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America is the birthplace of the UFC, and with that came domination from American fighters, especially during the sport's infancy.
PlayStar, the home of online casino promotions, has picked out its top five American fighters who have fought in the UFC.
As America has had so much success in the UFC, it should come as no surprise that this list will contain all fighters who have held a title.
Long before “Champ-Champ” status became a thing, Randy “The Natural” Couture was doing it. Couture, a former wrestling standout and U.S. Army veteran, did not step into the UFC until his thirties and showed what was possible for older fighters.
He became a five-time UFC champion, winning titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. He was often against the younger, stronger, and faster opponents. Couture’s greatest weapon wasn’t his strength and size - it was his strategy. He fought smart, used his wrestling to dominate in the clinch, and neutralized any danger that came his way.
Couture shocked the world at 43 years old when he defeated Tim Sylvia to reclaim the heavyweight title. With this victory, he became the oldest champion in UFC history - a record that still stands to this day.
From the gritty streets of Cleveland, Ohio, Stipe Miocic embodied the American dream. A part-time firefighter, Miocic was as humble as they came - until the Octagon doors shut. Then, he became a monster.
The heavyweight division has always been unpredictable, but Miocic brought stability through sheer grit and skill. He wasn’t the flashiest, but he had power, wrestling, and championship heart. With wins over Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Francis Ngannou, and Daniel Cormier, he built a résumé unlike any heavyweight before him.
Stipe defended the UFC heavyweight title three times in a row, a record in the division known for chaos. And after losing to Cormier, he came back to reclaim his title - proving that resilience was as much a part of his game as his right hand.
In another era, Daniel Cormier might have been undefeated. A former Olympian, Cormier didn’t enter MMA until his 30s, yet quickly rose through the ranks with elite wrestling and relentless pressure.
He became a two-division UFC champion, claiming titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight - a feat only a few have ever achieved. But it was more than titles; it was his story. He overcame personal tragedy, late starts, and devastating losses - most notably to Jon Jones - but never lost his dignity.
Cormier’s rivalry with Jones defined a generation, but his greatest moment came at UFC 226 when he knocked out Miocic to become the second-ever Champ-Champ in UFC history.
More than a fighter, Cormier was also a teacher, a commentator, and a role model. He proved that greatness isn't just measured in wins - it's measured in how you carry yourself in both victory and defeat.
While some fighters towered over opponents, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson did the opposite - dazzling fans with speed, creativity, and surgical precision. Fighting at flyweight, Johnson was often overlooked in the promotion's spotlight, but real fans knew: he was the most complete fighter in the world.
Johnson wasn’t just winning - he was evolving in real time. Fight after fight, he adapted and outclassed elite challengers. His legendary streak of 11 consecutive UFC title defenses remains a benchmark of his continued success during his UFC tenure. From wrestling to striking to submissions, Johnson had no weaknesses.
One of his most iconic moments came in a title fight against Ray Borg, when he lifted his opponent into the air for a suplex - and mid-throw, transitioned into an armbar. It was a moment so absurdly technical, fans and fighters alike were stunned.
Even though Johnson was eventually traded to One Championship, his UFC legacy cannot be denied, and he will go down as one of the all-time greats in the sport.
Jon “Bones” Jones became a UFC champion at just 23 and is still the youngest champion in the promotion's history. Coming from a family of athletes, Jones brought a rare blend of size, speed, and unorthodox striking to the UFC. He dominated the light heavyweight division for many years, with his freakishly long reach and brilliant fight IQ.
As soon as Jones beat the legendary Shogun Rua to win the title, he never looked back and went on to beat many legendary UFC fighters, including Daniel Cormier, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira. While Jones has had his fair share of controversies in his outside life, his dominance inside the cage remains untouched.
Some people beat champions, but Jones did more than that; he made great fighters look average. In 2023, he made the move up to the heavyweight division and captured that title after a few years out of the sport. This victory capped off an incredible career and cemented his place at the top of this list.
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