18 of the best male Bellator fighters of all-time [UPDATED]

Best male Bellator fighter: Pat Curran

Pat Curran has long been one of the faces of Bellator’s featherweight division and has been a key player in Bellator throughout most of its history. Curran is also the first fighter to win tournaments in two different weight classes, setting the stage for the likes of Ryan Bader and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire to win titles in different divisions.

Curran made his Bellator debut at Bellator 14, going on to win the season two lightweght tournament but ultimately coming up short in his title fight against Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 39. Curran then switched weight classes, moving down to featherweight, and won the Summer Series Featherweight Tournament before knocking out Joe Warren to win the Bellator featherweight title at Bellator 60.

Curran defended the title twice, including once against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, before dropping the title to Daniel Straus — whom he four years prior. Curran won the bout back in a rubber match at Bellator 112 but dropped the title in a rematch with Patricio Freire at Bellator 123.

Curran won three of his next four, but took a 19-month layoff before recently returning at Bellator 221, dropping a decision to AJ McKee.

- Thomas Albano