. Overeem has dual victories over MMA legends Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt, and Vitor Belfort. He has also defeated former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski, Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, and Brock Lesnar.
Alistair’s fighting style is characterized by his devastating kicks to the body and legs, as well as his knee strikes from the clinch. He is proficient with left-overhands and hooks once his opponents are worn down. Overeem’s most famous finishing technique used to be the left knee to the midsection, but he switched to the left body kick instead in the late stages of his career.
Out of his 47 career wins, 25 came by KO. Overeem also holds the record for being the only fighter to simultaneously hold three championship belts (Strikeforce, K1, and Dream). Alistair’s kicks and knee strikes have been described as “devastating” and have ended many fights. He is a dangerous opponent on his feet, as demonstrated by his compilation of KOs.
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic is considered one of the greatest MMA heavyweights of all time. He has fought in various promotions such as UFC, Pride, Rizin, Bellator, and K-1. With a professional MMA record of 38-11 (2 draws and 1 NC), Cro Cop is known for his signature move, the left high kick, which has been described as deadly and has put many of his opponents to sleep.
Cro Cop’s career started as an amateur boxer, where he had an impressive record of 48-8 with 31 wins coming by knockout. He then transitioned to kickboxing, where he accumulated a record of 26-8 (13 KOs). In his MMA career, he fought 52 times, winning 38 times, with 30 of his wins coming by knockout.
Cro Cop is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion, the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and the 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Champion. He is the second fighter in the world to win both mixed martial arts and kickboxing championships and tournaments.
Throughout his career, Cro Cop has faced some of the best heavyweights of all time and is widely considered one of the best MMA heavyweights of all time. His head kick technique has been a major factor in his success, with dozens of his opponents falling victim to it.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
In addition to his kickboxing skills, “Wonderboy” holds a 5th degree black belt in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, which is a style of Karate. Despite being known as the “Nicest Mother F—er” in the game, Thompson is a fierce opponent in the octagon. Here are his five best finishes in the UFC:
- Knockout (punches) against Dan Stittgen at UFC 143
- Knockout (head kick) against Jake Ellenberger at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale
- Knockout (spinning hook kick) against Jake Ellenberger at UFC 189
- Knockout (spinning hook kick) against Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night 82
- Decision (unanimous) against Rory MacDonald at UFC Fight Night 89
Thompson’s impressive record and fighting style make him a formidable opponent in the UFC Welterweight division.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk
oanna Jędrzejczyk is a Polish mixed martial artist who has made a significant mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with her striking prowess. Before transitioning to MMA, she was a multiple-time world champion in Muay Thai, a discipline that laid the foundation for her impeccable striking skills in the octagon. Her kickboxing background is evident in her fights, where she employs a combination of sharp jabs, devastating elbows, and powerful leg kicks to dismantle her opponents. With a style that is both aggressive and technically sound, Jędrzejczyk’s stand-up game is considered one of the best in the women’s strawweight division.
In the UFC, Joanna Jędrzejczyk quickly rose to prominence, capturing the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship and defending it multiple times. Her reign as champion was characterized by her ability to out-strike her opponents, using her kickboxing skills to maintain distance, control the pace of the fight, and land significant strikes. Her fights often showcased her ability to mix punches and kicks seamlessly, keeping her adversaries guessing and on the defensive. Jędrzejczyk’s kickboxing pedigree, combined with her relentless work ethic and fighting spirit, has solidified her legacy as one of the most dominant strikers in the history of women’s MMA.
Edson Barboza
Edson Barboza is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer, currently competing in the UFC Featherweight division. He has a professional MMA record of 21-9, with 7 of his 12 UFC wins coming by KO/TKO.
Barboza first made a name for himself in kickboxing, where he had an impressive record of 25-3, with 22 of those wins coming by knockout. In the UFC, he has faced some of the best lightweights of his generation, including Donald Cerrone, Michael Johnson, Tony Ferguson, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Barboza is known for his dangerous kicking game and is often regarded as “probably the best kicker in MMA” by UFC commentator Joe Rogan. He scored the first wheel kick knockout in UFC history and is one of two fighters to finish multiple UFC fights via leg kicks.
In addition to his kicking game, Barboza is also known for his effective use of switch kicks, which are considered some of the best in MMA. His finishes are some of the most brutal in the cage, with his top 5 being particularly noteworthy.
Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who has competed in both the UFC Bantamweight and UFC Featherweight divisions. With an impressive MMA record of 29-7, Aldo has established himself as one of the greatest featherweights of all time.
Aldo’s devastating leg strikes and quick combinations have become his signature moves. He holds the record for the most wins and knockouts in UFC and WEC featherweight history, and has landed a total of 691 significant strikes in the UFC and the WEC.
Prior to his fight with Conor McGregor, Aldo was undefeated for over a decade and had 18 wins in a row. He was the UFC’s only Featherweight champion at the time and widely considered to be the greatest featherweight of all time. Aldo holds the record for the longest winning streak in UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, and Pride featherweight history, with fifteen consecutive victories.
Aldo’s striking abilities were particularly devastating in his prime, as evidenced by his highlight reel of knockouts.
Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt
Mark Hunt, a former kickboxer and mixed martial artist from New Zealand, has competed in both Pride and the UFC. He has a record of 13-14, with one draw and one no contest. Hunt is known for his powerful punches and is considered one of the hardest hitters in MMA history.
Hunt won the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix and had a kickboxing record of 30-13, with 13 wins by knockout. In his MMA career, he won 10 fights by knockout, earning two Knockout of the Night rewards in the UFC. He is primarily a stand-up fighter and is best known for his left hook and right straight.
Hunt’s victories in MMA have mostly come via KO or TKO from punches. He has no submission wins or kick KOs. He is also known as the “King of Walk-Offs” because he used to walk away and stop attacks before the referee officially ended the match.
Hunt’s notable victories include a knockout win over Roy Nelson, who was previously thought to have one of the most durable chins in combat sports.
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is an American MMA fighter and former kickboxer with a remarkable career in the UFC. He is a fan favorite and one of the most active fighters on the roster, competing in both the UFC Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
“Cowboy” began his martial arts career at the age of 20, training in kickboxing and Muay Thai. He quickly made a name for himself, winning several kickboxing tournaments with a perfect record of 28 wins and 1 draw, with 19 of those wins by knockout.
After transitioning to MMA, Cerrone joined the UFC and has since become a true legend of the sport. Although he has never won a UFC Championship, he has always been at the top of his game, fighting with the best fighters in the world.
Cerrone’s signature move is the head kick, and out of his 23 UFC wins, 10 are by knockout. He holds several records inside the Octagon, including the most wins in UFC history (23), most finishes in UFC history (16), most post-fight bonus awards in UFC history (18), and most bouts in UFC history (34).
In addition, Cerrone is tied for the most bouts in a 12-month period in UFC history (6), has the second-most wins in UFC Lightweight history (17), the third-most finishes in UFC Lightweight history (10), and the most knockdowns in UFC history (20).
Despite his age and career, Cerrone remains one of the most active fighters in the UFC, always willing to fight anytime against anyone. He has had a lot of finishes, including some remarkable ones that have solidified his reputation as a true UFC Hall of Famer.
Germaine “The Iron Lady” de Randamie
Germaine “The Iron Lady” de Randamie is a former UFC Featherweight Champion and currently one of the best female bantamweights in the world. She has a record of 10-4 in MMA, with 4 of her wins coming by knockout.
De Randamie’s background in kickboxing is impressive, with an undefeated record of 46 wins and 30 of those wins coming by knockout. She is considered one of the best female kickboxers in MMA history.
In her MMA career, de Randamie holds KO wins over Larissa Pacheco, Anna Elmose, and Aspen Ladd. She was also the first UFC Featherweight women’s champion.
De Randamie holds the record for the fastest knockout in the UFC Women’s Bantamweight division, tied with Ronda Rousey, with a time of 16 seconds.
One interesting fact about de Randamie is that she once knocked out a man who was 40 lbs heavier than her in a pro boxing match.
My Verdict
After analyzing the list of the best kickboxers in the history of the UFC and MMA, it is clear that these fighters have earned their place on the list. While there may be other fighters with impressive kickboxing skills, the ones included have the most impressive resumes in the cage. As a bonus, fans can enjoy a compilation of some of the most exciting knockouts in UFC history. Overall, these fighters have left a lasting impact on the sport of MMA and kickboxing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top kickboxers in UFC history?
The UFC has seen many great kickboxers over the years, but some of the top names include Anderson Silva, Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, and Demetrious Johnson. These fighters have all had incredible success in the UFC and are considered some of the best in the sport’s history.
What distinguishes the best kickboxers from the rest in UFC?
The best kickboxers in the UFC are known for their striking ability, footwork, and speed. They are also able to mix their striking with other disciplines, such as wrestling or jiu-jitsu, to create a well-rounded fighting style. Additionally, they have excellent cardio and endurance, allowing them to maintain their striking output throughout the fight.
Which kickboxers have had the most success in UFC lightweight division?
Some of the most successful kickboxers in the UFC lightweight division include Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, and Rafael dos Anjos. These fighters have all had multiple victories in the division and have been able to showcase their striking skills against top-level competition.
Who are the best middleweight kickboxers in UFC history?
Some of the best middleweight kickboxers in UFC history include Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, and Robert Whittaker. These fighters have all had success in the middleweight division and are known for their striking ability and well-rounded skills.
