USA, Brazil and Russia are powerhouses in the UFC (Photo: Montage/SUPER LUTAS)
The largest organization of a sport as global as MMA, the UFC has, throughout its history, featured athletes from all over the world putting their different styles, cultures and backgrounds to the test inside the octagon. Over the last few decades, some nations have stood out as true powerhouses in mixed martial arts.
While the United States and Brazil lead by a wide margin in the number of champions and elite representatives throughout history, other countries have increasingly been conquering their space in the UFC. From the 'Russian Wave', with the grappling of Dagestan, to the rise of the African continent, with champions such as Israel adesanya, Kamaru Usman e Francis Ngannou.
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In this article, the SUPER FIGHTS presents the countries that stand out most in the UFC throughout the organization's history, with their historic champions, recent revelations and influence in the construction of the sport.
United States – 68 champions
Jon Jones defeats Miocic by knockout, defends belt in UFC 309 . Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC
The birthplace of the UFC, the United States is also the organization's greatest historical power, leading by far in terms of the number of athletes and also in the number of champions. In total, 68 North American fighters have held the UFC title, including tournaments, linear and interim belts.
Among the main North American UFC legends are names like Jon JonesRandy Couture Matt hugs, Ronda Rousey and Chuck Liddell.
Currently, however, the United States has champions in only two of the 11 categories: Jon Jones, in the heavyweight division, and Julianna Pena, in women's bantamweight.
Brazil – 21 champions
A key player in the creation of the UFC, Brazil is the second-largest power in the organization's history and has won 21 different champions (including tournament and interim champions), standing out as the largest talent pool outside the United States. The country is a reference mainly in traditional martial arts, such as jiu-jitsu and muay thai, in addition to having a strong fighting culture since the beginnings of MMA.
Icons like Anderson Silva, José Aldo, Amanda nunes, Vitor belfort, Rodrigo Minotauro, Mauritius Shogun e Charles of the Bronx helped build Brazil's reputation inside the octagon.
Currently, Alexandre pantoja is the only Brazilian with a UFC belt, in the flyweight category (up to 56,7 kg), but names like Diego lopes, Charles of the Bronx, Caio Borralho, Alex Poatán, Jailton Malhadinho, Virna jandiroba e Natalia Silva keep alive the country's hopes of remaining a protagonist in world MMA.
Russia – 5 champions
With fighters known for their suffocating grappling style, based on sambo, Olympic wrestling and extreme discipline in training, Russia has established itself as one of the biggest forces in world MMA.
The first Russian to win a UFC title was Oleg Taktarov, who won the tournament at UFC 6 in 1995, when the belt system did not yet exist. Decades later, the explosion of Dagestan placed the country among the giants of the sport. Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated as lightweight champion, and his direct successor, Islam makhachev, maintained dominance of the division until relinquishing the title to move up to welterweight.
With a different style from most of his compatriots in the organization, based mainly on boxing, Petr yan He was crowned bantamweight champion in 2020, but was unable to defend the title on any occasion.
Currently, the only Russian UFC champion is the Dagestani Magomed Ankalayev, who holds the light heavyweight belt.
Australia – 3 champions
Alexander Volkanovsky in victory in UFC 290. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In recent years, Australia has established itself as one of the major forces in world MMA. Three representatives from the Oceanian country have already won UFC belts over the past few years.
The first Australian champion was the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) Robert whittaker, who, despite being born in New Zealand, became an Australian citizen and defends the country's flag.
Australia currently has two linear champions: Alexander Volkanovsky, in featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) and Jack Della Maddalena, in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg).
England and Mexico – 3 champions*
M. Bisping won the middleweight belt in 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
Just like Australia, England and Mexico also have three UFC champions in history, but with the exception that, unlike the case of the Oceanian country, only two from each of these nations have won linear belts.
Representing the European country, Michael Bisping was linear middleweight champion and Leon edwards, born in Jamaica but naturalized British, welterweight, while Tom aspinall currently holds the interim heavyweight belt and is looking forward to unifying the titles with Jon Jones.
As for Mexico, Brandon Moreno e Alexa grasso were linear flyweight champions, while Yair Rodriguez won the interim featherweight title, but was unable to unify it.
Sport increasingly global
Merab Dvalishvili in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC
The United States and Brazil remain the historical birthplaces of the UFC and together have produced 89 champions, but the current scenario is one of plurality: Georgia has Merab Dvalishvili e Ilia Topuria two great stars; China shines with Weili Zhang and massive investment by the organization in search of new talent. The African continent has already had four champions: the Nigerians Israel adesanya e Kamaru Usman, the Cameroonian Francis Ngannou and the current owner of the middleweight belt Dricus Du Plessis. The octagon has never been so global: today, a champion can come from anywhere in the world.
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