Best Jiu-Jitsu UFC Fighters
Master the elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners dominating the UFC. Discover submission records, championship victories, and how modern BJJ shapes MMA success from champions like Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.
Are you curious to know who the most successful jiu-jitsu practitioners in the Ultimate Fighting Championship are? The UFC is an elite platform for mixed martial arts and brings together some of the world’s most talented fighters, many of whom have a background in jiu-jitsu, sambo, wrestling, and kickboxing.
2025 Jiu-Jitsu Meta Update: While submission rates have declined to historically low levels, BJJ remains essential for MMA success. Charles Oliveira holds the all-time record with 17 submission wins, while active champions like Islam Makhachev and Alexandre Pantoja continue proving that elite-level grappling dominates modern competition.
This comprehensive guide explores the top Jiu-Jitsu fighters who excel in the UFC. You’ll discover some of the best athletes who have mastered the BJJ martial art and have made a name for themselves in the UFC. We’ll highlight their accomplishments, skills, and how their Jiu-Jitsu expertise has helped them in the octagon.
The Evolution of BJJ in Modern MMA
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s role in mixed martial arts has undergone significant transformation since Royce Gracie introduced the art to the world at UFC 1. While submission rates have declined—with 2024 recording the second-lowest submission rate in UFC history at approximately 16%—BJJ remains an indispensable foundation for MMA success.
The statistics reveal a fascinating paradox: finish rates dropped to 44.8% in the UFC during 2024 (the lowest among major global MMA promotions), yet over 27% of UFC main events continue to be headlined by BJJ black belts. This apparent contradiction illustrates an important truth—modern BJJ has adapted rather than diminished in importance.
The Best Jiu-Jitsu UFC Fighters
Charles Oliveira — The Submission King
Record: 35-11-0
Charles Oliveira da Silva, known as “do Bronx,” stands as the undisputed submission king of UFC history. Born on October 17, 1989, in Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil, Oliveira overcame childhood poverty and health challenges to become one of the sport’s most prolific finishers.
Record-Setting Achievements:
- 17 submission wins (all-time UFC record)
- 20 total finishes (all-time UFC record)
- Former UFC Lightweight Champion (2021)
- 93.7% finish rate
- 17 Performance/Fight of the Night bonuses
Oliveira’s submission arsenal is remarkably diverse: 10 rear-naked chokes, 4 guillotines, 4 anaconda chokes, and various arm entanglements. At 35 years old, he continues competing at the elite level despite recent setbacks.
Islam Makhachev — The Modern Meta Master
Record: 28-1-0 | Submission Wins: 11 (8 in UFC)
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev represents the evolution of MMA grappling—a seamless fusion of Dagestani wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and sambo. Born on October 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Makhachev has become the most dominant fighter of the modern era.
Notable Accomplishments:
- Current UFC Lightweight & Welterweight Champion
- Longest winning streak in UFC history (16 consecutive wins)
- 5 title-fight victories in lightweight division
- Submission victories over elite black belts
Makhachev’s grappling arsenal features D’arce chokes, arm-triangle chokes, rear-naked chokes, and perfectly timed submissions. His striking accuracy of 59.5% is the highest in lightweight history, demonstrating how elite grappling creates striking opportunities.
Alexandre Pantoja — Division Dominance
Record: 30-6-0 | Division Record: 14-3
Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja has quietly built one of the most impressive resumes in the UFC flyweight division. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pantoja holds a BJJ black belt and has transformed from The Ultimate Fighter competitor to dominant champion.
Division Records:
- Most wins in UFC flyweight history (14)
- Most submissions in UFC flyweight history (6)
- Most finishes in UFC flyweight history (8)
- 4 consecutive title defenses
Pantoja’s rear-naked choke has become his signature weapon. Unlike pure BJJ specialists, Pantoja blends aggressive striking with opportunistic grappling, creating dynamic scrambles where his superior technique prevails.
Demian Maia — The Pure Grappler
Record: 28-15 | Submission Wins: 11 (3rd all-time)
Demian Maia represents pure Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at its highest level applied to MMA. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 6, 1977, Maia earned gold medals at the ADCC World Championships, World Jiu-Jitsu Cup, and Pan-American Championships before entering the UFC.
UFC Achievements:
- 11 submission wins (3rd all-time in UFC history)
- Multiple “Submission of the Night” bonuses
- UFC middleweight and welterweight title challenger
- Victories over top contenders through grappling mastery
Maia’s methodical approach—take opponents down, advance to dominant positions, and finish with submissions—became a blueprint for how high-level BJJ translates to mixed martial arts success.
Mackenzie Dern — Women’s Grappling Elite
Record: 16-5-0 | Submission Wins: 8
Mackenzie Lynne Dern has achieved something remarkable—becoming both a world-champion grappler and UFC titleholder. Born on March 24, 1993, to renowned BJJ black belt Wellington “Megaton” Dias, Dern was destined for grappling greatness.
Career Highlights:
- Current UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion
- Most submission wins in UFC women’s strawweight history (5)
- Multiple IBJJF World Championships
- 4 Performance of the Night bonuses
Dern’s submission game is exceptionally sophisticated, featuring rear-naked chokes, armbars, and rare techniques like the kneebar. Her recent armbar submission of Amanda Ribas demonstrated her continuing mastery of ground attacks.
Jailton Almeida — The Rising Submission Specialist
Record: 22-4-0 | Career Submissions: 13
Jailton “Malhadinho” Almeida represents the new generation of Brazilian submission artists. Born on June 6, 1991, in Salvador, Brazil, Almeida holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has quickly become one of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous finishers.
Notable Victories:
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik (RNC, May 2023)
- Shamil Abdurakhimov (TKO, January 2023)
- Alexander Romanov (RNC, June 2024)
- Serghei Spivac (TKO, January 2025)
Unlike traditional heavyweight fighters relying primarily on knockout power, Almeida actively pursues ground finishes, making him a unique threat in a division dominated by strikers. Most of his victories come in the first or second round.
Renato Moicano — The Rear-Naked Choke Master
Record: 20-7-1 | Submission Specialization: RNC Only
Renato “Moicano” Alves Carneiro has built a reputation as one of the lightweight division’s most dangerous submission artists. Born on May 21, 1989, in Brazil, Moicano holds a BJJ black belt and boasts an exceptional record with 10 career submission wins—all by rear-naked choke.
Career Highlights:
- 10 submission wins (all rear-naked chokes)
- #10 UFC lightweight rankings
- Victory over Beneil Dariush (June 2025)
- Challenges for titles on short notice
Moicano’s specialization in the rear-naked choke demonstrates technical mastery of MMA’s most effective submission. His ability to take the back and finish fights from that dominant position makes him extremely dangerous in any grappling exchange.
Other Notable BJJ Fighters in the UFC
Several additional fighters deserve recognition for their elite jiu-jitsu skills:
Ilia Topuria — Current Lightweight Champion
Georgia’s first BJJ black belt in 2018, Topuria has evolved from submission specialist to complete fighter. His first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 showcased devastating striking power, though his grappling credentials remain elite.
Khamzat Chimaev — Middleweight Champion
The current UFC Middleweight Champion combines Chechen wrestling with high-level submissions. With a perfect 15-0-0 record, Chimaev has six submission wins demonstrating his grappling dominance across multiple weight divisions.
Gilbert Burns — Former Title Challenger
Durinho” is a 2011 IBJJF World Champion who transitioned to MMA with tremendous success. His nine UFC submission wins (including five armbars) demonstrate world-class BJJ credentials despite recent losing streak.
Tony Ferguson — El Cucuy
An Eddie Bravo trained 10th Planet black belt, Ferguson earned his interim UFC Lightweight Championship through submissions and unorthodox techniques. Known for his dangerous guillotines and triangle chokes.
Brian Ortega — T-City
A Rener Gracie-trained black belt with eight career submission wins. Ortega’s technical proficiency with guillotines and triangle chokes makes him one of the featherweight division’s most dangerous grapplers.
Royce Gracie — Legendary Pioneer
The man who introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the world at UFC 1. Royce’s dominance in early UFC tournaments proved that superior grappling could overcome size and strength—forever changing combat sports.
The Importance of Jiu-Jitsu in Modern UFC
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remains foundational to MMA success despite evolving meta-game strategies. The integration of BJJ with wrestling, striking, and conditioning creates the hybrid athletes dominating today’s UFC.
Defensive Necessity: Every successful UFC fighter requires submission defense. Elite strikers invest heavily in grappling defense because one mistake can end a fight. BJJ knowledge is non-negotiable for modern MMA success.
Key Areas Where BJJ Dominates Modern MMA
Positional Control
Modern MMA judging heavily weights control time and dominant positions—both BJJ concepts. Fighters use wrestling takedowns combined with BJJ positional awareness to win rounds even without finishing.
Submission Threat Advantage
Even when submissions don’t finish fights, their threat changes opponent behavior. The psychological advantage multiplies throughout five-round championship fights.
Cross-Training Benefits
BJJ develops essential MMA attributes—body awareness, leverage understanding, and the ability to remain calm under physical pressure. These skills translate directly to handling adversity in fights.
Statistical Validation
While submission rates have declined, choke submissions still put opponents unconscious 11.6% of the time. When applied correctly, fundamental BJJ techniques remain devastatingly effective.
Final Thoughts: BJJ’s Enduring Legacy in the UFC
The UFC has served as the ultimate proving ground for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to demonstrate their skills and establish themselves as elite mixed martial artists. From pioneers like Royce Gracie to modern champions like Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev, Alexandre Pantoja, and Mackenzie Dern, these fighters have proven jiu-jitsu’s enduring effectiveness in MMA.
The greatest Jiu-Jitsu UFC fighters include Charles Oliveira (17 submission wins record), Islam Makhachev (lightweight/welterweight champion), Alexandre Pantoja (flyweight records), Demian Maia (11 submissions), Mackenzie Dern (strawweight champion), Jailton Almeida (heavyweight finisher), and legendary Royce Gracie, alongside elite grapplers like Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, and Renato Moicano.
These athletes’ dedication to jiu-jitsu mastery has not only led to championship victories but has influenced how the martial art is perceived and practiced globally. While submission rates have declined as defensive grappling improves across all divisions, BJJ remains essential for MMA success. The art has evolved from closed guard dominance to dynamic back attacks, leg entanglements, and seamless integration with wrestling—but its core principles of leverage, position, and submission remain fundamental to mixed martial arts.
Your BJJ-MMA Development Plan
Study the Masters
Watch matches from Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev, and Demian Maia. Notice how elite passers chain techniques, adapt to defensive reactions, and create positional pressure that breaks down defenses systematically.
Master Fundamental Submissions
The rear-naked choke, guillotine, and armbar account for the vast majority of UFC submission victories. Perfect these before pursuing flashy techniques.
Develop Defensive Grappling
Modern MMA requires world-class submission defense. Fighters without elite-level grappling knowledge become one mistake away from defeat.
Integrate with Striking and Wrestling
The hybrid fighters dominating the UFC combine BJJ with wrestling takedowns and striking combinations. Avoid being a pure specialist—develop balanced skills across all ranges.
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Learn More About Your Training PathFrequently Asked Questions
Who Is Considered the Best Jiu-Jitsu Fighter in the UFC?
Charles Oliveira is widely regarded as the greatest Jiu-Jitsu fighter in UFC history, holding the all-time record with 17 submission wins and 20 total finishes. For active fighters, Islam Makhachev’s dominant championship reign and Alexandre Pantoja’s flyweight division records demonstrate elite-level jiu-jitsu application in modern MMA.
Which UFC Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Has the Most Submission Wins?
Charles Oliveira holds the record for most submission wins in UFC history with 17, surpassing Jim Miller’s 13 submissions. Jim Miller ranks second, followed by Demian Maia and Gerald Meerschaert tied for third with 11 each. Nate Diaz rounds out the top five with 10 submission victories.
Has Any Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Won a UFC Championship?
Multiple Jiu-Jitsu fighters have captured UFC championships. Charles Oliveira won the Lightweight Championship in 2021. Islam Makhachev currently holds both the Lightweight and Welterweight Championships. Alexandre Pantoja is the reigning Flyweight Champion with four successful defenses. Mackenzie Dern won the Women’s Strawweight Championship in October 2025.
Who Is the Highest-Ranked Jiu-Jitsu Fighter in the UFC?
Islam Makhachev currently holds the highest ranking as the UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion. Ilia Topuria holds the Lightweight Championship. Khamzat Chimaev is the Middleweight Champion. Mackenzie Dern holds the Women’s Strawweight Championship.
How Many UFC Fighters Are Black Belts in Jiu-Jitsu?
The exact number constantly changes as new fighters enter and receive promotions. Notable current black belts include Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria, Mackenzie Dern, Leon Edwards, Dustin Poirier, Gilbert Burns, Renato Moicano, and Tony Ferguson. However, not all elite fighters hold black belts—some rely instead on wrestling and sambo backgrounds.
