5 greatest UFC featherweights of all time
The UFC featherweight division is one of the deepest in the promotion's history. The greatest star in MMA history — Conor McGregor — achieved superstardom by embarking on a legendary unbeaten run in the 145lbs weight class, culminating in an inimitable 13-second knockout win over Brazilian great José Aldo.
Aldo himself reigned over the UFC featherweight division for nearly four years, turning away challenger after challenger until the threat posed by the future generation of top contenders became too great.
Once McGregor abandoned the division in pursuit of UFC lightweight glory, Aldo recaptured the title he had defended seven times. Unfortunately, the emergence of Max Holloway led to an immediate end to the Brazilian's second championship reign.
As a champion, Holloway's impressive performances sparked a debate that sought to answer a new-age question: who is the greatest featherweight in UFC history?
Like Holloway before him, the reigning featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski has also stirred the debate due to the strength of his performances inside the octagon.
Given José Aldo's recent retirement from active MMA competition, this list examines the legacies of 5 UFC featherweights, both current and former, to determine who the greatest fighter at 145lbs truly is.
#5. Frankie Edgar
Like José Aldo, Frankie Edgar's time at featherweight was cut short by a series of losses that left 'The Answer' asking more questions about his place in the division.
Having lost to two top contenders and the then reigning champion Max Holloway, Edgar made the decision to drop to the UFC bantamweight division. There, he'd face opponents who were better suited to his smaller frame. From a technical standpoint, Edgar was remarkable.
Sean Serk
BJ Penn X3
Gray Maynard
Charles Oliveira
Cub Swanson X2
Urijah Faber
Chad Mendes
Yair Rodriguez
Pedro Munhoz
Frankie Edgar is a legend 🏆 https://t.co/cs1RKooq7a
He was one of the most well-rounded featherweights in UFC history, combining his jab and knee-pick takedowns to great effect. Upon establishing the threat of his jab, 'The Answer' faked the jab to draw the opponent's guard high. With his foe distracted, he'd stick his jabbing hand to them and push them back while wrapping his hand behind their knee and lifting their leg to his waist.
The takedown came easily to him thereafter as he merely stepped forward to unbalance an opponent who was left hopping on one leg. Edgar's specific set of skills enabled him to defeat B.J. Penn, Charles Oliveira, Cub Swanson, Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Jeremy Stephens, and Yair Rodriguez. No other non-champion matches the strength of his record.