The Greatest of All Time? Volkanovski Names His Top 5 Fighters
The debate over who deserves the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in MMA is one that never seems to quiet down. While many names frequently come up in this conversation, Alexander Volkanovski, despite being one of the most dominant champions in recent memory, doesn’t place himself in the top five. In a recent Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski opened up about his picks for the greatest fighters to ever step into the octagon.
Volkanovski, who is widely considered one of the greatest featherweight champions ever, listed five fighters who he believes are at the pinnacle of MMA greatness. “Top 5 fighters of all time. Damn,” Volkanovski said, clearly reflecting on how tough it is to narrow down the list. His choices included Demetrious Johnson, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and his teammate Israel Adesanya.
Starting with Johnson, Volkanovski praised the former UFC flyweight champion, known for his technical brilliance and ability to adapt in the cage. Johnson’s legacy is solidified as one of the most complete and intelligent fighters in MMA history. Volkanovski also made it clear that despite the controversies surrounding Jon Jones, the fighter’s skill and longevity in the sport are undeniable. Jones has dominated the light heavyweight division for over a decade, and his remarkable talent has earned him a place among the sport’s greatest.
Georges St-Pierre, a two-weight champion and one of the most respected figures in MMA, was another obvious inclusion. St-Pierre’s consistency, versatility, and ability to dominate across different weight classes cement his legacy as one of the best ever. Volkanovski also singled out Anderson Silva, whose long reign as middleweight champion and iconic striking made him one of the most dangerous fighters of his era.
The final name on Volkanovski’s list was his City Kickboxing teammate, Israel Adesanya. While it might seem self-serving given their close connection, Volkanovski’s praise for Adesanya is based on the fighter’s achievements, including multiple middleweight title defenses. Volkanovski even called Adesanya the greatest striker the UFC has ever seen, recognizing his precision and creativity in the stand-up game.
Interestingly, Volkanovski did not include himself in this esteemed group. Despite being hailed by many as the greatest featherweight of all time and having five successful title defenses, Volkanovski remains humble, pointing to others’ legacies as more deserving of a spot in the top five. This humble approach shows that even at the top of his game, Volkanovski is more focused on the accomplishments of others than his own place in history.
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