Who are the 5 most popular MMA fighters in history?

I'd put Ronda in at #3. Possibly #2.

I think Khabib is probably bigger today than GSP, Anderson, or Jones, but his legacy now is far greater than his popularity when he was active. He's become an international star with an enormous following in the muslim community.
 
Based on thread count alone Jones, Stipe, and Aspinall, 1, 2, 3... :D
 
After Conor it's anyone's guess.

Why are we guessing, again?
 
jx820 said:
I'd put Ronda in at #3. Possibly #2.

I think Khabib is probably bigger today than GSP, Anderson, or Jones, but his legacy now is far greater than his popularity when he was active. He's become an international star with an enormous following in the muslim community.
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I forgot Khabib, damn. Yeah it's a tough list...Anderson is really big in Brazil, Khabib is huge in Russia, Central Assia and Caucasian republics while being a global name too. In US Jones is very well known.
 
Conor, Lesnar, and Ronda are the obvious ones based off of cross over and PPV Sales. Lot of people saying GSP, Anderson and Jones but I'm not so sure I would think Kimbo, Diaz, and Gracie despite not being as good were more in the zeitgeist. I'd argue Chuck and Tito as well. On 2nd thought Jones possibly only because his constant fuck ups not his fighting could be higher.
 
HuskySamoan said:
I forgot Khabib, damn. Yeah it's a tough list...Anderson is really big in Brazil, Khabib is huge in Russia, Central Assia and Caucasian republics while being a global name too. In US Jones is very well known.
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In Brazil Jones is probably the most popular foreign name (Ronda and Connor are close)

Among brazilian fighters Anderson is absolute. Followed by Minotauro and Vitor
Machida an Shogun are only known by hardcore fans :(
 
My list:
1 - Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic
2 - Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko
3 - Dan Henderson
4 - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira "Minotauro"
5 - Royce Gracie
 
Morning Star said:
Conor, Lesnar, and Ronda are the obvious ones based off of cross over and PPV Sales. Lot of people saying GSP, Anderson and Jones but I'm not so sure I would think Kimbo, Diaz, and Gracie despite not being as good were more in the zeitgeist. I'd argue Chuck and Tito as well. On 2nd thought Jones possibly only because his constant fuck ups not his fighting could be higher.
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This.

Conor, Lesnar and Ronda in that order are the only UFC fighters to generate >$1M buys on more than 1 card AND have mainstream crossover appeal. McG had 8, Lesnar 3 and Ronda had 2. Poirier and Diaz also had 2 (because they were fighting McG) and Nunes had 2 (against Rousey and Tate), but I don't see those guys being recognized on the street other than MAYBE Diaz.

After that it drops off quite a bit. Masvidal and Khabib had one big >$1M card each but I don't think casuals know who they are. #4 and #5 are probably Jones, Silva or GSP all of whom did high 6 figures buys for many years.

www.tapology.com

Pay Per View Buys | Tapology

Search results of combat sports records and statistics from Tapology.
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But biggest UFC star right now is probably Poatan and him vs. Jones would be a huge fight.
 
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It varies by region.

Fedor should be #1 but he won't be in places like the USA and Brazil if you asked people there. I don't think he'd even be #1 in Japan. I think Anoki, Sakuraba and Wand on average would be higher on people's list there. In the USA you'll get the obvious McGregor, Brock, etc. in Brazil I'm guessing you'll here a lot of Royce, Vitor, Anderson, Ruas, etc. Canadians will obviously vote GSP unanimously #1 if you ask them.
 
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