Sports

15 most overrated UFC fighters right now, ranked by AI

From rising stars to former champions, these UFC fighters have made headlines for their hype—but do they truly live up to it? An AI model recently ranked the 15 most overrated fighters in the UFC today, and the results are sparking serious debate among MMA fans. Here's a countdown from number 15 to the fighter AI rated as the most overrated in the promotion.

15. Dominick Reyes

Dominick Reyes
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Once seen as a future champion after pushing Jon Jones to the brink, Dominick Reyes has since suffered a sharp decline. A string of knockout losses and long layoffs have dimmed the shine of his early promise, placing him at the bottom of this AI-generated list.

14. Michel Pereira

Michel Pereira
Zamrznuti tonovi / Shutterstock.com

Brazilian showman Michel Pereira is known for his flashy style and acrobatic techniques, but critics argue that his performances often lack substance. While entertaining, his inconsistency in the Octagon has raised doubts about his long-term potential in the stacked welterweight division.

13. Johnny Walker

Johnny Walker
Brockmlesnarladf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Johnny Walker burst onto the UFC scene with wild knockouts and eccentric celebrations. However, as the competition level rose, his defensive flaws were exposed, and he's struggled to maintain momentum in the light heavyweight ranks.

Read also: Every Premier League club's biggest bogey team revealed

12. Kevin Holland

Kevin Holland
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Kevin Holland’s charisma and willingness to fight frequently have earned him fans, but his performances against top contenders have been underwhelming. Despite being a dangerous striker, questions remain about his takedown defense and ability to evolve.

11. Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum
Andre Luiz Moreira / Shutterstock.com

Kelvin Gastelum once nearly dethroned Israel Adesanya in a legendary bout, but since then, he's struggled with form and injuries. His talent is undeniable, yet his slide down the rankings and inconsistent showings have made many question his elite status.

10. Bryce Mitchell

Bryce Mitchell
instagram/thugnasty_ufc

Bryce Mitchell's rise was swift, but recent losses have exposed limitations in his game. A brutal knockout by Josh Emmett and a dominant loss to Ilia Topuria have taken the shine off his early undefeated streak, despite a recent bounce-back win.

9. Ian Machado Garry

Ian Machado Garry
Oisinvg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Irishman Ian Machado Garry boasts an impressive record, yet critics suggest his hype outweighs his resume. A close loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov ended his undefeated run, and while he remains a top contender, not everyone is convinced he’s title material.

Read also: The best wonderkids to sign in Football Manager 2026

8. Maycee Barber

UFC
NorthSky Films / Shutterstock.com

Maycee Barber has long been touted as a future champion, but her career has been marred by inconsistency and unfortunate setbacks. A high-profile withdrawal due to medical issues before UFC 301 didn’t help her case, and her top-five ranking in the flyweight division is hotly debated.

7. Tai Tuivasa

Tai Tuivasa
David S. Swierczek / Shutterstock.com

Tai Tuivasa is beloved for his post-fight shoeys and knockout power, but his current five-fight losing streak raises concerns. It's been over a year since his last win, and many feel the Aussie’s popularity exceeds his performances in the cage.

6. Bo Nickal

Bo Nickal
Howard Weiss / Shutterstock.com

A wrestling phenom turned MMA prospect, Bo Nickal hasn’t fully lived up to the massive expectations placed on him. Though he started strong, a rough outing against Reinier de Ridder exposed holes in his cardio and striking defense that need work.

5. Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa
Cassiano Correia / Shutterstock.com

Paulo Costa was once seen as the man to dethrone Israel Adesanya, but his decisive loss in that bout changed the narrative. With only two wins in his last six fights and frequent inactivity, Costa’s stock has fallen far below where it once stood.

Read also: Champions League 2025/26: The 15 best players ranked by performance

4. Colby Covington

Colby Covington
Cassiano Correia / Shutterstock.com

A former interim champion, Colby Covington has struggled to recapture his early success. Losses to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley have highlighted a decline in form, and his brash persona is now more memorable than his recent results.

3. Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev
By MMAnytt, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147675789

This one’s a shocker—Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated and dominant, yet the AI still labels him overrated. Concerns over his weight issues and injury history may be the reason, though few doubt his skills after dismantling Dricus du Plessis.

2. Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley
Optic Gaming, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

'Suga' Sean O’Malley dazzles with his striking and flair, but his back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili have reopened old criticisms. Despite his wins over Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling, some believe O’Malley struggles when grappling becomes the focus.

1. Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett
Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Topping the list is Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett—undeniably a fan favorite, but divisive among hardcore MMA followers. Though he’s secured big-name wins, critics argue they came against fighters past their prime. Still, his strong grappling and charisma keep him in the spotlight as he eyes a showdown with Ilia Topuria.

Read also: The 15 greatest football stadiums in the world, ranked from iconic to legendary

Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo opens up about Diogo Jota and President Trump