Top 5 MMA Fighters From Canada
Article By
Last Updated: 
Over the past three decades, Canada has produced an array of MMA talent. Here is a look at the best fighters to come out of Canada across the major organizations in the sport.
5. Joe Doerksen
After 67 fights in mixed martial arts, Joe Doerksen established himself as one of the poster boys for Canadian MMA and registered wins in the UFC, WEC, IFL, King of the Cage, Aggression Fighting Championship, World Victory Road, RINGS, SuperBrawl and DEEP.
Doerksen had three spells in the UFC, and he sits further down this list because he had nine fights in the world-leading MMA organization, winning just two.
On the other hand, Doerksen fought in three weight classes and won 51 of his 67 fights. Incredibly, 33 of those were via submission, and he remains one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists to come out of Canada.
“El Dirte” started his career in 1999, won his last four fights and retired in 2015.
Notable wins: Patrick Côté, Kalib Starnes, Tom Lawlor, Ed Herman.
4. Patrick Côté
As an Ultimate Fighter finalist and with 23 wins in 34 matches, Patrick Côté had 21 fights in the UFC and was well-known for his grappling ability. He has a black belt in Judo and jiu-jitsu.
The Canadian got one Fight of the Night award during that run, for his win over Josh Burkman, and two Knockout of the Night bonuses in a row for his excellent finishes over Drew McFedries and Kendall Grove.
Côté would lose his only middleweight title bout to Anderson Silva, but with 10 knockouts, three submission wins and nine via decision, few better fighters have come out of Canada.
Notable wins: Ben Saunders, Joe Riggs, Josh Burkman, Kendall Grove.
3. TJ Grant
TJ Grant called it quits on his seven-year MMA career in 2013 after winning 21 of his 26 fights, and his five-fight win streak to end his career will go down as one of the best runs from a Canadian MMA fighter.
Grant had 11 fights in the UFC and lost three, racking up two Knockout of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night award for his win over Evan Dunham.
Prior to the UFC, Grant amassed a 14-2 record from fights in seven MMA organizations around Canada.
Grant beat Gray Maynard in his final UFC fight and was due to face Benson Henderson for the UFC lightweight title as a result, but was forced out due to injury. In September 2013, Grant announced he was yet to be medically cleared after suffering a concussion in training and was removed from the UFC due to inactivity in 2014. He has not fought in MMA since.
Notable wins: Gray Maynard, Matt Wiman, Kevin Burns, Evan Dunham, Carlo Prater.
Here are the best Canadian players to play in the English Premier League over the years.
2. Rory MacDonald
Despite a tough time of things in his post-UFC career, Rory MacDonald is among the greatest MMA fighters to come out of Canada.
MacDonald is most known for his Fight of the Year bout with Robbie Lawler at UFC 189, but he also won the Bellator welterweight title against Douglas Lima and defended it in a draw with Jon Fitch and a unanimous decision win over Neiman Gracie.
WIth a 9-0 record before the UFC, MacDonald entered the organization as one of the most promising fighters coming out of Canada. He ended his MMA career with fights across lightweight, welterweight and even middleweight and won 23 of his 34 fights.
MacDonald was also the last man to beat the legendary Tyron Woodley before the latter's legendary seven-fight unbeaten run.
Notable wins: Neiman Gracie, Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, B.J. Penn, Nate Diaz.
1. Georges St-Pierre
There’s not even a debate when it comes to the best fighter to come out of Canada. The only argument is whether Georges St-Pierre is the best to ever do it in MMA.
In terms of overall martial arts skill, there's perhaps nobody better, as he received a black belt in jiu-jitsu, Shidōkan and Gaidojutsu and has a third dan black belt in Kyokushin karate.
He won countless individual awards for his performances in the UFC and holds a variety of records in the organization, such as most title defenses at welterweight (nine), and even came back after four years to beat Michael Bisping for the middleweight title. This also made him one of only four multi-divisional champions in UFC history.
Although St-Pierre lost twice, many would argue this makes him even better, as he avenged his two defeats in MMA by knocking out Matt Hughes and Matt Serra after losing to them both.
Notable wins: Matt Hughes (x2), Jason Miller, Matt Serra, Frank Trigg, B.J. Penn (x2), Josh Koscheck (x2), Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Michael Bisping, Nick Diaz, Dan Hardy.
Stay In The Loop With Industry News, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. News and Industry Updates. Sent Weekly.
Updated by
Last Updated:
