The GOAT of MMA: What Should Matter the Most?

Narek Hambardzumyan

Various UFC Champions Throughout the Years

Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, these are the guys most often discussed in the greatest-of-all-time (GOAT) debate. But in a sport unlike others, there is no definitive answer. People enjoy different things: title defences, the way they fight, undefeated records, or longevity. While one definitive answer will never exist, we can move closer to one by asking this question: What should predominate?

This article proposes a point system rubric that quantifies greatness along five columns: Career Achievements, Degree of Competition, Skill & Finishing Ability, Longevity & Consistency, and Legacy & Impact. Applying this system to ten all-time greats allows us to shift our focus past "Who's the best?" to the more compelling question: What are we most concerned with in terms of greatness?

The System

Each fighter earns points along five columns:

1. Career Achievements

Measures success in numeric terms.

Titles Won: 10 points per division

Title Defences: 2 points per defence

Time as Champion: 1 point every 6 months

Win Streaks: 1 point every 5 consecutive wins

Record: 0.1 × win percentage

2. Level of Competition

Rewards competitors who fought against the best.

Wins Over Top-5 Opponents: 2 points per win

Wins Over Top-10 Opponents: 1 point per win

Former Champions Defeated: 3 points per win

Avenged Losses: 2 points per win

Multi-Division Success: +5 points

Era Strength: 1–5 subjective points

3. Finishing Skill, Finishing Ability, & Style

Tracks how champions close out fights.

Finishing Rate: 0.1 × Wins by finish percentage

Diversity of Finishes: +2 points

Fight IQ / Adaptability: 1–5 points

Dominant Performances: +1 for every 5 fights won without losing a round

4. Longevity & Consistency

Tests endurance.

Years in Top 5: 1.5 for each

Fights vs Ranked Opponents: 0.5 for each

Major Wins Past Age 35: +2 for each

Comeback Wins: +1 for each

5. Legacy, Impact, & Controversy

Resonates with impact and reputation.

Cultural/Technical Impact: 1–10 points

Style Innovation: +2–5 points

PED/Controversy Deductions: –5 to –15

Sportsmanship/Role Model: +1–3 points

The Results

Once the arithmetic is performed, rankings contradict common myths and support some.

1. Fedor Emelianenko – 160.14 Points

Fedor's dominance during the toughest era of heavyweight MMA positions him atop the list. He boasts a 21-bout win streak, six years of champion status, and victories over numerous legends, with his statistics indicating unprecedented consistency and competition. His peak is perhaps the unadulterated epitome of greatness in the sport's history.

2. José Aldo – 157.89 Points

The "King of Rio" is criminally underrated in GOAT conversations. Aldo's nine years spent ranked in the Top 5, seven title defences, and twenty wins over ranked opponents prove unmatched longevity and consistency. His score speaks to one of the greatest extended dominances ever.

3. Georges St-Pierre – 152.96 Points

The perfect well-rounded wrestler. GSP's excellence in every category, dominance, longevity, ability, and character make him the sport's prototype. With no PED scandals and two division titles, he is the best all-around career in MMA history.

4. Jon Jones – 151.07 Points

"Bones" may be the greatest fighter ever. His 10 wins over Top-5 opponents and record title defences give his Level of Competition score the highest mark. But PED suspensions deduct 10 points, leaving him short of #1. If the scandal is overlooked, Jones is a safe bet for #1.

5. Demetrious Johnson – 144.53 Points

"Mighty Mouse" is unadulterated technical brilliance. His record 11 title defences and excellent adaptability earn him full marks in Skill and Career Achievements. While the depth of the Flyweight division holds back his competition score, Johnson's record puts him among the most well-rounded fighters in history.

6. Anderson Silva – 131.58 Points

"The Spider" wowed fans with skill and creativity. He boasts the top Finishing Rate on the list and a perfect 10 for cultural impact, for the extent to which he made MMA mainstream around the globe. A second-half decline and PED concern keep him out of this position higher. 

7. Daniel Cormier – 123.56 Points

An Olympic wrestler and UFC champion in two divisions, Cormier's resume is among the best. Though his rivalry with Jones became his defining arc, his achievements in two weight classes and wins over some legends are self-explanatory.

8. Alexander Volkanovski – 103.29 Points

Still active, Volkanovski’s five title defences and stacked competition have already placed him among the greats. Continued success or a second belt could see his score rise dramatically in the years ahead.

9. Khabib Nurmagomedov – 96.9 Points

Khabib's stay at the top was short but immaculate. Never lost, never knocked out, and hardly disputed, his Skill score per fight is the highest on the list. His limited longevity prevents him from the top spot, though his undefeated mark can't be matched.

10. Islam Makhachev – 92.06 Points

The champion's score points to dominance in progress. With a winning streak dating back months, avenged defeat, and several elite wins, Makhachev's path is a mirror of his mentor Khabib's, and may one day surpass it.

What the Numbers Tell Us

According to the math, Fedor Emelianenko is the GOAT. But greatness is relative to what you care about. For sustainability against the best competition, José Aldo presents an incredible case. For balance, character, and legacy, Georges St-Pierre is the one. For raw ability and the elite-level victories, it's Jon Jones. And for pinpoint perfection, Khabib Nurmagomedov alone.

Ultimately, the greatest fighter isn't a person, it's a standard. And that standard is a question of what you, the viewer, hold most dear.