The 5 best flyweight fighters in UFC history

Before Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo square off for the vacant UFC flyweight title, let’s countdown the five best flyweights in UFC history.

With only two male UFC flyweight champions ever, it’s easy to forget that the division has been around for eight years. And while one man ruled the division for the vast majority of that time, there’s been no shortage of quality fighters at 125 pounds.

On Feb. 29, in the main event of UFC Norfolk, Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo will do battle for the vacant flyweight strap. Both men will have the opportunity to be crowned the division’s third-ever champion.

In light of the Benavidez-Figueiredo title clash, below are the five best flyweight fighters in UFC history based on their accomplishments in the division in the UFC.

1. Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters ever, so his status as the UFC flyweight GOAT is essentially a no-brainer. After winning the vacant belt in 2012, Johnson would amass an impressive 11 successful title defenses before losing his belt via split decision against Henry Cejudo in 2018.

What made Johnson’s run so incredible was not only the time he stayed on top but the way he did it. Outside of a couple of precarious spots against Tim Elliot and John Dodson, Johnson rarely found himself in trouble against the best contenders the division could offer, year after year. Moreover, he’s the owner of one of the most spectacular submissions in MMA history — the so-called “Might Wiz Bar” suplex-to-armbar maneuver Johnson hit on title challenger Ray Borg at UFC 217.

2. Henry Cejudo

Cejudo is the only flyweight fighter to ever defeat Johnson. And even though he did so by way of a decision that many fans still dispute, that accomplishment alone is enough to make him the second-best UFC flyweight ever.

An Olympic wrestling champion (have you heard?), Cejudo first met Johnson 10 fights into his career. Predictably, Johnson finished Cejudo in under three minutes. Just two wins and two years later, though, Cejudo would earn a nip-tuck decision over Johnson to win the belt, which he successfully defended one time against TJ Dillashaw before moving up to bantamweight. Cejudo also holds wins over divisional stalwarts Sergio Pettis, Wilson Reis, and Jussier Formiga.

3. Joseph Benavidez

There’s an argument to be made that Benavidez deserves a higher ranking than Cejudo. Although Cejudo has touched UFC gold, Benavidez has more wins in the division and, importantly, holds a 2016 split decision win over Cejudo. Additionally, Benavidez has been a mainstay in the division since its inception, racking up 13 wins over the course of his UFC flyweight tenure. He twice lost to Johnson but has wins over Formiga (twice) and former title challengers Ali Bagautinov, John Moraga, Elliot, and Ian McCall.

Win or lose against Figueiredo, Benavidez has already solidified his status as one of the best flyweight fighters of all time.

4. John Dodson

In just seven UFC bouts at flyweight, Dodson challenged Johnson for the belt twice, his only two losses in the division. In his first fight with Johnson in 2013, Dodson gave the champion problems early, using his otherworldly speed and power to hurt Johnson with punches. The competitiveness of his first fight with Johnson was enough to sell Dodson as a challenger again in 2015, where he again came up short.

Outside of the two losses to Johnson, Dodson holds stoppage victories over Moraga, Darrell Montague, and Formiga, leaving his mark as one of the most dangerous finishers the flyweight division has seen.

5. Jussier Formiga

Formiga is the only fighter on this list to never challenge Johnson for the title. However, the overall strength of competition and the quality of wins makes him deserving. Formiga came to the UFC in 2012 when the promotion opened up the flyweight division, and since then has put together a 9-5 UFC record. Outside of a misstep against Borg in 2017, Formiga has only ever lost in the UFC to other fighters on this list. He holds impressive wins over Pettis, Reis, and Dustin Ortiz. Less than a year ago, Formiga handed current title challenger Figueiredo his first loss.

UFC Norfolk takes place on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, live from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Follow along with FanSided MMA all your live results and highlights.