Dan Henderson Missed the Cut, But Aljamain Sterling's 14 Wins Are Shaking Up All-Time UFC Rankings

Get ready, fight fans! Because this Sunday, UFC Freedom 250 is hitting the South Lawn of the White House, and trust me, the spotlight has NEVER been bigger on the Octagon. To celebrate America's 250th birthday, the folks over at CBS Sports dropped their list of the 25 best American fighters in UFC history, and while some names are absolutely deserved, there are a few shocks that'll have you screaming at your phone!

The Octagon's Unsung Heroes Get Their Due

This list wasn't about who had the best overall career, it was all about what these warriors did inside the UFC cage. They factored in legacy, raw accomplishments, pure innovation, and yeah, a little bit of "vibes," but only what happened in the UFC counted. That's why some legendary names you might expect, like Dan Henderson, didn't make the cut for this specific list. It's a tough pill to swallow for some, but the focus was razor-sharp on UFC achievements. And hey, Max Holloway, an absolute fan favorite, was accidentally left out at first, but thankfully, they fixed that oversight. This ranking system makes for some wild takes, and we are here for it.

From Wrestling Mat to Octagon Glory: Dan Severn's Wild Ride

Coming in at number 25 is "The Beast" himself, Dan Severn. This dude was the original wrestling phenom to blow up the Octagon, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and a two-time Olympic alternate. After dropping a heartbreaker to Royce Gracie in the UFC 4 finals, Severn went on an absolute tear, winning the very next tournament and then taking home the 1995 Ultimate Ultimate tournament. We're talking wins over serious competition like Oleg Taktarov, twice, Dave Beneteau, Paul Varelans, and Tank Abbott. And get this: he even avenged a prior superfight championship loss against Ken Shamrock at UFC 9, in a fight that was legitimately "truly terrible" because of emergency rules. He lost the first UFC heavyweight title fight to Mark Coleman at UFC 12, but by then, he had absolutely stamped his place in UFC history. What a legend!

The Sterling Standard: Bantamweight King Still Climbing

And then you got Aljamain Sterling, still building his incredible legacy but already cracking the top 25 at number 24! This guy is a certified UFC bantamweight champion, and he's defended that belt three times. Not only that, but Sterling has racked up 14 wins, making him the most in... well, the most in what's listed here, and that's just a crazy stat for a guy who's still in his prime! He's got a solid case to be even higher on this list as his career unfolds. This ranking is a shout-out to his dominance and what he's already accomplished.

So, as we gear up for UFC Freedom 250, get ready for some history-making fights, because if these rankings tell us anything, it's that legends are forged, legacies are built, and the Octagon is where true American grit shines brightest! Don't miss it, Seattle!

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.