Top 7 Strongest New Zealand MMA Fighters of All Time

Mixed martial art (MMA) fights are so exciting that they cause a strong adrenaline rush. It’s one of those sports that leaves no one indifferent. No one can keep on just sitting and watching the fight. Did you know that MMA came from Australia? It’s a mixture of multidisciplinary sports that includes traditional martial arts, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kickboxing to mention a few.

However, this sport has gained an overwhelming popularity amongst the Kiwis. It was recognized as an official sport in March 2016. Its governing body is the New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NZMMAF) that issues laws and protocols which ensure safety of fighters.

MMA fighting caused a large spike in the betting industry. Kiwis love to wager on Adesanya, Hooker, and other famous players in the fastest payout online casino NZ. Moreover, the MMA players have become the leaders of public opinion. Players like Adesanya use their position in society to withstand racism that is promoted by the local bureaucracy. We've compiled a list of the most popular NZ MMA fighters of all time. Take a look at it.

1. Israel Adesanya

Despite his full name is Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya, this fighter is commonly referred to as Israel Adesanya. Undoubtedly, this guy is one of the most fantastic MMA fighters of all time. He was born on July 22, 1989, in Nigeria. Adesanya is a part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Aside from MMA, he also excels in boxing and kickboxing. His title is ‘UFC Middleweight Champion’.

He has also earned the title of ‘Glory Middleweight Championship’ in kickboxing. Furthermore, he has mastered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and got the ‘purple belt’ from the hands of Master André Galván. In kickboxing, Adesanya has won 75 out of a total of 80 matches played, and in MMA he has won 22 out of 23 matches. Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

As a child, he moved to New Zealand to live in the town of Wanganui near Aukland. He’s now billed from this region and fights out of New Zealand’s City Kickboxing. Since taking his place in the world of pro fighting, he has become an undefeated reigning UFC middleweight champion and won kickboxing gold in Glory. At 33 years old, Adesanya intends to cement his legacy in the world of MMA in and outside of New Zealand.

The bets on this fighter are incredibly popular at https://kiwidads.co.nz.

2. Dan Hooker

The full name of this fighter is Daniel Preston Hooker. But he is mostly known as Dan Hooker (The Hangman). This New Zealand athlete was born on February 13, 1990, in Auckland. His debut against Ian Entwistle took place on 28 June 2014 at UFC Fight Night 43.

He is considered one of the best MMA fighters in New Zealand. Known as the ‘King in the Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Champion’, he has gained the title of ‘WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion.

At this point, he is a part of the UFC’s lightweight division. His rank in UFC Lightweight Rankings is 8. He earned it in November 2021. IN MMA, he won 21 out of 32 total matches played. In kickboxing, he gained 9 wins out of 13 matches played.

3. Shane Young

Shane Karlarnee Young, also known in sporting circles as Shane Young, was born on July 31, 1993, in Napier, New Zealand. Maori descent, this MMA star attempts to prove that Maoris are a significant part of the sports society. This MMA fighter is part of the ‘Featherweight Division’ in the UFC. He holds the record of winning 13 matches out of the total of 19 matches.

4. Alexander Volkanovski

31-year-old Alexander Volkanovski is one of Adesanya’s teammates at City Kickboxing. He is also known as the current UFC featherweight champion. Volkanovski is from Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. He is on an 18-fight win streak and has won fights against Chad Mendes, Jose Aldo, and Max Holloway. Volkanovski continues to prove that he and Adesanya are true benchmarks of the region.

5. Megan Anderson

At the age of 30, Megan Anderson is in her prime. She is originally from the Gold Coast, Queensland. While entering her peak condition, the former Invicta FC featherweight champion intends to win gold in the UFC. She won the interim championship in Invicta by defeating Charmaine Tweet. Then she was promoted where she’d go on to defeat Cat Zingano. Not to say she is unstoppable in the UFC but Anderson shows what she’s made of.

6. Mark Hunt

No list of the best New Zealand MMA fighters would be complete without Mark Hunt, the kicking King of Kiwi. Hunt is now going to continue his career outside of the UF. He doesn’t have the best MMA record ever. Nevertheless, Hunt has earned fans’ respect with an exciting and fan-loved style. He is a part of the heavyweight division. What makes him such an icon is his overall skills in both MMA and kickboxing. Hunt has 43 wins between the two sports. Over the carrier, he defeated:

· Derrick Lewis,

· Frank Mir

· Antonio Silva

· Roy Nelson

· Cheick Kongo

· Mirko Cro Cop

· and others

7. Robert Whittaker

While Adesanya is considered undefeated, he’s only really started his way to the top of the UFC’s talent staircase. The only man who can withstand him is Robert Whittaker. Arguably the best in the region, he has a proven track record of wins and accolades. As a former Ultimate Fighter winner, he won the interim UFC middleweight championship by defeating Yoel Romero. After that, he was proclaimed an undisputed champion and then went on to win the fight with Romero again. He has defeated the following fighters during the nine-fight win streak:

· Ronaldo Souza

· Uriah Hall

· Derek Bunson

· and others

For sure, he’s not just a great fighter, he is a great man. He preferred to forgo a fight with Jared Cannonier at UFC 248. But he donated bone marrow to his daughter instead. Whittaker makes New Zealand proud of him in and out of the ring.