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the cfu has been around for nearly three decades now. Since 1993, it has been the premier proving ground for combat sports and athletes from around the world. Many fighters from different walks of life and walks of life have made the iconic walk to the UFC cage.
The UFC is very popular today and considered the best professional mixed martial arts organization. Throughout MMA’s rich history, there are many fighters who captured the attention and hearts of fans early in the promotion. Many of these fighters are long forgotten today, but have left their mark on the lore of mixed martial arts forever.
ten Jeremy Horn
Jeremy Horn is a UFC veteran who compiled a professional MMA record of 92-22. He is one of the most experienced and seasoned combat sports athletes in history and has competed in the UFC over 10 times in his career.
Horn has faced some of the best fighters in the world including Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva, Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Chuck Liddell. He competed twice for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and won titles in various promotions. Horn is known for being the first fighter to hand Chuck Liddell his professional loss in MMA.
9 Evan Tanner
Evan Tanner made his UFC debut in 1999 and competed in MMA until 2008. He is a former UFC middleweight champion and has faced UFC legends such as Tito Ortiz, Robbie Lawler and Rich Franklin throughout his career.
Tanner defeated Dave Terrell to win the middleweight title but lost it to Rich Franklin several months later. Sadly, Tanner passed away in the summer of 2008 after embarking on a solo journey through the desert.
8 Phil Baroni
Although he may not have been the most talented fighter, Phil Baroni was certainly entertaining and outspoken. The Long Island native competed in professional MMA between 2000 and 2019. He has fought in nearly every major promotion including UFC, Pride, Strikeforce, EliteXC and ONE FC.
Baroni’s career has not been without controversy due to his use of steroids, his feud with Frank Shamrock, and his professional wrestling career.
seven Shonie Carter
It takes a special type of individual to take on the role of “Mister International”. Shonie Carter was one of the original MMA stars who brought swagger and sparkle to the sport. He was known for his over-the-top walkouts and interesting outfits.
Carter has over 80 pro fights under his UFC belt and has faced UFC veterans Chris Lytle, Nate Marquardt, John Fitch and Marcus Davis. His knockout win over Matt Sera is one of the most well-known early UFC knockouts.
6 Yves Edwards
Yves Edwards made his UFC debut at UFC 33 against Matt Sera. However, it was his knockout win over Josh Thomson that took his career to a new level. He compiled a professional record of 42-22 and recorded 33 wins by knockout or submission.
Edwards re-signed with the UFC in 2010 and ended his career with the promotion in 2014. He retired soon after and is considered one of the best finishers in combat sports history.
5 Mike Swick
There was a time when Mike Swick was considered one of the top three welterweights in the UFC. The Houston native had a 9-1 record in the UFC before facing Dan Hardy in a title knockout bout. Despite his loss, Swick compiled a successful MMA career and was known for his exceptional fast hands.
Swick holds wins over Joe Riggs, Josh Burkman, Marcus Davis, Ben Saunders and DaMarques Johnson as a UFC welterweight.
4 Keith Jardine
Although Keith Jardine never achieved substantial success as a UFC light heavyweight, his role in building the light heavyweight division was undeniable. Jardine was primarily a power puncher who dragged his opponents into wild exchanges.
He fought some of the best light heavyweights in the world including Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson and Ryan Bader.
3 Pedro Rizzo
Pedro Rizzo is one of the old school Brazilian Muay Thai phenoms in UFC history. He fought for the UFC Heavyweight Championship three times and recorded 15 wins by knockout.
Rizzo’s iconic knockout against Josh Barnett at UFC 30 is a highlight for the ages. He holds victories over Ricco Rodriguez, Andrei Arlovski, Dan Severn and Mark Coleman.
2 Chris Lytle
Chris Lytle is a veteran UFC welterweight who has been in the promotion 19 times. He earned ten post-fight bonuses and was considered one of the top welterweight talents in his prime.
Lytle has faced UFC veterans such as Matt Hughes, Matt Sera, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck and Matt Brown throughout his career. He compiled a 31-19 record that included 19 submission wins before retiring in 2011.
1 jens pulver
Jens Pulver is considered one of the best lightweights in UFC history. The former lightweight champion holds a win over BJ Penn, Rob Emerson, Dennis Hallman and Caol Uno during his pro career.
Pulver was a star in the promotion’s early UFC and later competed in several MMA organizations. He successfully competed in the UFC, WEC, Pride and ONCE FC throughout his professional career.
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