Top UFC Fighters Who Could Thrive in Professional Boxing: A Closer Look

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) draws in all fighters, from boxers to MMA fighters. UFC lets them test their various fighting moves, including grapples, kicks, and punches. That variety led to the surge of popularity for UFC. But, one fighting style stands out above all in UFC: boxing.

The best boxers in UFC excel with their refined fighting style. They focus on finesse and nuance more than raw power. That lets boxing enthusiasts enjoy UFC as much as an MMA enthusiast. Also, that lets UFC fighters learn and practice boxing skills so they can join boxing. Here are the best boxers in UFC who can have a professional boxing career.

Comparing UFC to Boxing

UFC vs. Boxing

UFC began as a mixed martial arts (MMA) sport where violence and bloodshed are normal. That is because the UFC wants as many turnovers and wild fights that look like street fighting. That spectacle is what attracts the viewers and makes fights memorable. But, that also increases the chance of serious injury, which makes some fights short. In comparison, boxers rarely get to draw blood and hurt opponents like MMA fighters. Box, which is often called the gentleman’s sport, can still lead to injuries, but they are lesser. Here are the two biggest reasons why UFC vs. boxing fights differ so much.

Equipment

Boxers rarely get to draw blood and hurt their opponents like MMA fighters do. They also wear more protection for themselves. That is because of the gloves. Boxers use thicker gloves, weighing 500 grams or more, which soften punches. In the UFC, gloves weigh 150–230 grams, which depends on the type of fight. The thin UFC gloves can also lead to the puncher breaking his or her fingers by throwing a punch. If you’re wondering why Jiri Procházka punches a tree 500 times a day, it is to toughen his fingers. As the finger bones get broken, they heal and become tougher.

Rules

The biggest difference between UFC and boxing are the rules. We all know the saying “punch below the belt” to mean “illegal move.” That phrase comes from boxing because there is no punching below the belt there. When a boxer breaks the rules, the penalties are severe. In 1997, Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear twice. He lost his boxing license for 1 year and got a $3mm fine. Compare that to UFC, where fighters can and do kick each other in the shins, which are sensitive to pain. In the UFC, there are rules too, but they are much more open to referee interpretation. For example, the official UFC rules recommend that referees deduct a point for biting. Even the best boxers in UFC who want to turn professional need to forget the UFC rules and learn boxing rules.

Best Boxers in UFC

Max Holloway

• UFC Record: 26 wins, 7 losses (12 knockouts)
• Fighting Style: Expert in stand-up fighting and distance control.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: High due to his excellent striking technique.

Max Holloway has exceptional punching power that marks him as one of the best boxers in UFC. In April 2024, he knocked out Justin Gaethje with one second on the clock. The Max Holloway knockout sent shockwaves through the UFC community. The UFC chief, Dana White, called it one of the greatest UFC moments ever. Max also holds the record for most strikes landed in a UFC fight. It was in 2021 versus Calvin Kattar, with the fight producing 447 strikes. That marked Max as one of the top UFC strikers.

Dustin Poirier

• UFC Record: 30 wins, 9 losses, 1 no contest (15 knockouts)
• Fighting Style: Aggressive stand-up combat with strong boxing skills.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: High due to powerful and accurate punching.

Dustin Poirier started fighting in 2009 in Louisiana, reaching a 7-0 record. Part of his stellar career is in the “Fightville” documentary. Dustin Poirier’s record shows he is a promising UFC fighter. He is among the best boxers in UFC. Watching him is a true pleasure and a source of quality entertainment. It can only get better if betting on his fights in the bonus casino.

Conor McGregor

• UFC Record: 22 wins, 6 losses (19 knockouts)
• Fighting Style: Outstanding boxing, particularly effective with his left hook.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: Already debuted against Floyd Mayweather.

Conor McGregor has a slew of champion titles to prove his boxing worth. But, despite being among the best boxers in UFC, his fitness is not all that great. He lost in 2021 to Dustin Poirier in the first round after breaking his tibia. The Conor McGregor record shows he wanted another fight in 2024, but then he broke his toe before the fight. His story is a stark warning to all UFC famous fighters who might want to move to boxing. Boxing training for UFC fighters takes a lot of patience and strategy.

Alex Pereira

• UFC Record: 11 wins, 2 losses (9 knockouts).
• Fighting Style: Predominantly a striker, only using his kickboxing experience in stand-up exchanges.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: Moderate due to his striking speed and knockout power.

Alex Pereira started his career as a kickboxer. He racked up 33 wins and 7 losses (21 knockouts) in kickboxing. He continued that in his UFC career, but also added some punching knockouts. The most recent punching knockout he did was in April 2024 versus Jamahal Hill. The fight ended in the first round in 3:14 after Alex’s distance punch to Jamahal’s head. Alex still has more than enough time to become among the best boxers in UFC, if he keeps developing.

Israel Adesanya

• UFC Record: 24 wins, 4 losses (15 knockouts)
• Fighting Style: Superb stand-up fighting, excellent at dodging attacks.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: High due to excellent striking and dodging technique.

Israel Adesanya is one of the rare people who can punch out Alex Pereira. In April 2023, Israel knocked the lights out of Alex with a distance punch to the head. Israel Adesanya’s record shows that he prefers a punching knockout. That is why he is one of the best boxers in UFC.

Transition to Professional Boxing

Old habits die hard, which is also true for UFC fighters with boxing background. When they want to move beyond being UFC boxers, they must learn new skills. They must also forget about the old skills, such as grappling and choking as well as kicking. Everything from rules to equipment will feel different to them, so they must work on adapting. They need to find a proper boxing coach who sees their potential. They might have been the best boxers in UFC, but boxing is a different sport.

Brandon Moreno is a great example of a non-boxer in UFC. Brandon Moreno’s record is 21 wins, 8 losses, 2 no contest (5 knockouts). Brandon has a black belt in jiu-jitsu and it shows in the low number of knockouts. He prefers to kick or choke his opponents to submission. If he wanted to transition to become one of the best boxers in UFC, he would have to work hard. First, he would have to work on his stance and his punching, as well as his defense. Then, his boxing coach would teach him how to weave his punches through the opponent’s defense. In the end, Brandon would have to look into boxing promotions and UFC fighters to get his chance.

Case Study: Francis Ngannou

• UFC Record: 17 wins, 3 losses (12 knockouts)
• Fighting Style: Extremely powerful striker capable of ending fights with a single punch.
• Chances of a Boxing Career: Has shown success in professional boxing.
• Had 2 impressive fights in pro boxing, both of them defeated, but looked very impressive especially against Tyson Fury. However, was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in the second.

If you’re wondering “who is the best boxer in the UFC,” the answer should be clear. Francis Ngannou makes all the other best boxers in UFC pale in comparison. This Cameroonian is 37 years old, but he is in his boxing prime. Nicknamed “The Predator,” Francis left the UFC due to a knee injury for two years. When he came back, he picked up boxing. He did lose twice so far, but we’re all hoping he can reignite his old form. That would be a story worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Francis Ngannou has an arm reach of 83 inches, giving him a tactical punching advantage. But, the same as with McGregor, his legs are his weak point. His footwork is not that great, and after the injury, it will get even worse. Ngannou injured his knee in 2022, which he later said did not affect his meniscus. That means he should be ready for his October 2024 fight versus Renan Ferreira. That fight should be a huge case study for all the MMA boxers. If they want to become one of the best boxers in UFC, they must study boxing footwork, not only boost their raw power.

Moving From UFC to Boxing

UFC fighters with boxing background need a lot of work before they can move to boxing. They might be the best boxers in UFC, but boxing takes a different skill set. Still, there is hope for their professional boxing debut. They need to take care of their footwork and leg injuries. Then, they can transition from UFC to professional boxing.