Jamesty
As of the month of March in the year 2025, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) features a roster of fighters that have incorporated a variety of martial arts disciplines into their mixed martial arts (MMA) skill sets. Judo is one of these disciplines that has been instrumental in the development of the careers of a number of athletes who are considered to be among the best in their field. The following is an exhaustive look at the top ten UFC fighters that are well-known for their ability in judo technique:
List Of Top 10 Best Judo Fighters In UFC 2025
1. Héctor Lombard
People all over the world who like to fight know the name Héctor Lombard. He is Cuban-Australian and has competed at the highest levels of judo, mixed martial arts (MMA), and bare-knuckle boxing, leaving an undeniable mark on each sport. Lombard is known for his explosive power, aggressive fighting style, and knockout ability. He has built a career around highlight-reel finishes and a relentless approach inside the ring and cage.
2. Hidehiko Yoshida
noted for his outstanding grappling skills and toughness inside the ring, Hidehiko Yoshida is a Japanese judo legend and a former mixed martial artist (MMA) fighter. He is also noted for his impressive grappling abilities. After winning a gold medal in judo at the 1992 Olympic Games, Yoshida later converted into mixed martial arts (MMA). He quickly became a fan favourite in PRIDE Fighting Championships, where he competed against some of the most prominent names in the sport. The combination of his technical judo proficiency, his ability to submit opponents, and his warrior spirit made him one of the most revered individuals in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA) and judo.
3. Karo Parisyan
A former mixed martial artist who is of Armenian and American descent, Karo Parisyan is widely regarded as one of the most important judo-based competitors in the history of mixed martial arts. Parisyan, who is renowned for his explosive throws, proficient submission techniques, and unrelenting aggression, was instrumental in bringing judo techniques to the forefront of the modern mixed martial arts scene. In the past, he was a leading contender in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He faced off against some of the most accomplished fighters of his period, giving him a reputation as a fierce, skilled, and thrilling competitor.
4. Dong Hyun Kim
A former mixed martial artist from South Korea, Dong Hyun Kim, commonly known as “Stun Gun,” is considered to be one of the most successful Asian fighters in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Kim participated in the welterweight division (170 pounds), where he faced some of the best fighters of his age. He was known for his exceptional judo abilities, strong grappling, and unconventional hitting. Kim was a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) who had a number of finishes that were featured on highlight reels. He was famous for his powerful judo throws, persistent pressure, and knockout abilities, which made him a fan favourite and a top-ranked contender throughout his career.
5. Satoshi Ishii
In addition to being a professional mixed martial artist, Satoshi Ishii is a Japanese judo Olympic gold medallist. He has effectively transitioned from the world of judo to the world of mixed martial arts. Ishii has competed against some of the most formidable fighters in the world, demonstrating his adaptability across a variety of weight classes. He is well-known for his exceptional grappling skills, powerful throws, and progressive striking. Throughout his career, Ishii has competed in significant organisations such as PRIDE, RIZIN, Bellator, and the PFL. As a result, he has established a reputation for being one of the most accomplished judokas to transfer into mixed martial arts.
6. Shinya Aoki
Shinya Aoki is a Japanese mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt who is well-known for his exceptional submission skills, aggressive grappling, and unconventional fighting style. As a former lightweight champion of both Dream and ONE Championship, Aoki is widely considered to be among the most dangerous submission specialists in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). He has demonstrated time and again that his ground game is among the greatest in the sport, as seen by the fact that he has won over thirty submissions. “Tobikan Judan” (which literally translates to “The Grandmaster of Flying Submissions”) is the nickname that has been given to him due to his ability to break limbs, strangle out opponents, and dominate through persistent grappling.
7. Rick Hawn
Former American mixed martial artist and Olympic judoka Rick Hawn is renowned for his powerful throws, explosive punching, and well-rounded fighting style. He competed in the sports of judo and mixed martial arts. The majority of his career was spent competing in Bellator Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), where he established himself as one of the most successful judo-based competitors in the history of the promotion. The knockout power, excellent clinch game, and world-class takedown defence that Hawn possessed earned him the title of past Bellator tournament champion in both the lightweight and welterweight categories. The fact that he had a history in judo gave him a special capacity to control battles, and the fact that his striking skills were constantly improving made him a formidable opponent in both divisions.
8. Ronda Rousey
Within the annals of the history of combat sports, Ronda Rousey stands out as one of the most iconic and important characters. Her accomplishments as a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Olympic judo medallist, and WWE superstar were instrumental in pushing women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) to the forefront of mainstream culture. Women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) went from being a niche attraction to becoming a global phenomenon thanks to Rousey, who is famous for her deadly armbar submissions, aggressive fighting style, and unbeaten dominance during her prime competitive years. She has had a successful career in professional wrestling (WWE), acting, and business, which elevates her to the position of being one of the most recognisable combat sports athletes in the world. Her influence extends beyond mixed martial arts (MMA).
9. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Known by his stage name “Sexyama,” Yoshihiro Akiyama is a Japanese-Korean mixed martial artist, judoka, and entertainer who rose to prominence all over the world due to his explosive fighting style, high-level judo skills, and charismatic personality. After competing in K-1, DREAM, UFC, and ONE Championship, Akiyama became one of the most well-known mixed martial arts fighters based on judo. He combines his Olympic-level throws with aggressive striking to create a formidable combination. Outside of the ring, his appearance, which was reminiscent of a movie star, his sense of style, and his presence in the media made him a fan favourite in Japan and South Korea.
10. Fedor Emelianenko
It is generally agreed upon that Fedor Emelianenko is among the most accomplished mixed martial artists in the history of the sport. He was a former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion and dominated the sport for more than a decade. He went nearly 10 years without losing a fight and defeated some of the most prominent figures in mixed martial arts history to achieve this achievement. Fedor, often known as “The Last Emperor,” was a formidable opponent in his peak because he possessed amazing toughness, elite-level sambo, and devastating hitting. He was a force that was nearly impossible to defeat. Even after his spectacular run in PRIDE, he continued to compete in organisations such as Strikeforce, Bellator, and RIZIN, further solidifying his status in the sport.
