5 UFC records that won’t be broken any time soon
UFC champions are countless, but record-holders make up a rarer breed of fighters. This is largely due to part of whether a fighter breaks or sets a record not being entirely under their control. Probability must align to favor specific outcomes, as certain records are almost impossible even for the fighters who hold them to repeat.
Other records are more firmly within a fighter's control, as a lengthy win streak is largely determined by the skills possessed by the mixed martial artist in question. Part of the allure of records is that they're inherently difficult to break, thus it's often a spectacle whenever a fighter does break one.
However, some records are harder to break than others. Many are unlikely to be broken any time soon, and this list compiles 5 which are the least likely to be broken within the next few years.
#5. The youngest champion in UFC history
One of Jon Jones' claims to fame is the fact that he became the youngest champion in UFC history after he dominated Maurício 'Shogun' Rua en route to a 3rd round TKO at UFC 128. That bout took place back in 2011, yet 11 years later, no one has managed to break the American's record.
On this day in 2011, Jon Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history (23 years, 242 days) when he finished Shogun Rua at UFC 128.
Jones' record still stands more than a decade later. https://t.co/7yc1wiozoX
Several fighters have risen and swore to supplant 'Bones' as the youngest champion to ever compete under Dana White's banner. Edmen Shahbazyan was one, but he is currently on a 3-fight losing streak and may have reached his ceiling as a fighter.
Maycee Barber made the same claim years ago, but is now 24 years old and a year too late. Now everyone's hopes and dreams sit with Raul Rosas Jr. to do so, though it is unlikely to happen in a division as deep as bantamweight.
#4. The fastest KO in UFC history
This is one of those records that doesn't completely hinge on a fighter's skills. While possessing knockout power and exceptional timing certainly helps, a fair amount of probability needs to sit in a fighter's corner for them to earn extremely fast knockouts, let alone the fastest KO in UFC history.
In five seconds, Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) records the fastest knockout in @UFC history. #UFC239
The previous record belonged to Duane Ludwig with his 6-second KO. https://t.co/cKLFqFu6uh
That distinction goes to Jorge Masvidal, who isn't even the welterweight division's most powerful puncher or its most accurate striker. Yet, the variables lined up just right for him to make promotional history when he KO'd Ben Askren in 5 seconds at UFC 239.
As the skill-level in MMA rises, fighters will gradually become less likely to expose themselves to such knockout blows in the opening 10 seconds of a bout. Even Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis, the two most powerful punchers in UFC history, have yet to come close to breaking the record despite their seismic KO power.
#3. The fastest KO in a UFC title fight
Conor McGregor holds several distinctions in the UFC. He is the promotion's first simultaneous two-division champion and is responsible for all five of the top 5 highest-selling pay-per-view events in its history. Furthermore, the Irishman also owns the record for the fastest knockout in a UFC title fight.
At UFC 194, 'The Notorious' announced his arrival to the world of sports superstardom with a 13-second KO against José Aldo. While fighters have knocked out their opponents in less time, no one has ever done so in a title fight under Dana White's banner.
The first UFC fighter to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously, and he holds the UFC record for fastest KO in a title fight (13 seconds)!
Happy 34th Birthday @TheNotoriousMMA!
https://t.co/91YKNIjjYB
In title fights, fighters almost always face the very best that the division has to offer. They clash with opponents who are less likely to open themselves up to such strikes given how much of their future in the promotion hinges on how they perform.
Defending champions are typically cautious and conservative, rendering them difficult to dethrone in record-fashion, which also renders them unlikely to land such early KO blows when they're more concerned with defense than offense.
#2. The longest win streak in UFC history
Anderson Silva's record of 16 consecutive wins will prove extraordinarily difficult to break. The Brazilian legend is responsible for an unprecedented run of highlight reel wins. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman came close to equaling 'The Spider's' record.
'The Nigerian Nightmare' was on a 15-fight win streak, but his unbeaten stretch came to a violent stop after his skull collided with Leon Edwards' left shin. Kamaru Usman was flattened and his first-ever KO loss left him the owner of the second-most consecutive wins in the promotion. Now, he must start anew from square one.
Anderson Silva holds the record for the longest run of MMA title defenses, part of a 16-fight winning streak #UFC84 https://t.co/N9x971o1O1
Israel Adesanya too came close before a loss to Jan Błachowicz snapped his undefeated run. Due to the defeat, the middleweight kingpin is currently sitting on a 3-fight win streak, which is quite a distance away from 16. Only Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev are close.
However, given the depth of their respective divisions, one of them is bound to lose. As the two men are scheduled to cross swords in the future, one of them will lose, leaving the other as the only one close enough to the Brazilian's record.
#1. The most consecutive title defenses in UFC history
Demetrious Johnson might not have been the most marketable star Dana White has ever signed, but his legacy lives on in a record that every champion in the promotion is chasing. 'Mighty Mouse' left the UFC with 11 consecutive title defenses to his name.
As with Anderson Silva's record-setting win streak, Kamaru Usman was the closest to the title defense record. However, the moment he lost to Leon Edwards, his chances at breaking the record went up in flames. With no more than 5 consecutive title defenses, the former NCAA Division II wrestler is back to square one.
Demetrious Johnson defeats Ray Borg. That's 11 straight successful title defenses and a new UFC record. #ucf216 https://t.co/Kx6YeIheJn
Currently, Israel Adesanya is on course to defend his title for the 6th time, however, it will be against his most difficult style-matchup in Alex Pereira. His teammate Alexander Volkanovski is at 4 title defenses. The record will prove extremely difficult to break.
The longer a title reign is, the more likely a defending champion is to face larger, more athletic fighters from the next generation who have ample footage of said defending champion for gameplanning purposes. The defending champion will continue to get older as the challengers grow younger.