10 best UFC Fighters Who Are BJJ Black Belts

When it comes to finding out the most impactful MMA fighter, most would look to the UFC. The company has a penchant for attracting the best talents from around the world. These fighters bring with them their unique styles and capabilities.

There are many hard hitters and wrestlers in the MMA world, but the most underrated and show-stoppers are the BJJ fighters. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a form of art in the UFC where a fighter combines technique, strength, and endurance to beat their opponent even if they are a hard hitter.

In UFC, many fans have seen their favorite star getting defeated by BJJ fighters despite the strength disparity. These fighters are especially dangerous on the ground, even when they’re on their back. Here, we take a look at some of the best active BJJ practitioners in the UFC.

Best UFC fighters who are BJJ Black Belts

1. Charles Oliveira

Charles Oliveira made a statement in the mixed martial arts world by getting a win even when all seemed lost. The former champion has 22 wins in the UFC of which 16 are by submission.

Till now, Oliveira has had the most submission wins in UFC. He used the Rear-Naked choke submission to finish Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier in title fights. Currently, the Brazilian is on a quest to regain his lightweight title from Islam Makhachev.

2. Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns is one of those fighters who are known for their striking as well as their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has won the IBJJF World Championship twice, the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro, and the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals once.

With such accolades, it is no wonder that he is one of the best active BBJ practitioners in the UFC. Fighters have feared his submission skills and deliberately refused to engage him on the ground. His last fight in the UFC was a loss against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299.

3. Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern has practiced BJJ since the age of 3, and she is related to the Gracie family. She is often considered one of the best female BJJ practitioners of her generation.

She has won multiple BJJ championships at the international level and is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC. Her current record in MMA stands at 13-5. Out of her eight wins in the UFC, four have come via submission.

5. Brian Ortega

Brian Ortega is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu graduate from the legendary Gracie Academy. He has a record of 16-3 in MMA. Ortega fought for the title twice in his career. His submission game helped him put on a winning streak to earn the title fight.

His favorite finishing move seems to be the guillotine choke, having employed it multiple times to succession. He has 4 submission wins in the UFC.

5. Paddy Pimblett

In the past, Paddy Pimblett has declared that BJJ was the first thing he fell in love with. He started BJJ at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since. As a small fighter, he often fought off his back, which allowed him to develop his exceptional submission skills.

Many people considered him to be Conor McGregor’s successor owing to their flamboyant personalities. Pimblett infamously submitted Jordan Leavitt in the UFC. He is 21-3 in MMA.

6. Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight champion of the UFC. He first started training in BJJ at the age of 12, thanks to his father. His father knew that Tom would become successful in MMA because he was naturally athletic and won several BJJ championships at a young age.

He has used this ability in the UFC to become the champion. He submitted Andrei Arlovski via submission. Aspinall also submitted Alexander Volkov with dominance and ease. His MMA record stands at 14-3.

7. Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida started training in BJJ at the age of 11. His father is a former boxer who has always had his back. Almeida has showcased his skill as an elite grappler in the heavyweight division.

The Brazilian aims to be the next big thing in the UFC heavyweight division and is well on his way. Almeida is destined to fight for the title considering his skill set. He has 12 wins by submission in his MMA career.

8. Brendan Allen

Brendan Allen started BJJ at the age of 13 before transitioning to MMA. Allen is a legitimate threat in the middleweight division with his grappling skills. He has a knack for submitting fighters with Rear-Naked Choke. He has 10 submission wins using the RNC.

Allen has been making waves in the UFC after earning a spot by submitting Aaron Jeffery at Dana White’s Contender Series 20. He has 14 wins via submission in his MMA career, making him one of the best BJJ UFC fighters.

9. Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling was one of the most dominant bantamweight champions in the UFC before his loss to Sean O’Malley. Fighters feared Sterling for his grappling skills.

The Funkmaster defended his title 4 times thanks to his grappling skills. Currently, he is eying a move to the featherweight division due to excessive stress during a weight cut at bantamweight.

10. Erin Blanchfield

Erin Blanchfield is unbeaten in UFC. Three of her six wins in the UFC have come via submission. She has outstanding cardio that compliments her grappling skills very well.

This stat shouldn’t be surprising, considering she trains at Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Eventually, Blanchfield would like to fight for the flyweight title of the UFC. She is primed to fight for the title soon.

In case you missed it!

• Top 10 greatest MMA fighters of all time
• Top 10 Richest UFC Fighters (2023)