The Best Wrestlers in the UFC Ranked for 2026

Wrestling is the cheat code. Always has been, always will be. You can have the sickest striking in the world but if some dude with a college wrestling background decides you're getting slammed on your head, guess what? You're getting slammed on your head. And if you're betting UFC without knowing who actually wrestled at elite levels, you're just gambling blind.

Wrestlers decide where fights happen. That's the ultimate advantage in a sport where location determines everything. So who are the guys actually imposing their will in 2026? Let's break it down.

The Top 10 Wrestlers Right Now

1. Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight Champion)

The Machine holds the UFC record for most takedowns in history with 117. Not 70, not 90. One hundred and seventeen. His volume-based wrestling approach is exhausting just to watch. Twenty takedowns in single fights. Current 13-fight win streak including victories over Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, Jose Aldo, Petr Yan (twice), and Sean O'Malley (twice, including a submission). His 2019 World Sambo Championships silver medal backs up the MMA credentials. At 34, Merab's cardio seems superhuman. He leads bantamweight with 2,202 total strikes landed because his boxing sets up takedowns. When evaluating wrestling matchups, Merab is the ultimate volume wrestler. Bet the over on total rounds because his fights rarely end early.

2. Islam Makhachev (Welterweight Champion)

Two-time Combat Sambo World Champion who just became the first Russian two-division UFC champ. His 28-1 record with 16 straight wins includes submissions of Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Renato Moicano. That 90.9% takedown defense is second-best in lightweight history. After dominating 155, he moved to welterweight and beat Jack Della Maddalena in November. His grappling style integrates freestyle wrestling, judo throws, and submissions into a suffocating system. Training under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov alongside Khabib created the blueprint. At 33 with only one loss (2015 knockout), Islam's wrestling makes him nearly unbettable as a favorite.

3. Bo Nickal (Middleweight #8)

The most credentialed pure wrestler ever in UFC. Three-time NCAA Division I National Champion at Penn State. Won the Dan Hodge Trophy (wrestling's Heisman). Final college record: 120-3 with 59 pins and a 68-match winning streak to end his career. Also won the 2019 U23 World Championship and reached the 2020 US Olympic Trials finals before losing to Kyle Dake. Now 7-0 in MMA with all finishes, six in the first round. His UFC debut came after two Contender Series submissions. Faces Reinier de Ridder next, then wrestles 48-year-old Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero on January 10. The question isn't his wrestling, it's his striking development. If his hands catch up to his takedowns, middleweight is fucked. Understanding takedown rate defense metrics shows why Bo's credentials matter so much.

4. Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight Champion)

Undefeated 15-0 and absolutely terrifying. Three-time Swedish National Freestyle Wrestling Champion who obliterated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 with 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time in a 25-minute fight. Landed 12 takedowns on 17 attempts while throwing 529 total strikes. His 65.8% career control time ranks third-highest in UFC history. Got the first-ever submission of Robert Whittaker with a face crank. The weakness? Cardio in five-rounders. He struggled against Kamaru Usman's wrestling defense and pace. Against elite defensive positions like turtle or tripod, his efficiency drops. But against middleweights without elite wrestling? He mauls them. At 31, if he solves the cardio issues, he's champion for years.

5. Kamaru Usman (Welterweight #5)

The Nigerian Nightmare revolutionized welterweight wrestling during his five-title-defense reign. 2010 NCAA Division II National Champion who finished that season 44-1 with 30 straight wins. Started wrestling late (high school sophomore) which actually helped his MMA career because less accumulated damage. Nineteen consecutive UFC wins showcased wrestling evolution, then he added devastating striking under Trevor Wittman. At 38, four straight losses suggest age has caught up, but his technical knowledge and strength still threaten most welterweights. When analyzing how styles clash, Usman's wrestling base created nightmare matchups for strikers.

6. Umar Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight #2)

Cousin of Khabib with Master of Sport credentials in both wrestling and MMA. His 19-1 record features elite chain wrestling, back-taking ability, and submission threats. Used the truck position to take Cory Sandhagen's back, showing advanced wrestling-to-submission transitions. Lands 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes but his efficiency matters more than volume. Lost a close decision to Merab at UFC 311 but many observers thought Umar's technical wrestling was superior. Rematch is inevitable. At 29, he's entering his prime.

7. Belal Muhammad (Welterweight #5)

Former welterweight champ with the fourth-highest takedown defense in UFC history at 93.3%. No NCAA credentials but trains alongside D1 national champions including two-time NCAA champ Roman Bravo-Young. Submitted Takashi Sato with a rear-naked choke and neutralized Sean Brady's elite grappling. His wrestling success relies on anticipation, hand fighting, and cage positioning rather than explosiveness. At 38, recent losses to Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Machado Garry suggest declining athleticism but his defensive wrestling remains elite.

8. Jon Jones (Heavyweight Champion)

Most UFC title fight wins in history (14) with underrated wrestling that controlled elite grapplers his entire career. His 95.0% takedown defense is among the best ever recorded. Competed at Iowa Central Community College but never at NCAA Division I. His creative clinch wrestling using elbows, shoulder strikes, and dirty boxing creates offensive opportunities. Submitted Ciryl Gane with a first-round guillotine and controlled Stipe Miocic en route to knockout at UFC 309. At 38, his wrestling relies on length (84.5-inch reach), fight IQ, and timing rather than athleticism. That cerebral approach extends his career.

9. Arman Tsarukyan (Lightweight #2)

Armenian-Russian powerhouse with Master of Sport credentials in both wrestling and MMA. His 23-3 record features explosive double-legs and chain wrestling. Won expert middleweight division at NAGA Los Angeles 2023 by submitting all three opponents. Lands 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes with ferocious pressure. Recent dominance over ADCC-level grappler Mateusz Gamrot solidified his championship credentials. Understanding wrestling chains shows why Arman's pressure is so effective.

10. Colby Covington (Welterweight)

NCAA Division I All-American from Oregon State who won Pac-10 Conference Championships in 2010 and 2011. Earlier won 2007 NJCAA National Championship at Iowa Central with perfect 34-0 record as a true freshman. His relentless pace, cage pressing, and volume striking mirror Merab's blueprint: overwhelm through cardio and output. At 37, still top 10 welterweight. Faces Luke Rockhold in grappling match at Real American Freestyle on January 10.

Shurzy Tip: Check NCAA credentials before betting. Three-time champions and Olympic medalists have different success rates than guys who just "wrestled in college." Pedigree matters.

Why Wrestlers Win You Money

Wrestling dictates location. That's everything in MMA. Strikers can't strike on their backs. Submission artists can't hunt subs without position. Wrestlers decide where and how fights happen, which means they control outcomes. When analyzing fighter matchups, wrestling credentials predict success better than any other attribute.

Here's how to capitalize:

• Decision props with volume wrestlers. Merab and Belal grind out decisions. They rarely finish but they win rounds through control time.
• Method of victory on elite wrestlers vs strikers. When Bo Nickal fights pure strikers, submission props carry value since most bettors just hammer his moneyline.
• Fade strikers with weak takedown defense. Check takedown defense metrics before betting. Under 70% against elite wrestlers is asking for trouble.
• Live betting when wrestlers secure takedowns. Once a wrestler gets dominant position in round one, their odds tighten significantly for live betting.

Shurzy Tip: Defensive wrestling (Belal's 93.3%, Jones' 95%) matters as much as offensive wrestling. Guys who can't be taken down force opponents to stand and trade.

NCAA vs Dagestan: Two Systems Dominating

Two wrestling philosophies produce UFC champions, and understanding both gives you betting edges.

NCAA System: American collegiate wrestling creates volume-based grapplers through:

• Grueling training camps and brutal weight cuts
• Folkstyle emphasis on control and escapes
• Constant mat action building scrambling ability
• Defensive maturity from referee's position

Bo Nickal, Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo (Olympic but also NCAA-trained), and Colby Covington all represent this path. Penn State under Cael Sanderson, Oklahoma State, and Iowa produce UFC-bound wrestlers regularly.

Dagestan System: Russian Combat Sambo creates technical grapplers through:

• Integrated training in wrestling, judo, and sambo from childhood
• Emphasis on MMA applicability over sport-specific rules
• Seamless transitions between striking, clinch, and ground
• Submission threats alongside positional control

Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Khabib's legacy represent this system. They don't have NCAA credentials but their international wrestling credentials (Master of Sport, World Championships) prove elite skill.

The betting angle? NCAA wrestlers rely more on athleticism and cardio. As they age (mid-30s), their effectiveness declines. Dagestan wrestlers emphasize technique over explosiveness, creating longer championship windows.

Shurzy Tip: Bet Dagestan wrestlers as slight favorites and NCAA wrestlers as underdogs. The former are usually undervalued because casual fans don't recognize Combat Sambo credentials.

Volume Wrestling vs Technical Wrestling

Two approaches win UFC titles:

Volume Approach (Merab's Model):

• Twenty-plus takedown attempts per fight
• Constant positional changes draining opponent's will
• Relentless pace requiring superhuman cardio
• Success relies on conditioning overwhelming skill

Technical Approach (Islam's Model):

• Selective, high-percentage takedowns
• Dominant top control creating submission threats
• Efficiency over volume
• Success relies on positional superiority

Both work at championship level. Fighter body type, cardio capacity, and skillset determine optimal strategy. Merab at 5'6" with endless cardio can sustain volume. Islam at 5'10" with Combat Sambo mastery doesn't need volume.

For betting, volume wrestlers need five rounds to impose their pace. Technical wrestlers can win three-rounders efficiently. When checking prop bet types, consider whether the wrestler needs time or just position.

Olympic Wrestling in UFC

Gold Medalists:

• Henry Cejudo (2008, 55kg) - Two-division UFC champion, retired
• Gable Steveson (2020, 125kg) - UFC debut scheduled June 2026
• Mark Schultz (1984, 82kg) - Early UFC competitor
• Kevin Jackson (1992, 82kg) - UFC pioneer

Silver Medalists:

• Yoel Romero (2000, 85kg) - Multiple title challenges, now competing in Real American Freestyle at 48

The success rate of Olympic wrestlers entering UFC in their athletic prime approaches 100%. Cejudo won two UFC titles. Steveson's debut awaits but expectations are massive. Romero challenged for UFC gold multiple times, losing controversial decisions many observers scored for him.

The 24-year-old Steveson debuts June 14, 2026, at "UFC White House." His Olympic gold at 275 pounds makes him the youngest American champion in that class. If his striking develops even to adequate levels, his wrestling could dominate a heavyweight division lacking elite grapplers.

Shurzy Tip: Olympic wrestlers are often undervalued early in UFC careers because casual fans don't respect international credentials. Early career betting on Olympic medalists creates value before hype catches up.

Rising Wrestlers to Watch

These prospects aren't top 10 yet but they're coming:

• Gable Steveson (Heavyweight) - 2020 Olympic gold medalist, UFC debut June 2026, could revolutionize heavyweight wrestling
• Bo Nickal (Middleweight) - Already ranked #8 but still rising, most credentialed NCAA wrestler ever in UFC
• Umar Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight) - Rematch with Merab could shift the title
• Movsar Evloev (Featherweight) - 19-0 with Master of Sports in Greco-Roman wrestling, 40 UFC takedowns

Get familiar now. Betting wrestlers before they fight for titles is where value lives.

Women's Wrestling Elite

Tatiana Suarez brings the most impressive credentials in women's MMA history: two-time World Championships bronze medalist (2008, 2010), 2007 Junior World Championships silver medalist, 2008 Pan American Championships gold medalist, and two-time National High School Wrestler of the Year (first wrestler ever to win twice). Lost a title shot to Zhang Weili but her 29 UFC takedowns and 60.4% striking accuracy demonstrate elite wrestling application. She's 35 now but her technique doesn't fade with age.

Mackenzie Dern (strawweight champion) improved her wrestling dramatically. Her takedown setups now complement her BJJ black belt submission threats, creating complete grappling.

Shurzy Tip: Women's MMA has fewer elite wrestlers, so when you find one with legitimate credentials, the betting edge is huge. Suarez against strikers is almost guaranteed value.

Defensive Wrestling Wins Championships

Offensive statistics get attention but defensive wrestling wins titles. Belal Muhammad's 93.3% takedown defense enabled his championship reign. Jon Jones' 95.0% takedown defense let him implement striking gameplans against Olympic wrestlers.

Check defensive wrestling stats before betting:

• 95%+ takedown defense = elite, can force standup fights
• 85-94% takedown defense = solid, vulnerable to elite wrestlers
• Below 85% = exploitable, wrestlers will control them

When scouting method of victory odds, defensive wrestling determines if strikers can keep fights standing where their skills matter.

Common Wrestling Betting Mistakes

Stop doing these:

• Overvaluing college credentials without context. Division III All-American isn't the same as three-time D-I champion. Check the actual pedigree.
• Ignoring age with wrestlers. Wrestling relies on athleticism more than striking. Wrestlers decline faster after 35.
• Betting wrestlers against bigger, stronger opponents. Size matters in wrestling more than striking. Heavyweight wrestlers struggle against massive opponents even with better technique.
• Assuming all wrestlers have cardio. Some gas after two rounds. Check their five-round performances before betting championship distance.
• Forgetting defensive wrestling exists. Elite takedown defense (Jones, Belal) lets strikers nullify wrestling advantages.

The Khabib Legacy Continues

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired 29-0, never seriously threatened, dominant in every fight. Now his proteges carry the Dagestan system forward. Islam Makhachev holds two division titles. Umar Nurmagomedov challenges for bantamweight gold. If both maintain championship-level success, the Dagestan training model cements itself as the premier MMA development system globally.

Khabib's undefeated retirement established the blueprint: suffocating wrestling, relentless pressure, submission threats, never letting opponents breathe. His coaching now produces carbon copies with individual flair. That's why betting against Dagestan wrestlers requires clear stylistic advantages.

2026 Critical Wrestling Storylines

Bo Nickal's Championship Path: Most credentialed wrestler in UFC history faces his biggest test against Reinier de Ridder. Can he become middleweight champion? His striking development determines everything. Elite wrestling guarantees competitive fights; championship striking guarantees titles.

Merab's Volume Sustainability: Can he maintain his relentless pace into his mid-30s? His style requires exceptional cardio rarely sustainable past 35. At 34, his championship window might be narrower than people think.

Gable Steveson's UFC Arrival: Olympic gold medalist debuts June 14. Will he translate wrestling to MMA success? History says yes but his WWE detour (2021-2024) raises questions about fighting mentality versus entertainment.

Islam's Two-Division Reign: Can he defend both welterweight and lightweight titles? His wrestling translates perfectly to 170 but managing two divisions tests endurance. Shavkat Rakhmonov and Arman Tsarukyan rematch provide wrestling-based threats.

Wrestling wins fights. NCAA champions, Olympic medalists, and Dagestan grapplers control where fights happen and that's how you win rounds. Know who actually wrestled at elite levels, know whose cardio can sustain their pace, know whose defensive wrestling nullifies offensive threats. That's how you stop gambling and start cashing. F*ck spreadsheets, just know who can wrestle.

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